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

2. What can logically be inferred about Bob and Jimmy's friendship?
(a) It meant more to Bob than to Jimmy.
(b) It began when they were quite young.
(c) They are related by blood.
(d) They met in college.

3. When Bob describes Jimmy as the "staunchest" man in the world, what does this show that Bob believes about Jimmy?
(a) He is emotional.
(b) He is loyal.
(c) He is persistent.
(d) He is ethical.

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

5. The police officer's is described as "stalwart" (619). What kind of man does this mean he is?
(a) Handsome, eye-catching.
(b) Stubborn, opinionated.
(c) Ignorant, slow, animalistic.
(d) Strong, sturdy, brave.

Short Answer Questions

1. Before Jimmy leaves Bob, what question does he ask him?

2. What reason does the waiting man give the police officer for his presence?

3. What aspect of his success does Bob take particular pride in?

4. Why did Bob leave New York?

5. What is the purpose of mentioning that everyone who passes Bob has their coat collar turned up?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. What does the note from Jimmy explain to Bob?

5. What causes Bob to finally realize that the plainclothes officer is not Jimmy Wells?

6. What is appropriate about the plainclothes officer greeting Bob with the line "It's Bob, sure as fate" (621)?

7. What is the effect of the passage depicting Bob continuing to wait in the doorway as it begins to rain?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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