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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How far does Bob say he traveled in order to meet with Jimmy?
(a) 1,000 miles.
(b) 2,000 miles.
(c) 500 miles.
(d) 200 miles.

2. What does the plainclothes officer hand to Bob?
(a) An arrest warrant.
(b) A note from Jimmy.
(c) A card with his Miranda rights printed on it.
(d) The "Wanted" poster with his face on it.

3. What criticism does Bob have for New York itself?
(a) It dulls the mind.
(b) It is corrupt.
(c) It is crowded.
(d) It is full of snobs.

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

5. According to Bob, why did Jimmy stay in New York?
(a) He loved New York too much to leave it.
(b) He did not want to leave his family behind.
(c) He was scared to move somewhere unknown.
(d) He had a very limited imagination.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What causes the officer to suddenly slow down?

3. What is the most likely reason that Bob does not recognize Jimmy when they are talking?

4. Bob's eyes are described as "keen" (620). What does this description of his eyes communicate about his character?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the story's opening moments, including its setting.

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

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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