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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 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 not trying to show off.
(c) The police officer is stuck in a rut and always does things the same way.
(d) The police officer is a humble and modest person.

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

3. Why did Bob leave New York?
(a) He hoped to make money in the West.
(b) He and Jimmy got into a fight.
(c) He fell in love with a girl from Chicago.
(d) He was wanted by the police.

4. Why are there so few people on the streets?
(a) There is a curfew.
(b) There are no open businesses nearby.
(c) It is very late.
(d) The weather is unpleasant.

5. What causes the officer to suddenly slow down?
(a) One of the businesses has an unlocked door.
(b) The streetlight has gone out.
(c) He sees a wanted criminal.
(d) He sees Bob.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. When Bob describes Jimmy as the "staunchest" man in the world, what does this show that Bob believes about Jimmy?

3. In his explanation of what has happened, what is the first thing that Jimmy wants to be sure Bob knows?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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