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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 nickname, which M found offensive, did Brett use with Justine?

2. With whom did Kurt begin to spend most of his time after embarking on his new career?

3. What did Brett ask M in regards to her relationship with L?

4. What did Tony yell to M as she ran to the second place to have her portrait painted?

5. Who did M think was in the picture that fell out of Justine's purse?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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?

10. Why does L jump on the table in the second place and ask M if they should have fun? How does M feel about this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Choose two characters and discuss their similarities and differences. What is each character's role in Second Place?

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