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Quizzes > Books & Literature

After Twenty Years MCQ: O. Henry Questions & Answers

Quick, free After Twenty Years quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Cornelia MelcuUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration with book and quiz icons on teal background referencing After Twenty Years classic by O. Henry

This After Twenty Years quiz helps you review O. Henry's story with quick MCQs on plot, character, and the twist ending. Use it to spot gaps before a test or warm up for class. When you finish, try the gift of the magi quiz, explore The Landlady quiz, or take the treasure of Lemon Brown quiz for more short story practice.

How many years had passed since Bob and Jimmy last met when they reunite?
20 years
15 years
25 years
10 years
The title of the story itself indicates that Bob and Jimmy agree to meet after twenty years, which is the central premise driving the plot. O. Henry uses this long interval to explore changes in character and circumstance over time. This duration shapes the themes of friendship and loyalty against personal transformation. For more details on the timeline, see .
At what time of night did Bob and Jimmy agree to meet for their reunion?
9 PM
8 PM
11 PM
10 PM
Bob and Jimmy make plans to meet at exactly ten o'clock, which creates a tense atmosphere as the hour approaches. This precise timing heightens suspense and underscores the importance of punctuality in their friendship. Timing plays a key role in both setting and plot progression. More on this can be found at .
In which city is the short story "After Twenty Years" set?
Chicago
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
The story takes place on a darkened street in New York City, specifically on Sixth Avenue opposite a restaurant. The urban setting underscores the themes of anonymity and change in a bustling metropolis. O. Henry often set his tales in New York to contrast character backgrounds and societal shifts. For more on the setting, visit .
Who is the author of the short story "After Twenty Years"?
Edgar Allan Poe
Mark Twain
Washington Irving
O. Henry
"After Twenty Years" is written by O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter, known for his twist endings and urban settings. O. Henry published this story in 1906, and it remains one of his most celebrated works. His style is marked by wit and surprise conclusions. Read more about the author at .
At which establishment did Bob wait for Jimmy on the agreed night?
By the fountain in the park
In front of a bank
Big Joe Brady's restaurant
Outside the saloon
Bob specifically waits outside Big Joe Brady's restaurant on Sixth Avenue, a landmark mentioned early in the narrative. This location provides a recognized meeting point and contributes to the story's urban ambiance. The detail roots the tale in a real-seeming environment, enhancing its dramatic impact. More on this scene is covered at .
What profession had Jimmy Wells pursued by the time Bob returned?
Journalist
Merchant
Police officer
Judge
Upon Bobs return, Jimmy Wells is revealed to be a police officer, a fact that isnt immediately obvious in their conversation. His law-enforcement role is central to the storys twist ending. The revelation reframes the nature of their reunion. For a discussion of Jimmys occupation, see .
Which narrative point of view is used in "After Twenty Years"?
First-person
Third-person limited omniscient
Third-person objective
Second-person
The story is told from a third-person limited omniscient perspective, which allows the narrator to describe the setting and character actions while focusing on what Bob and Jimmy think and feel. This viewpoint supports O. Henry's style of revealing just enough to build suspense. It also maintains reader alignment with both characters until the twist. For more on narrative style, visit .
Which literary device characterizes the ending when Jimmy arrests Bob?
Dramatic irony
Flashback
Personification
Allegory
The ending is a classic example of dramatic irony: the reader and Jimmy know the true identity of the officer before Bob does. Bob remains unaware that his old friend is on the other side of the door until the final moment. This contrast between knowledge states heightens emotional impact. More on this device can be found at .
What is the main theme explored in "After Twenty Years"?
Revenge versus mercy
Love and loss
Ambition and greed
Friendship versus duty
The story pivots on the conflict between personal loyalty to a friend and the duty to uphold the law. Jimmys decision to arrest Bob illustrates this tension between friendship and professional responsibility. O. Henry uses this theme to question the cost of personal bonds in the face of moral obligations. For thematic exploration, see .
After leaving New York, where did Bob claim to have made his fortune?
In the South
Out West
In the Midwest
In Europe
Bob boasts during their conversation that he struck it rich out West, suggesting that he made his fortune on the frontier. This claim frames his character as a self-made man shaped by Western opportunities. It also sets up the reader to question the nature of his success. More on Bobs background is in the story summary at .
In the story, what does the gold watch symbolize?
Time itself
Wealth
Friendship
Destiny
When Bob originally parted from Jimmy twenty years earlier, he gifted his gold watch as a token of enduring friendship. This watch symbolizes the bond between the men and the passage of time that tests their connection. O. Henry uses it to reinforce themes of loyalty and memory. For a deeper look at symbols, see .
Which type of irony is evident when Bob, who boasts of his law-abiding life, is in fact arrested as a criminal?
Situational irony
Verbal irony
Cosmic irony
Dramatic irony
The story contains situational irony because the outcome (Bob being arrested) directly contradicts his expectation of a friendly reunion. Bobs boastful claim of lawfulness is undercut by his criminal status, surprising both him and the reader. This mismatch between expectation and reality highlights O. Henrys hallmark twist. For more on irony types, visit .
What primary trait does Jimmy Wells exhibit by choosing to arrest his friend instead of greeting him openly?
Indifference
Duty
Compassion
Vengeance
Jimmys choice to uphold his responsibility as an officer over personal loyalty demonstrates his strong sense of duty. Despite wishing to greet his old friend warmly, he places the law above their long-standing relationship. This moral commitment underscores the storys central conflict. More on character analysis is available at .
Which literary technique does O. Henry employ to hint at Jimmys true identity throughout the narrative?
Flashback
Hyperbole
Foreshadowing
Symbolism
O. Henry uses foreshadowing by inserting subtle cluessuch as references to a uniformed figure passing by and the watchful manner of the 'watchman'to suggest Jimmys role in law enforcement before the final reveal. These hints build suspense and prepare the reader for the twist. The careful placement of such details is a hallmark of foreshadowing. Learn more at .
Which ethical theory best explains Jimmy Wells decision to uphold the law over personal loyalty?
Virtue ethics
Moral relativism
Deontology
Utilitarianism
Jimmys unwavering commitment to his duty as an officer reflects deontological ethics, which holds that actions must align with moral rules and obligations regardless of personal consequences. He prioritizes his professional responsibilities over his friendship, demonstrating the deontological focus on duty. This choice highlights the moral complexity at the storys core. For more on deontological ethics, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Plot Events -

    Recall the sequence of events and the climactic twist in O. Henry's "After Twenty Years."

  2. Identify Character Motivations -

    Identify the motivations and relationships of characters such as Jimmy Wells and his old friend.

  3. Analyze Narrative Techniques -

    Analyze how O. Henry employs dramatic irony and narrative structure to enhance the story's impact.

  4. Interpret Central Themes -

    Interpret themes of loyalty, time, and justice as presented in the short story.

  5. Evaluate Comprehension with MCQs -

    Evaluate your understanding by completing targeted multiple-choice questions in the After Twenty Years MCQ quiz.

  6. Utilize Supplemental Resources -

    Utilize the after twenty years questions and answers PDF to review correct answers and deepen your knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Author's Background and Style -

    William Sydney Porter, known as O. Henry, wrote short stories famous for surprise endings (Modern Language Association). Recognizing his penchant for wit and irony can help you anticipate twists in an After Twenty Years quiz. Use the mnemonic "PORT" (P = Plot twist, O = Ordinary setting, R = Relatable characters, T = Timely reveal).

  2. Plot Structure and Chronology -

    After Twenty Years unfolds in three clear segments: the meeting, the revelation, and the resolution, as noted by Purdue OWL's narrative analysis. Tracking this arc helps you pinpoint key events when tackling after twenty years questions and answers pdf. Remember: "Meet - Reveal - Resolve" to map each quiz question to its plot phase.

  3. Character Relationships and Motivations -

    Focus on Jimmy Wells and "Silky" Bob's evolving dynamic, described in University of California's English Department lecture notes. Understanding Jimmy's loyalty versus Bob's ambition clarifies their dialogue choices in the after twenty years mcq quiz. Tip: Associate "Jimmy = Justice, Bob = Boldness" to differentiate their motives.

  4. Themes and Moral Messages -

    Key themes include loyalty, time, and moral conflict, as outlined in JSTOR's O. Henry studies. Spotting these themes will guide your answers in the O. Henry After Twenty Years quiz. A quick memory trick: "LTM" (Loyalty, Time, Morality) to recall each theme under pressure.

  5. Literary Devices and Irony -

    O. Henry's use of dramatic irony and foreshadowing shines in the final twist, according to the Oxford University Press analysis. Identifying examples - like the hidden policeman note - bolsters your performance on after twenty years quiz questions. Use the acronym "IDF" (Irony, Dialogue, Foreshadowing) when reviewing key passages.

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