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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. Which investigator was personal friends with the murder victims?

2. What was wrong with Smith's mother?

3. Why was Hickock sure that Smith would not have any problem with committing the murder?

4. Why did Smith and Hickock sell their stolen car in Mexico?

5. Smith had a premonition that what awaited both he and Hickock?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Nancy Clutter admired for her energy and industry?

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

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

4. Why did Smith give Mrs. Meier an old photograph of himself when he was sixteen?

5. What did Smith and Hickock do right after the Cutter murders?

6. What did Smith's premonitions say to him?

7. Since childhood, what reoccured for Smith?

8. What role did Dewey think the newly acquired life insurance policy had on the murder?

9. On what did the doctor blame much of Smith's mental health damage?

10. Why did Smith and Hickock head for the post office when they finally made it back to Las Vegas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Use Capote's detailed description of the execution to write an essay on descriptive language and its effects on the reader. Include personal feelings and reactions as you read this portion of the text.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the problem or main conflict existing for Smith within this book. Explain in detail how this conflict was or was not resolved.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing how the author's attempts to increase the reader's sympathy for Smith. Be sure to include both details specifically from the text and personal responses to the author's words to support your essay.

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This section contains 637 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample