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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Hickock and Smith went out on the boat, who did not go into the water?

2. Which of the Clutter children did the town believe to be a genius?

3. How did Smith expect to get the money to pay back everyone he and Hickock had conned?

4. From which of the following does it say in the book that Herb abstained from?

5. Which term best describes the evidence upon which the case could be built after Dewey first took over the investigation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Smith say he cut Mr. Clutter's throat?

2. Why did Hickock study law while he awaited his execution?

3. What convinced Hickock to take Smith along as a partner to complete the murders?

4. Why did Smith and Hickock's lawyer's think they could keep their clients from being hung?

5. Why were the Christmas holidays hard on Bobby Rupp?

6. What was the last thing Capote describes Nancy as doing before her death?

7. Explain some of the details of Smith's dream.

8. Why did the court assign lawyers for Smith and Hickcock?

9. What characteristics were the same about each of the victims, relating to the manner in which they were killed?

10. Once in Florida, what was the only dream Smith felt he had left?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how events in the story could be equated with the mentality of a lynch mob. Be sure to use supporting details from the text in your description.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay describing journalistic integrity. Include supporting details from this book which both support Capote as having a journalistic integrity and deny his journalistic integrity.

Essay Topic 3

If you were Capote, would you have written the book in the same way or would you have been more factual? Support your decision.

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This section contains 666 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample