"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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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