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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What causes the few pedestrians around to hurry "dismally" past Bob (621)?
(a) The weather has gotten worse.
(b) Bob's obvious wealth.
(c) It is almost time for the last businesses to close.
(d) Bob is a suspicious-seeming person.

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

3. What detail reveals Bob's emotions when he discovers that Jimmy has betrayed him?
(a) His hand shakes.
(b) He curses Jimmy and their friendship.
(c) He lunges at the plainclothes officer.
(d) He begins to weep.

4. What does the narrator mean by the description of the police officer's impressiveness as "habitual and not for show"?
(a) The police officer knows that people are watching him.
(b) The police officer is stuck in a rut and always does things the same way.
(c) The police officer is not trying to show off.
(d) The police officer is a humble and modest person.

5. What does Jimmy notice about the pin of Bob's scarf?
(a) It contains a large diamond.
(b) It has been reported as stolen property.
(c) It is the one that he gave Bob 20 years ago.
(d) It is made from mother-of-pearl.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of the story, what motive for his deception does Jimmy reveal?

2. How far does Bob say he traveled in order to meet with Jimmy?

3. Who is the author of "After Twenty Years"?

4. What hope does Bob express about Jimmy?

5. Bob's eyes are described as "keen" (620). What does this description of his eyes communicate about his character?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is amusing about the plainclothes officer's answer to Bob's question about whether he is doing well in New York?

2. What is the significance of the similarities and differences in the ways that Bob's and the plainclothes officer's faces are revealed?

3. Why does Bob guess that Jimmy might not be as much of a success as Bob himself has become?

4. In the story's beginning, what evidence is there that Jimmy takes pride in his job?

5. What were the circumstances of the agreement Jimmy and Bob made 20 years ago?

6. What surprises Bob about the appearance of the man that he thinks is his old friend, and how does the man explain away Bob's doubts?

7. What is ironic about the way that Bob describes his old friend to the "policeman" he encounters?

8. How did Bob and Jimmy know one another, 20 years ago?

9. How does the introduction of Bob's character contrast with the introduction of Jimmy's character?

10. How is Bob characterized by the accessories that he carries?

(see the answer keys)

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