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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 kind of street is a "pacific thoroughfare" (619)?
(a) Peaceful.
(b) Ominous.
(c) Crowded.
(d) Wet.

2. What does Bob mean when he describes Jimmy as a "plodder" (620)?
(a) Jimmy is a steady person but not creative or quick.
(b) Jimmy is a kind person but not very bright.
(c) Jimmy is ethical but can also be judgmental.
(d) Jimmy is loyal but can also be stubborn.

3. What does Bob do while he waits for Jimmy?
(a) Polishes his scarfpin.
(b) Smokes his cigar.
(c) Counts his money.
(d) Hums a song.

4. What causes Bob to realize that the plainclothes officer is not Jimmy?
(a) His hair color.
(b) His teeth.
(c) His nose.
(d) His eye color.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What is logical to infer about the officer asking about Bob's identity "doubtfully" (621)?

4. What duty is the police officer performing in the opening of the story?

5. What is the only reason that Bob can imagine Jimmy not showing up?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the plainclothes officer tells Bob "We'll go around to a place I know of, and have a good long talk about old times," (621), what does he mean, and what does Bob likely think he means?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. 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?

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

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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