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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 gift did Otto give to Sharon that she still has in her living room?

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

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

4. With whom does Portia live?

5. How old is Portia?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Why is Corinne concerned about Portia?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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