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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the narrator say causes Bob to tell officer about his career in the West?
(a) He is trying to fill an awkward silence.
(b) His suspicions about the officer's identity.
(c) The officer asks him about it.
(d) His ego.

2. What causes Bob to realize that the plainclothes officer is not Jimmy?
(a) His eye color.
(b) His nose.
(c) His hair color.
(d) His teeth.

3. What can logically be inferred about Bob and Jimmy's friendship?
(a) It began when they were quite young.
(b) It meant more to Bob than to Jimmy.
(c) They are related by blood.
(d) They met in college.

4. What causes Jimmy to comment that Bob seems to have become a success in the West?
(a) Bob's expensive clothing and grooming.
(b) Bob's description of his business in Chicago.
(c) Bob's comment about the size of the West and all of its opportunities.
(d) Bob's fancy watch and scarfpin.

5. On page 621, how does the plainclothes officer refer to his meeting with Bob?
(a) As "a relief."
(b) As "ironic."
(c) As "unbelievable."
(d) As "fate."

6. What detail reveals Bob's emotions when he discovers that Jimmy has betrayed him?
(a) He begins to weep.
(b) His hand shakes.
(c) He lunges at the plainclothes officer.
(d) He curses Jimmy and their friendship.

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

8. 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 an insecure and hesitant person.
(c) He does not fully trust Jimmy Wells.
(d) He is not sure that he and Jimmy are doing the right thing.

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

10. What is the significance of Jimmy knowing how long ago the restaurant closed?
(a) It characterizes him as an observant police officer.
(b) It creates dramatic irony.
(c) It confirms Bob's characterization of him as a lover of New York City.
(d) It foreshadows his identity.

11. What effect does the officer tell Bob that time can have?
(a) It can change a good man into a bad man.
(b) It can gradually erase the feeling of friendship.
(c) It can give a man something new to be loyal to.
(d) It can make a person realize what is really important.

12. What finally reveals the plainclothes officer's face?
(a) The headlights of an approaching police car.
(b) The flame from a match.
(c) The light from an open business.
(d) A streetlight.

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

14. What distinguishing feature does Bob have on his face?
(a) A small scar.
(b) A black eye.
(c) A birthmark.
(d) A mole.

15. 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 they said goodbye 20 years ago.
(c) It was the time that the restaurant's band used to begin to play.
(d) It was the time that they both used to get off of work 20 years ago.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of the story, what motive for his deception does Jimmy reveal?

2. The police officer's is described as "stalwart" (619). What kind of man does this mean he is?

3. What is the only reason that Bob can imagine Jimmy not showing up?

4. What reason does Bob give for falling out of touch with Jimmy?

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

(see the answer keys)

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