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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What is the significance of Jimmy knowing how long ago the restaurant closed?
(a) It confirms Bob's characterization of him as a lover of New York City.
(b) It characterizes him as an observant police officer.
(c) It foreshadows his identity.
(d) It creates dramatic irony.

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

4. 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.

5. Where does the plainclothes officer pretending to be Jimmy tell Bob that he works?
(a) He is in business downtown.
(b) He is a police officer.
(c) He owns a nearby restaurant.
(d) He works for the city of New York.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. Why did Bob leave New York?
(a) He and Jimmy got into a fight.
(b) He was wanted by the police.
(c) He fell in love with a girl from Chicago.
(d) He hoped to make money in the West.

15. What aspect of his success does Bob take particular pride in?
(a) Succeeding in an industry where many others have failed.
(b) Competing against and outwitting clever people.
(c) Starting as an "underdog" and coming out on top.
(d) Using his wealth to improve other people's lives.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many years separate Bob and Jimmy?

2. How did the police discover that Bob was in New York?

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

4. What is a logical inference based on the way the officer is twirling his baton?

5. At what time of night are Bob and Jimmy supposed to meet?

(see the answer keys)

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