Question

read the following passage and answer the adjoining questions.
passage
\after twenty years\
by o. henry
(1) the policeman on the beat moved up the avenue impressively. the impressiveness was habitual and not for show, for spectators were few. the time was barely 10 oclock at night, but chilly gusts of wind with a taste of rain in them had well nigh de - peopled the streets.
(2) trying doors as he went, twirling his club with many intricate and artful movements, turning now and then to cast his watchful eye down the pacific thoroughfare, the officer, with his stalwart form and slight swagger, made a fine picture of a guardian of the peace. the vicinity was one that kept early hours. now and then you might see the lights of a cigar store or of an all - night lunch counter, but the majority of the doors belonged to business places that had long since been closed.
(3) when about midway of a certain block the policeman suddenly slowed his walk. in the doorway of a darkened hardware store a man leaned, with an unlighted cigar in his mouth. as the policeman walked up to him the man spoke up quickly.
(4) \its all right, officer,\ he said, reassuringly. \im just waiting for a friend. its an
which of the following statements should be included in an objective summary of the passage?
a bob is a very flashy man who enjoys expensive items. jimmy realizes what type of man bob is and arrests him.
b twenty years ago, two friends were exactly the same type of people. now they are nothing alike. they meet up together and discover their differences.
c two old friends made an appointment twenty years ago to meet at the exact time and place they departed. one friend has lived a life of crime while the other has lived a life of law enforcement.
d a policeman discovers that his long - time friend who he is supposed to meet up with after a twenty - year absence is a criminal. the criminal does not know his friend is a policeman.

Explanation:

To determine the correct summary, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The passage doesn't mention Bob's flashy nature or Jimmy arresting him yet. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The passage is about a meeting after twenty years, not about their differences. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The passage (from "After Twenty Years") involves two friends who made an appointment twenty years ago to meet at the same time and place. One is a policeman (law enforcement) and the other is a criminal (implied by context, as later events show). This matches the plot.
• Option D: The passage's initial part doesn't show the criminal not knowing the friend is a policeman yet. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. Two old friends made an appointment twenty years ago to meet at the exact time and place they departed. One friend has lived a life of crime while the other has lived a life of law enforcement.