"A Retrieved Reformation" 8.3 Practice

What do Paragraphs 2-3 reveal about Jimmy?

• Jimmy is stoic; he takes the warden seriously.

• Jimmy is spirited; he plays innocent with the warden.

• Jimmy is unfriendly; he has a terrible relationship with the warden.

• Jimmy is outgoing; he and the warden have become close friends.

Answer explanation

Jimmy acts surprised that the warden thinks he broke into safes, despite having been in jail for this crime for 10 months.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

How does Jimmy's prison release propel the action?

(He is released in Paragraph 8.)

• It creates a choice for our protagonist: he must choose to continue stealing or start over.

• It creates the conflict in the story; Jimmy and the warden are in conflict.

• It creates an opportunity for more characters to be added; this couldn't happen at the prison.

• It creates a climax or turning point for Jimmy; his conflict/problem is now over.

Answer explanation

It is too soon in our story for the climax; we need a developed conflict first. The conflict is not between Jimmy and the warden, so it can't be climax or conflict. Lastly, other people would be in jail; therefore, the setting didn't need to change to add characters.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

How do robberies in Paragraph 18 provoke a decision from Ben Price?

• It provokes Ben Price to reassure people who are worried about their things being stolen from banks.

• It provokes Ben Price to travel to Richmond to see if Jimmy's tools are really that great.

• It provokes Ben Price to name Jimmy Price as a criminal after being pardoned.

• It provokes Ben Price to investigate the robberies and pursue arresting Jimmy again.

Answer explanation

Ben Price does travel to investigate Jimmy, which reassures people that the robberies will stop. He also says that Jimmy is a criminal and should be arrested. But these are all effects of Ben CHOOSING (being provoked) to pursure Jimmy after the pattern of robberies makes it clear who is behind them.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is revealed about Ben Price in Paragraph 19?

• He doesn't know anything about safe-cracking, causing him to make mistakes in his investigation.

• He knows a lot about safe-cracking, but is shocked by Jimmy's skill level.

• He is an expert on bank robberies and Jimmy's safe-cracking style.

• He has read about cracking safes and is learning from Jimmy.

Answer explanation

Ben calls the different parts of the safe by name, references specific tools of Jimmy's, and includes the fact that other bank robbers don't possess those tools. This shows the extent of Ben's impressive knowledge.

What does the dialogue in Paragraph 25 reveal about the boy?

• He is young and talkative.

• He is young and shy.

• He is a teenager and likes Jimmy.

• He is a teenager and dislikes Jimmy.

Answer explanation

The way the boy switches topics suddenly suggests that he is really young and shares whatever pops into his head. He also asks questions without waiting for answers, a common trait or quality of younger kids.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What provokes Jimmy's decision to change?

• He falls for Annabel Adams upon seeing her for the first time.

• He realizes that Ben Price is tracking him.

• He feels passionately about opening a shoe store.

• He steals enough money that he doesn't need anymore.

Answer explanation

Look at Paragraphs 30-32. It explains the changes that Jimmy made under the alias "Ralph Spencer". It all began when he saw Annabel (paragraph 22) and continued until he had "accomplished the wish of his heart" (paragraph 31).

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

In Paragraph 44, Jimmy listens to Annabel's dad with a "courteous but not too intelligent interest". What can the reader infer about Jimmy?

• He isn't interested in banks or safes anymore after changing his life.

• He knows it would be suspicious if he shares his knowledge of safes.

• He worries that it is a trap and they are working with Ben Price.

• He designs bank safes, but pretends to sell shoes.

Answer explanation

"Not too intelligent interest" tells us that Jimmy is pretending to be dumb when it comes to the workings and design of bank safes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does Paragraph 46 propel the action in "A Retrieved Reformation"?

• The action shifts from Ralph being engaged to Annabel to Jimmy running away.

• The action shifts from the climax to the falling action of the short story.

• The action moves from a calm family afternoon to a scary, emergency situation.

• The action moves from a trap for Jimmy to a young girl being trapped.

Answer explanation

This paragraph changes the tone of the scene, as well as moves the focus from the bank safe to saving the girls.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

How does Paragraph 51 provoke a decision?

• It prompts Jimmy/Ralph to ignore the emergency to maintain his secret identity.

• It prompts Jimmy/Ralph to decide that he must save Agatha even though it will reveal his secret.

• It prompts Jimmy/Ralph to admit to Annabel's family that he is a safe-cracker.

• It prompts Jimmy/Ralph mail his tools off to his old pal in St. Louis.

Answer explanation

Jimmy doesn't come right out and admit his background; he simply jumps into action. He realizes time is important based on Mr. Adams saying, "There isn't enough air..." Therefore, Jimmy doesn't have any conversation. He simply acts.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What does the ending of "A Retrieved Reformation" reveal about Ben Price?

• He has always disliked Jimmy.

• He has always liked Jimmy.

• He believes that people can't change.

• He believes that people can change.

Answer explanation

Ben's closing line of dialogue means that he is letting Jimmy go. He is choosing not to arrest him. This means that Ben believes that by saving the girl at the cost of going back to jail, Jimmy showed that he changed and should get to live as a free man.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4