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

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

3. 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.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is it reasonable to infer is the officer's motive in listening to Bob "with interest" (621)?

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

3. How long does Bob wait for Jimmy after he speaks with the police officer?

4. What does the narrator mean by the description of the police officer's impressiveness as "habitual and not for show"?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. 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?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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