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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. Who seems most excited when Corinne and Wesley's sons and wife leave after stopping by briefly during Thanksgiving?

3. Why is Portia upset about Thanksgiving?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Corinne concerned about Portia?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 reason does Sharon offer for not wanting to go to Corinne's for 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

Who is Portia? What theme or themes does her character represent? What does her character show the reader about Otto? How is this character important to the story?

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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