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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. How did Brett meet L?

2. What does M refer to as "all so many stabs in the dark" (69)?

3. After talking with Tony, what did M realize about her desire for Justine to marry Kurt?

4. What were L's earliest subjects when he was learning to draw?

5. What did M learn about Justine's time with her father?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does L describe his mother to M when she goes to the second place to deliver his package?

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. What does Brett tell M regarding her relationship with L while they are gardening?

5. How did Kurt treat Justine when they first stayed a the main house?

6. How did Justine and Tony's desire to get a dog make M feel?

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

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write an essay analyzing Cusk's commentary on art in Second Place. How is art important to the story? How does it affect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the author of Second Place. Who is she? What else has she written? How is Second Place similar or different from her previous works?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample