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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. Why did Bob leave New York?

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

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

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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 does the note from Jimmy explain to Bob?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about the role of setting in "After Twenty Years." Use textual evidence to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that analyzes O. Henry's use of wit in "After Twenty Years." Be sure that you understand the literary definition of "wit" and that you clearly tie O. Henry's use of wit to his goals as a writer in this story. Support your claims with quoted textual evidence.

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.

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