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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. On page 621, Bob uses the slang word "bully." What does this word mean in the context of the story?

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

3. What hope does Bob express about Jimmy?

4. What does Jimmy notice about the pin of Bob's scarf?

5. Why have the two men set this particular meeting time?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

4. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about diction in "After Twenty Years." Be sure that your essay goes beyond labeling types of diction and noting the effect of particular word choices; you should establish a claim in the beginning of your essay about the significance of patterns of diction choices to the meaning or impact of the text as a whole. Use quoted textual evidence to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about the beliefs about friendship and loyalty conveyed by "After Twenty Years." Use textual evidence to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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