TASK DEFINITION: You will be given a trivia clue, and the category it belongs to. You should answer with the best answer that belongs in the category and is described by the clue. For simplicity, answers should be in all lower cased letters.
PROBLEM: Category: HISTORIC NOVELS 
Clue: In a 2002 novel this author of the "North and South" trilogy told the history of "Charleston"

SOLUTION: jakes

PROBLEM: Category: DOCUMENTARIES 
Clue: This highly acclaimed 1994 film followed two inner-city youths who hoped one day to play in the NBA

SOLUTION: hoop dreams

PROBLEM: Category: INVENTORS & INVENTIONS 
Clue: In 1935 Professor Arnold Beckman introduced an electronic type of this meter to measure acidity

SOLUTION:
a ph meter