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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What lie did Otto tell his sibling when invited over for the upcoming holiday?

2. What is the subject of the article William asks Otto if he should clip for him at the beginning of the story?

3. During what holiday did Otto first introduce William to his family?

4. What did Otto and William often send to family for Christmas in lieu of visiting for many years?

5. To whom did Otto first rent out the the top floor of his brownstone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Otto know how to answer Corinne's question about where he and William met?

2. What did William do while Otto worked when they first moved into the brownstone?

3. How long ago did Otto introduce his family to William? What was the occasion? What changed for Otto after that night?

4. How did Otto's mother's death change him and his relationship with his family?

5. What would Corinne or Martin often say when they called Otto to invite him to a family event?

6. What is Otto anxious about at the start of the story, which he discusses with William?

7. How was Otto's family's reaction to William different from the way they reacted to Diandra?

8. What do Corinne and Otto say when discussing their family Thanksgivings when they were young?

9. Who are Naomi and Margaret? Where are they at the start of the story and why?

10. What does Corinne ask of Otto after she invites him to Thanksgiving? Why does she think he will be more effective than she or Martin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a detailed analysis of tone in Eisenberg's "Some Other, Better Otto." Define tone and include whether the tone changes or remains the same. If it changes, include details on when, why and whether this change is effective.

Essay Topic 2

Away from the main character examine the way the author uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Write a brief essay analyzing the title "Some Other, Better Otto." Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

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