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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 does Sharon have hanging on the walls of her apartment?

2. Who does Laurie say sent Portia a great gift for her birthday?

3. Which of Martin's wives is at Thanksgiving dinner at Corinne's?

4. What does Sharon say she is thinking of buying for her house per Otto's advice?

5. How old is Portia?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why is Corinne concerned about Portia?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay examining symbolism in "Some Other, Better Otto." What symbols exist in the story and what might these symbols represent?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the use of dialogue vs the use of description. Look at how each is used in the story and what makes these uses effective or ineffective.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 649 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample