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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 Kurt tell M that L had said he wanted to do to her?

2. What did Justine tell M Brett did while she put herself through medical school?

3. How did M feel when Tony, Justine, and Kurt seemed suspicious at her excitement when L agreed to paint her?

4. What happened not long after M returned from Paris?

5. Who did L say was a “fat and coarse” woman who he found “physically loathsome” (102)?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Tony tell M after sitting for L for a portrait? Why does he stop?

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

4. 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?

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. Where would M watch her daughter when she was young and M was unable to see her? What did her husband do and say when he spotted M? What did M do not long after that day?

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

9. Why does M find it interesting that Kurt is able to speak so freely with L?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing the symbolic significance M's family's economic status has on the story. Why is this important and how does it develop the themes of the story? What would be different if her family were poor? Use examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 812 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample