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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What regret does the plainclothes officer express while he is pretending to be Jimmy?
(a) That he does not have a long time to talk.
(b) That he did not accompany Bob out West.
(c) That the restaurant is closed.
(d) That he and Bob lost track of one another.

2. The narrator says, on page 619, that something has "well nigh depeopled the streets." In this context, what does the phrase "well nigh" mean?
(a) Completely.
(b) Come very close to.
(c) Slowly.
(d) Tried and failed to.

3. What effect does the officer tell Bob that time can have?
(a) It can make a person realize what is really important.
(b) It can give a man something new to be loyal to.
(c) It can gradually erase the feeling of friendship.
(d) It can change a good man into a bad man.

4. What duty is the police officer performing in the opening of the story?
(a) Checking doors to make sure they are locked.
(b) Enforcing the city's curfew.
(c) Enforcing the city's noise ordinance.
(d) Searching for a wanted criminal.

5. What does Bob do while he waits for Jimmy?
(a) Counts his money.
(b) Polishes his scarfpin.
(c) Hums a song.
(d) Smokes his cigar.

6. What does the narrator say causes Bob to tell officer about his career in the West?
(a) He is trying to fill an awkward silence.
(b) The officer asks him about it.
(c) His suspicions about the officer's identity.
(d) His ego.

7. Why are so few businesses open on the street where the officer is?
(a) The city curfew means there are few customers.
(b) It is past midnight.
(c) The area is very poor.
(d) The businesses keep early hours.

8. What is it reasonable to infer is the officer's motive in listening to Bob "with interest" (621)?
(a) Bob might reveal evidence.
(b) The officer is pretending to be Jimmy.
(c) The officer is a curious person.
(d) Bob is an interesting speaker.

9. On page 621, how does the plainclothes officer refer to his meeting with Bob?
(a) As "unbelievable."
(b) As "a relief."
(c) As "ironic."
(d) As "fate."

10. On page 621, how does the reader learn that the first police officer was actually Jimmy?
(a) Jimmy himself explains his identity.
(b) The plainclothes officer reveals his true identity to Bob.
(c) The narrator describes "the patrolman" waiting around the corner as his "oldest friend" is arrested.
(d) The plainclothes officer refers to him as "Patrolman Wells."

11. What is the first thing that Bob notices about the plainclothes officer he thinks is Jimmy?
(a) The man seems to be trying to hide his face.
(b) The man is taller than he thought Jimmy was.
(c) The man does not seem to recognize the nickname that Bob gave Jimmy.
(d) The man's voice is lower than he remember's Jimmy's being.

12. How far does Bob say he traveled in order to meet with Jimmy?
(a) 500 miles.
(b) 200 miles.
(c) 2,000 miles.
(d) 1,000 miles.

13. What does the plainclothes officer hand to Bob?
(a) The "Wanted" poster with his face on it.
(b) A card with his Miranda rights printed on it.
(c) A note from Jimmy.
(d) An arrest warrant.

14. Who is the author of "After Twenty Years"?
(a) O. Henry.
(b) Henry James.
(c) Katherine Anne Porter.
(d) Edith Wharton.

15. What is a logical inference based on the way the officer is twirling his baton?
(a) He is in a good mood.
(b) He is bored.
(c) He is trying to impress people.
(d) He is expecting trouble.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jimmy notice about the pin of Bob's scarf?

2. What causes the officer to suddenly slow down?

3. What reason does the waiting man give the police officer for his presence?

4. What hope does Bob express about Jimmy?

5. What is the clearest purpose of describing the plainclothes officer as "submerged in his overcoat" (621)?

(see the answer keys)

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