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 does Laurie tell Portia to make her feel better about Thanksgiving?

2. What does Otto consider may be the only reason William finds him appealing?

3. Who is Portia's mother?

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

5. What example does Otto use to prove to William that time is linear?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Corinne concerned about Portia?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 an essay about the author of "Some Other, Better Otto." Who is she? What else has she written? How is "Some Other, Better Otto" similar or different from her previous works?

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 721 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample