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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 does Mr. Freeman bring Melinda after he comments on her work in "Fourth Marking Period"?

2. What artist does Mr. Freeman want Melinda to study?

3. What does Melinda's mother tell her in a note in "Second Marking Period"?

4. What has Melinda started in art class at the end of "Second Marking Period"?

5. Who helps Melinda devise a plan for her extra credit social studies project?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Melinda hurt herself in biology class?

2. Describe the ride with Mr. Freeman to Melinda's mother's workplace.

3. How does the extra credit project end Melinda up at the principal's office?

4. What ruins Melinda's leisurely walk to school?

5. Describe the incident in art class when Mr. Freeman's honesty hurts Melinda.

6. How does the book Mr. Freeman gives Melinda help her?

7. What does Mr. Freeman believe is Melinda's problem in art class, and what does he do about it?

8. What does the physical education teacher discover about Melindal and what is the result?

9. What does Melinda notice about IT in April?

10. What is the result of the meeting with Melinda, her parents, the guidance counselor and the principal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Speak is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Speak could be said to be a "bildungsroman" of Melinda Sordina, the narrator. Discuss the following:

1. Define the concepts "bildungsroman" and "coming of age."

2. Thoroughly trace and analyze Speak as a bildungsroman of Melinda Sordino. Give specific examples. What does Melinda learn? How has she changed? Is the change for the better?

3. Why do you think many novels/stories written for teens are "coming of age" stories? Do you think it is good for teens to read this genre? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Melinda chooses to make an abandoned closet her safe space because she herself has been abandoned by her friends. What other examples of irony can you find in Speak? Do you think irony enhances the book? Why or why not?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from Speak. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in Speak and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not? Some possible devices: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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