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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the plainclothes officer get Bob to walk with him?

2. What distinguishing feature does Bob have on his face?

3. What causes the officer to suddenly slow down?

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

5. What regret does the plainclothes officer express while he is pretending to be Jimmy?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that explores the significance of Jimmy's note at the end of "After Twenty Years." How does it advance the plot? How does it add entertainment value to the story? Is it congruous with the earlier characterization of Jimmy? How does it impact theme? Support your ideas with evidence from the text, including quoted evidence from the letter itself.

Essay Topic 2

O. Henry clearly admired New York City police officers. His stories hold them up as examples of humble servants of the public good. Research "Tammany Hall" and then write an essay comparing O. Henry's police officers with the historical reality. Cite all sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that uses psychological research to defend a thesis about environment and morality. Be sure to cite your sources in MLA format.

(see the answer keys)

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