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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 did L finally agree to do after M told him more about her past?

2. What did L tell M she played at being?

3. What did L's father do when he was young to keep him near him and away from his mother?

4. What new career path does Kurt announce after Justine begins spending more time with Brett?

5. Aside from her books, how did M make a large sum of money?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the family gather in the living room one night while M fixed it up extra nice in case L joined them?

2. What were Brett and L doing when M approached the second place for her portrait sitting? Why did M think they were mocking her?

3. What new career path does Kurt decide he is going to take? What does he do to prepare?

4. How did Justine's relationship with Brett change her?

5. What does M tell L when he asks how she paid for their land and homes?

6. How did M feel as she got dressed for her portrait sitting? What did she wear? What did happened between her and Tony?

7. How did M interpret L's long explanation for why he would not paint her portrait the day he found her picking edible greens by the water? How did L respond to M's reaction?

8. What does Candy say in the letter L received while at the second place?

9. What did M give to Justine to make up for the year she was unable to care for her? Does M believe Justine ever used this?

10. What did Tony do while he and M were apart when they first fell in love? How did M feel about this part of her life in comparison to other times?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a brief essay analyzing the title Second Place. Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Cusk's language style and word choice in Second Place. What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Away from the main character examine the way the author uses the other characters in the story. When does she introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 836 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample