View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What word does Corinne use to describe Portia's mother?

2. Who is Portia's mother?

3. With whom does Portia live?

4. What is Sharon's smile like?

5. With whom does Corinne say Martin has been having an affair?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why is Corinne concerned about Portia?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even though this story has many characters, what makes Otto the protagonist of this story? Compare his role in the story to definitions of protagonists.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 635 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample