Worksheets"A Retrieved Reformation" by O'Henry
Total questions: 19
Worksheet time: 10mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
1. What is Jimmy Valentine's job in prison that helps him when he decides to go "straight"?
a)
a. He makes friends with the warden.
b)
b. He gets a new suit of clothes.
c)
c. He gets a train ticket and a five dollar bill.
d)
d. He works in the prison shoe shop.
2.
2. Which of the prison warden's words to Jimmy provide a clue to the surprise ending?
a)
a. He says Jimmy is an "innocent" victim.
b)
b. He says Jimmy is "not a bad fellow at heart."
c)
c. He praises Jimmy for having friends in "high-toned society."
d)
d. He says the "mean old jury had it in" for Jimmy.
3.
3. Which of Jimmy's actions gives a clue to his plans when he is released from prison?
a)
a. He goes to a restaurant and has a chicken dinner.
b)
b. He returns to his room and picks up his burglar's tools.
c)
c. He offers to give a friend his suitcase of tools.
d)
d. He drinks a seltzer-and-milk with Mike Dolan.
4.
4. What does the following description of Jimmy after his release from prison tell you about his character?
"He was now dressed in tasteful and well-fitting clothes, and carried his dusted and cleaned suitcase in his hand."
a)
a. Jimmy is wearing a disguise so Ben Price won't find him.
b)
b. Jimmy is neat and likes to dress well.
c)
c. Jimmy wants to make people think he has changed.
d)
d. Jimmy does not want to be noticed.
5.
5. What is Ben Price's interest in Jimmy Valentine?
(check all that apply)
a)
a. Ben Price is a burglar who wants Jimmy's tools.
b)
b. Ben Price is an eminent (well-respected) detective who takes high-level cases.
c)
c. Ben Price is a detective who has studied Jimmy's habits.
d)
d. Ben Price believes Jimmy should not have been released from prison.
6.
6. What characteristics make Jimmy Valentine a successful burglar. (check all that apply)
a)
a. He easily opens safes using his set of tools.
b)
b. He makes quick getaways.
c)
c. He works alone.
d)
d. He is a good fighter.
7.
7. What happens in Arkansas that makes Jimmy "become another man"?
a)
a. Ben Price catches up to Jimmy.
b)
b. Jimmy hides from the authorities for a year.
c)
c. Jimmy falls in love.
d)
d. Jimmy moves into a hotel room.
8.
8. How might Annabel Adams's father feel about "Ralph" if he knew the young man was really Jimmy Valentine?
a)
a. Mr. Adams would admire Jimmy for his clean work.
b)
b. Mr. Adams would respect Jimmy for knowing people in high society.
c)
c. Mr. Adams would despise Jimmy for being a safe cracker.
d)
d. Mr. Adams would still approve of Jimmy as a son-in-law.
9.
9. Why is Ralph Spencer "the phoenix that arose from jimmy Valentine's ashes"?
a)
a. Jimmy gave up his life of crime and gave himself a new name.
b)
b. Jimmy pretended to be dead in order to escape Ben Price.
c)
c. Ralph Spencer died when Annabel learned he had been a burglar.
d)
d. Jimmy gave himself a new name in each town he visited.
10.
10. Which situation is NOT a sign of Jimmy's changed life?
a)
a. Jimmy's shoe store is flourishing.
b)
b. Jimmy is engaged to Annabel Adams.
c)
c. Jimmy has kept his suitcase of burglary tools.
d)
d. Jimmy has won the respect of the community.
11.
11. Which two clues to the surprise ending appear in Jimmy's letter to his old pal?
a)
a. Jimmy admits to being worried that he might be arrested for a past crime.
b)
b. Jimmy says he wouldn't do anything crooked now because Annabel believes in him.
c)
c. Jimmy promises to give his kit of tools to the old pal.
d)
d. Jimmy says that he wants his old pal to help him wind up some little matters.
12.
12. Why does Jimmy ask Annabel for the rose she's wearing before he cracks open the safe?
a)
a. He hopes the rose will bring him good luck as he tries to save the little girl.
b)
b. He plans to use the rose as one of the tools to help get the safe open.
c)
c. He knows he will have to leave town, and he wants the rose to remember her by.
d)
d. He always wore a rose when he was cracking safes as a burglar.
13.
13. Why doesn't Ben Price arrest Jimmy Valentine?
a)
a. He admires Jimmy's abilities as a safe cracker.
b)
b. He knows Jimmy exposed his past in order to save the child.
c)
c. He thinks Jimmy is really Ralph Spencer.
d)
d. He believes Jimmy served enough of his term in prison.
14.
Part A: Which statement best expresses a major theme of the text?
a)
Deception is a thief's greatest tool.
b)
Never try to change the one you love.
c)
Being merciful is the mark of a good man.
d)
People can change, for better or for worse.
15.
Part B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?
a)
"'Me?' said Jimmy, in a puzzled tone. 'I don't understand. I'm representeing the New York Amalgamated Short Snap Biscuit Cracker and Frazzled Wheat Company.'" (Paragraph 16)
b)
"'That's Dandy Jim Valentine's autograph. He's resumed business...He'll do his bit next time without any short-time or clemency foolishness.'" (Paragraph 19)
c)
"'Going to marry the banker's daughter are you, Jimmy?' said Ben to himself, softly. ' Well, I don't know!'" (Paragraph 39)
d)
"Jimmy stuffed [the rose] into his vest-pocket, threw off his coat and pulled up his shirt-sleeves. With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place." (Paragraph 56)
16.
16. What do you learn about Jimmy Valentine from the word assiduously in this sentence from the story? "A guard came to the prison shoe-shop, where Jimmy Valentine was assiduously stitching uppers, and escorted him to the front office."
a)
a. Jimmy Valentine was a lazy worker.
b)
b. Jimmy Valentine was a careless worker.
c)
c. Jimmy Valentine was a careful worker.
d)
d. Jimmy Valentine was a rehabilitated worker.
17.
17. What other evidence from the text supports the answer to number 15?
a)
"He had on a suit of the villainously fitting, ready-made clothes and a pair of the stiff, squeaky shoes that the state furnishes to its discharged compulsory guests."
b)
"He's [Jimmy] resumed business. Look at that combination knob--jerked out as easy as pulling up a radish in wet weather.
c)
"Socially he was also a success, and made many friends."
d)
"..he [Jimmy] had won the respect of the community, his shoe-store was flourishing, and he and Annabel were engaged to be married in two weeks."
18.
18. Which word is the opposte of virtuous?
a)
a. victorious
b)
b. weak
c)
c. good
d)
d. immoral
19.
19. The accident occurred when two cars entered the intersection _____________.
a)
a. simultaneously
b)
b. unobtrusively
c)
c. assiduously
d)
d. speciously
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