View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. At what time of night are Bob and Jimmy supposed to meet?
(a) Midnight.
(b) 10 p.m.
(c) 9 p.m.
(d) 11 p.m.

3. What is logical to infer about the officer asking about Bob's identity "doubtfully" (621)?
(a) He wants to seem like he is not already sure of Bob's identity.
(b) He is not sure that he and Jimmy are doing the right thing.
(c) He is an insecure and hesitant person.
(d) He does not fully trust Jimmy Wells.

4. What reason does the waiting man give the police officer for his presence?
(a) He is lost.
(b) He is trying to stay out of the rain.
(c) He is waiting for a friend.
(d) He thought that the business would be open.

5. What is the purpose of mentioning that everyone who passes Bob has their coat collar turned up?
(a) It makes the plainclothes' officer's choice to do the same thing seem less suspicious.
(b) It underscores that New York is an unfriendly place.
(c) It implies that most people have something to hide.
(d) It explains why Bob does not see Jimmy clearly.

6. At the end of the story, what motive for his deception does Jimmy reveal?
(a) He wanted time to think about what the right thing to do was.
(b) He needed time to check the picture on the "Wanted" poster.
(c) He was embarrassed for Bob to know that he is now a police officer.
(d) He could not face being the one to actually arrest Bob.

7. How many years separate Bob and Jimmy?
(a) 2.
(b) 4.
(c) 0.
(d) 6.

8. In his explanation of what has happened, what is the first thing that Jimmy wants to be sure Bob knows?
(a) He still considers Bob his best friend.
(b) He truly struggled with the decision to turn Bob in.
(c) He showed up for their meeting on time.
(d) He has no sympathy for criminals.

9. When Bob describes Jimmy as the "staunchest" man in the world, what does this show that Bob believes about Jimmy?
(a) He is emotional.
(b) He is loyal.
(c) He is ethical.
(d) He is persistent.

10. What causes the few pedestrians around to hurry "dismally" past Bob (621)?
(a) Bob's obvious wealth.
(b) The weather has gotten worse.
(c) Bob is a suspicious-seeming person.
(d) It is almost time for the last businesses to close.

11. Who is the author of "After Twenty Years"?
(a) Katherine Anne Porter.
(b) Henry James.
(c) O. Henry.
(d) Edith Wharton.

12. On page 621, Bob uses the slang word "bully." What does this word mean in the context of the story?
(a) A great person, usually a male friend.
(b) Excellent, wonderful.
(c) Someone who uses force to get their way.
(d) Someone cruel and threatening.

13. Why have the two men set this particular meeting time?
(a) It was the time they met for dinner 20 years ago.
(b) It was the time that the restaurant's band used to begin to play.
(c) It was the time that they both used to get off of work 20 years ago.
(d) It was the time that they said goodbye 20 years ago.

14. What does Bob's nickname turn out to be?
(a) "Slippery" Bob.
(b) "Silky" Bob.
(c) "Betting" Bob.
(d) "Bully" Bob.

15. How long does Bob wait for Jimmy after he speaks with the police officer?
(a) 10 minutes.
(b) 15 minutes.
(c) 5 minutes.
(d) 20 minutes.

Short Answer Questions

1. What criticism does Bob have for New York itself?

2. What does Jimmy notice about Bob's pocket watch?

3. Why are so few businesses open on the street where the officer is?

4. What is the significance of Jimmy knowing how long ago the restaurant closed?

5. What does the narrator mean by the description of the police officer's impressiveness as "habitual and not for show"?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 729 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample