Question

reading
read the selection, and choose the best answer to each question.
from after twenty years (adapted)
by o henry
the following passage is an abridged version of after twenty years, a short
story by o henry in the story, a mysterious man is waiting at night in a
doorway for a friend he has not seen in twenty years a police officer
approaches, and the man in the doorway explains why he is there as they
speak, he man strikes a match to light his cigar, revealing his face
1 twenty years ago to-night, said the man, i dined here at big joe
bradys with jimmy wells, my best chum, and the finest chap in the
world he and i were raised here in new york, just like two brothers,
together i was eighteen and jimmy was twenty the next morning i was
to start for the west to make my fortune you couldnt have dragged
jimmy out of new york, he thought it was the only place on earth well,
we agreed that night that we would meet here again exactly twenty years
from that date and time, no matter what our conditions might be or from
what distance we might have to come we figured that in twenty years

Explanation:

• Option A: Jimmy, a police officer, has to arrest his old friend Bob. He can't bring himself to do it directly. Instead, he writes a note. This shows that he does his duty (which is the right thing) but it's a sacrifice (he has to betray his friend). The characterization (Jimmy's actions of writing the note instead of directly arresting) conveys the theme of doing what's right may mean making a sacrifice.
• Option B: There is no indication in the given passage that lies lead to more lies. Jimmy's action of writing a note is more about doing his duty in a difficult situation rather than a chain - of - lies scenario.
• Option C: The passage doesn't focus on the idea that all good things must come to an end. The main conflict is about Jimmy's duty and his friendship, not the end of a "good thing" in a general sense.
• Option D: Bob's affectionate memories do not support the theme of true friendship lasting forever. Because Jimmy, his friend, betrays him (by having him arrested), which goes against the idea of a lasting true friendship.

Answer:

A. Theme: Doing what is right may mean making a sacrifice. How Conveyed by Characterization: Jimmy does his duty, but he cannot bear to arrest Bob himself, so he explains his involvement indirectly, in a note.