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

2. Before Jimmy leaves Bob, what question does he ask him?
(a) He asks Bob to tell him exactly how he made his money.
(b) He asks if Bob still considers Jimmy his best friend.
(c) He asks whether Bob ever spent time in Chicago.
(d) He asks whether Bob is going to keep waiting for Jimmy.

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

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

5. What does Bob's nickname turn out to be?
(a) "Bully" Bob.
(b) "Slippery" Bob.
(c) "Silky" Bob.
(d) "Betting" Bob.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many years separate Bob and Jimmy?

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

3. According to Bob, why did Jimmy stay in New York?

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

5. Which element of the physical description of the plainclothes officer functions as foreshadowing?

Short Essay Questions

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

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. Describe the story's opening moments, including its setting.

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

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

6. Why does Jimmy, in his role as the police officer, ask Bob if he is going to keep waiting for his friend to show up?

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

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

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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