You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. what does that mean?

The goal of __ painters was not to make a photographic representation of a subject, but to capture the impression of a particular moment in time a) still artist b) realist c) impressionist

Which phrase most closely matches the meaning of the word pleasantries in this excerpt from susan glaspell's trifles? county attorney: (as one turning from serious things to little pleasantries) well ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it? a. tea cakes b. trivial talk c. foolish actions d. childish behavior

Compare moishe as he is described at the begginning of the memoir with moishe after his escape from death in the forest