"A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry Comprehension Check

Jimmy Valentine is released from prison because

• of his good behavior.

• he was innocent.

• one of his friends bribed the governor.

• he had served his entire four-year sentence.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What does Jimmy Valentine do in prison that helps him when he decides to change his criminal ways?

• He makes friends with the warden.

• He gets a new suit of clothes.

• He gets a train ticket and a five-dollar bill.

• He works in the prison shoe shop.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How do the prison warden’s words to Jimmy provide a clue to the surprise ending?

• He says Jimmy is an “innocent” victim.

• He says Jimmy is “not a bad fellow at heart.”

• He praises Jimmy for having friends in “high-toned society.”

• He says the “mean old jury had it in” for Jimmy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Which of the following is NOT a reason for Ben Price’s interest in Jimmy Valentine?

• Ben Price is a burglar who wants Jimmy’s tools.

• Ben Price is an eminent detective who takes high-level cases.

• Ben Price is a detective who studied Jimmy’s habits.

• Ben Price believes Jimmy should not have been released from prison.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Which of Jimmy’s actions gives a clue to his plans immediately after he is released from prison?

• He goes to the restaurant and has a chicken dinner.

• He returns to his room and picks up his safe cracking tools.

• He offers to give his friend his suitcase of tools.

• He drinks a seltzer-and-milk with Mike Dolan.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

What happens in Arkansas that makes Jimmy “become another man”?

• Ben Price catches up to Jimmy.

• Jimmy hides from the authorities for a year.

• Jimmy falls in love.

• Jimmy moves into a hotel room.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How might Annabel Adams’s father feel about “Ralph” if he knew the young man was really Jimmy Valentine?

• Mr. Adams would admire Jimmy for his clean work.

• Mr. Adams would respect Jimmy for knowing people in high society.

• Mr. Adams would despise Jimmy for being a safe cracker.

• Mr. Adams would still approve of Jimmy as a son-in-law.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Why is Ralph Spencer “the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine’s ashes”? This is an allusion!

• Jimmy has given up his life of crime and gave himself a new name.

• Jimmy pretended to be dead in order to escape Ben Price.

• Ralph Spencer died when Annabel learned he had been a burglar.

• Jimmy changed his name in each town he visited.

Which situation is NOT a sign of Jimmy’s changed life?

• Jimmy’s shoe store is flourishing.

• Jimmy is engaged to Annabel Adams.

• Jimmy has kept his burglary tools.

• Jimmy has won the respect of the community in Elmore.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which clues to the surprise ending appear in Jimmy’s letter to his old pal? Pick two!

• Jimmy admits to being worried that he might be arrested for a past crime.

• Jimmy says he is going to marry Annabel in two weeks.

• Jimmy promises to give his tool kit to his old pal.

• Jimmy says that he plans to use his tool kit one more time.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5