Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Fo what should students ask the art teacher?
2. What does Melinda see as her job in algebra class?
3. What at is the big question Melinda asks herself after she boards the bus?
4. To what does Melinda compare her math teacher's love of algebra?
5. What happens when Melinda tries to talk to her parents or a teacher in "Second Marking Period"?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does Melinda continue to fix up her closet at school?
2. What do Melinda's parents order to do after school and how does Melinda "obey" them?
3. Describe Melinda's first impressions of the art room.
4. What is Heather's plan for Melinda and herself?
5. What does Melinda do after school on Columbus Day?
6. What does Melinda notice in her mirror and why don't Melinda's parents seem to notice the change in her?
7. Who introduces herself to Melinda in "First Marking Period", and why is she friendly when no one else is?
8. What is Mr. Freeman like and what does he have the students do on the first day?
9. What is the results of Melinda's participation in job day and how does Melinda feel about the event?
10. Why doesn't Melinda go trick or treating, and what does she do on Halloween?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Speak has sometimes been subjected to censorship because of its subject matter and the intended audience. Discuss the following:
1. Do you think a ninth-grade student in the "real" world is too young to read about rape and its aftermath?
2. Do you think many girls who are Melinda's age are raped?
3. Would reading a book such as Speak help a girl who has been raped? In what ways do you think it would help a victim of rape, especially one who is Melinda's age?
4. Do you think reading Speak could be harmful emotionally to students in high school and/or middle school?
Essay Topic 2
Choose one of the following to discuss:
1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Speak. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Anderson chooses the symbols she does? Do you think Anderson consciously decides upon the symbols to represent various elements of Speak? Why or why not?
2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in Speak. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Anderson chooses the metaphors she does?
3. Discuss Anderson's use (or lack) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Anderson use too many or too little literary techniques? State to which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related (style, character, plot, setting, theme).
Essay Topic 3
Speak was made into a film, which is directed by Jessica Sharzer and stars Kristen Stewart as Melinda. Discuss the following:
1. Do you think you would enjoy watching a film based upon Speak? Why or why not?
2. Do you think the subject matter would be more difficult or easier to portray in film versus in the book? Explain your reasoning.
3. Would you allow your high school-aged son or daughter (imagining you have one) to view the film? Explain your answer.
4. How do you think the movie differs from the book? Explain. (If you've seen the movie, discuss the differences and how you reacted to them).
This section contains 1,226 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |