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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. 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 a curious person.
(c) The officer is pretending to be Jimmy.
(d) Bob is an interesting speaker.

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

5. Which element of the physical description of the plainclothes officer functions as foreshadowing?
(a) His hat.
(b) His height.
(c) His voice.
(d) The color of his overcoat.

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

7. What reason does the waiting man give the police officer for his presence?
(a) He thought that the business would be open.
(b) He is lost.
(c) He is trying to stay out of the rain.
(d) He is waiting for a friend.

8. What can logically be inferred about Jimmy's question about whether Bob and Jimmy kept in touch?
(a) He is unsure if the man he is talking to really is his old friend.
(b) He does not remember when the last time he heard from Bob was.
(c) He wonders why Bob stopped writing to him.
(d) He wants to know if Bob realizes that he deliberately stopped writing to him.

9. What causes the officer to suddenly slow down?
(a) The streetlight has gone out.
(b) One of the businesses has an unlocked door.
(c) He sees Bob.
(d) He sees a wanted criminal.

10. In his explanation of what has happened, what is the first thing that Jimmy wants to be sure Bob knows?
(a) He has no sympathy for criminals.
(b) He showed up for their meeting on time.
(c) He still considers Bob his best friend.
(d) He truly struggled with the decision to turn Bob in.

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

12. What kind of street is a "pacific thoroughfare" (619)?
(a) Peaceful.
(b) Ominous.
(c) Crowded.
(d) Wet.

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

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

15. At the end of the story, what motive for his deception does Jimmy reveal?
(a) He could not face being the one to actually arrest Bob.
(b) He wanted time to think about what the right thing to do was.
(c) He needed time to check the picture on the "Wanted" poster.
(d) He was embarrassed for Bob to know that he is now a police officer.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can logically be inferred about Bob and Jimmy's friendship?

2. What regret does the plainclothes officer express while he is pretending to be Jimmy?

3. What is the only reason that Bob can imagine Jimmy not showing up?

4. What does Bob's nickname turn out to be?

5. What does the plainclothes officer hand to Bob?

(see the answer keys)

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