Understanding article:

1.His experiment failed last week. However, he has made up his mind to try _______ time next week.

a. the second

b. a second

c. second

As per his teacher, the correct option is "a second". Can you explain why?

whereas for the below sentence

The soccer team came out __________ in the match.

the correct answer is "second".

Can you explain us the reason?

Expansion of idea

" do not go near water, until you know how to swim "