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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the purpose of mentioning that everyone who passes Bob has their coat collar turned up?
(a) It underscores that New York is an unfriendly place.
(b) It implies that most people have something to hide.
(c) It makes the plainclothes' officer's choice to do the same thing seem less suspicious.
(d) It explains why Bob does not see Jimmy clearly.

2. On page 621, Bob uses the slang word "bully." What does this word mean in the context of the story?
(a) Excellent, wonderful.
(b) A great person, usually a male friend.
(c) Someone cruel and threatening.
(d) Someone who uses force to get their way.

3. How does the plainclothes officer get Bob to walk with him?
(a) He arrests him.
(b) He shows him the note from Jimmy.
(c) He says that he lives nearby and they can go have a drink at his apartment.
(d) He tells him they will go somewhere close by and talk about old times.

4. What is the clearest purpose of describing the plainclothes officer as "submerged in his overcoat" (621)?
(a) Establishing atmosphere.
(b) Developing characterization.
(c) Providing foreshadowing.
(d) Amplifying conflict.

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

6. Bob's eyes are described as "keen" (620). What does this description of his eyes communicate about his character?
(a) He is cold and analytical.
(b) He is unethical.
(c) He is mentally alert.
(d) He is carefree.

7. What finally reveals the plainclothes officer's face?
(a) The headlights of an approaching police car.
(b) The flame from a match.
(c) A streetlight.
(d) The light from an open business.

8. What does Jimmy notice about Bob's pocket watch?
(a) It has a suspicious dent in its case.
(b) It is not set to the correct time.
(c) It is made of solid gold.
(d) It is covered with diamonds.

9. What is the only reason that Bob can imagine Jimmy not showing up?
(a) He has forgotten Bob.
(b) He is dead.
(c) He no longer lives in New York.
(d) He cannot get away from work.

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

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

12. How many years separate Bob and Jimmy?
(a) 6.
(b) 4.
(c) 0.
(d) 2.

13. Why have the two men set this particular meeting time?
(a) It was the time that they said goodbye 20 years ago.
(b) It was the time they met for dinner 20 years ago.
(c) It was the time that they both used to get off of work 20 years ago.
(d) It was the time that the restaurant's band used to begin to play.

14. Why are there so few people on the streets?
(a) The weather is unpleasant.
(b) It is very late.
(c) There is a curfew.
(d) There are no open businesses nearby.

15. According to Bob, why did Jimmy stay in New York?
(a) He loved New York too much to leave it.
(b) He did not want to leave his family behind.
(c) He had a very limited imagination.
(d) He was scared to move somewhere unknown.

Short Answer Questions

1. What causes the few pedestrians around to hurry "dismally" past Bob (621)?

2. What does the narrator mean by the description of the police officer's impressiveness as "habitual and not for show"?

3. What detail reveals Bob's emotions when he discovers that Jimmy has betrayed him?

4. What is logical to infer about the officer asking about Bob's identity "doubtfully" (621)?

5. The narrator says, on page 619, that something has "well nigh depeopled the streets." In this context, what does the phrase "well nigh" mean?

(see the answer keys)

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