"A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry QUIZ

1. In the beginning of the story, Jimmy is released from jail because

• A. Of his good behavior.

• B. He was innocent.

• C. He was pardoned by the governor.

• D. He had served his entire four-year sentence.

Answer explanation

Jimmy is released from jail because he was pardoned by the governor, which is the correct answer (C). This indicates that his release was not due to good behavior, innocence, or completing his sentence.

2. Why does Jimmy originally travel to Elmore?

• A. He wants to get married.

• B. He wants to open a shoe store.

• C. He wants to hide from Detective Price.

• D. He wants to rob a bank.

Answer explanation

Jimmy originally travels to Elmore to rob a bank, making option D the correct choice. His intentions are criminal, and the other options do not align with his primary motive.

3. What does this quote from the story mean? “That’s Dandy Jim Valentine’s autograph. He’s resumed business."

• A. Jimmy signs the safes that he breaks into.

• B. The word “autograph” is used to describe Jimmy’s unique safecracking skills.

• C. Jimmy has given up on cracking safes.

• D. Ben Price is the best safe cracker around.

Answer explanation

The quote implies that Dandy Jim Valentine, known for his safecracking, has returned to his craft. The term 'autograph' suggests that his unique skills leave a mark, indicating his expertise in safecracking.

4. What does the following line mean? “Jimmy Valentine looked into Annabele's eyes, forgot what he was and became another man."

• A. Jimmy’s love for Annabel causes him to leave his life of crime and reinvent himself..

• B. Jimmy has amnesia.

• C. Jimmy wanted to change his name and go back to living in his apartment.

• D. Jimmy Valentine and Ralph Spencer are competing for Annabele's love.

Answer explanation

The line indicates that Jimmy Valentine, upon looking into Annabel's eyes, is so moved by love that he decides to abandon his criminal past and transform himself into a better person, aligning with choice A.

5. Why does Jimmy decide to give up safecracking?

• A. He has lost confidence in his safecracking skills.
• B. Ben Price is on his trail.
• C. He has found a law-abiding life that is more satisfying.
• D. Safecracking doesn’t pay well enough.

6. Strong evidence of Jimmy’s character transformation or reformation can be seen

• A. In the letter he writes to his friend in St. Louis.
• B. When he asks the boy the name of the pretty woman.
• C. When he is quickly accepted by Annabel’s family and friends.
• D. When he goes back to his room to get his safecracking tools.

7. Why is the scene in which Mr. Adams shows off his safe a good example of foreshadowing?

• A. Describing that the safe is impossible to break open can make the reader feel that something is going to happen involving the safe.
• B. Jimmy still has the desire to rob banks, and this shows he will later return to a life of crime.
• C. Mr. Adams is hinting to the girls that they should try to lock each other in as a game.

8. When Ben Price travels to Elmore, he probably intends to do what?

• A. He probably intends to do Jimmy a favor.
• B. He probably intends to settle down and live there.
• C. He probably intends to arrest Jimmy.
• D. He probably intends to have dinner with Jimmy to speak to him.

9. Why is the scene in which Mr. Adams shows off his safe to Jimmy a good example of irony?

• A. As Mr. Adams is showing off his safe, Jimmy is very interested and really admires it.
• B. Mr. Adams is unknowingly bragging about a burglar-proof safe to a highly skilled safe-cracker.
• C. Mr. Adams realizes that Jimmy has a past history of breaking into these types of safes.
• D. It causes Jimmy to want to return to his old life of crime and robbing banks.

10. What can you infer from the following line spoken by Ben Price at the end of the story? “Guess you’re mistaken, Mr. Spencer,” he said. “Don’t believe I recognize you. Your buggy’s waiting for you, ain’t it?”

• A. Ben realizes that Jimmy will always be a crook.

• B. Ben wants to arrest Jimmy later when he is not with Annabel.

• C. Ben doesn’t know who Ralph Spencer is.

• D. Ben decides to let Jimmy go because he can see that Jimmy has reformed.

Answer explanation

Ben's statement indicates he no longer sees Jimmy as a criminal, suggesting he recognizes Jimmy's transformation. This implies Ben decides to let him go, supporting the idea that Jimmy has reformed.