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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 color does Melody describe her eyes as in Chapter 2?

2. What school does Melody's mother enroll her in after meeting with the intelligence specialist in Chapter 4?

3. What classroom is Melody's special education group held in at school?

4. How old was Melody when her mother had gotten her potty trained?

5. What disability does Maria have in the narrative?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Melody describe the importance and meaning of "words" in Chapter 1?

2. How would you describe Melody's perceptions of herself in the beginning of the novel?

3. How is the character of Catherine introduced in Chapter 12? What are Melody's first impressions of Catherine?

4. What kind of dog is Butterscotch? How does Melody describe Butterscotch?

5. How does Mrs. Brooks respond to Dr. Hugely's assessment of Melody in Chapter 4?

6. How does Melody communicate when at school in Chapter 5? Does she find this method of communication to be satisfactory?

7. How does Melody describe her communication with her father in Chapter 10?

8. What are Melody's thoughts about Mrs. Billups? What grade does Mrs. Billups teach?

9. What are "photographic memory" and "synesthesia"? How do these terms apply to Melody in the novel?

10. What exchange takes place between Mrs. Brooks and Mrs. Billups in Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the actions of the Whiz Kids team in leaving Melody behind for the national championship. Why do the team members fail to contact Melody and let her know the flight has been cancelled? Who tells Melody the truth about the team's actions? How does Melody respond?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Melody's mother choose to enroll her at Spaulding Street Elementary? How do you think Melody's experiences would differ if she were enrolled in a special school or program specifically for disabled students? Do you think the Melody's enrollment at Spaulding was a good choice? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the character of Mrs. V in the novel. What does Mrs. V look like? How would you describe Mrs. V's relationship with Melody? What does Mrs. V do to encourage Melody in the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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