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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 Otto recall were the best moments at the family dinner table when he was young?

2. What type of tea does Sharon serve, which seems to excite William?

3. Why is Portia upset about Thanksgiving?

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

5. Where does Portia's mother lives?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

7. Why is Corinne concerned about Portia?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Otto and William in "Some Other, Better Otto." What details help develop their character and what do these details tell you about them? What is their background? How do they know each other? How do they interact? In what ways are they similar or different? Explain.

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

Write an essay discussing the setting of "Some Other, Better Otto." In what ways does setting impact your understanding of the story's plot and themes?

(see the answer keys)

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