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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. Why is Portia upset about Thanksgiving?

2. What does Otto say is the truth about Thanksgiving?

3. What impressive gift did Portia get for her birthday?

4. What does Sharon have hanging on the walls of her apartment?

5. What does Otto recall were the best moments at the family dinner table when he was young?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the first real indication to Otto and his siblings that Sharon had a psychological disorder?

2. What reason does Sharon offer for not wanting to go to Corinne's for Thanksgiving?

3. As Otto observes Sharon's sparse apartment, what does he realize about himself?

4. What does Corinne tell Otto about Martin at her house on Thanksgiving? How does Otto react?

5. What do Sharon and William discuss regarding time after William says he experienced deja vu?

6. What does Otto wonder when William thought to bring Sharon flowers when they visited?

7. Why is Corinne concerned about Portia?

8. What did Viola get Portia for her birthday? Why does Portia think it is not a great gift?

9. What does Otto think as he watches William with his nephews at Thanksgiving?

10. Why does Portia cry at Corinne's on Thanksgiving? How do the other family members, including Otto, respond to her concern?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Eisenberg's decision to tell the story using third person point-of-view from Otto's perspective. How does this impact the reader's understanding of the story's events? Is this effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Examine how the fragility of mind plays a part in the plot of the "Some Other, Better Otto."

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing the imagery used in "Some Other, Better Otto." Indicate examples of imagery in the text and identify possible meanings.

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