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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. Who does Melinda see in the mall on the last day of Spring break?

2. What makes Melinda feel fearful about David?

3. How do the girls of the International Club feel about Andy?

4. How does Melinda feel as she runs away from the store in "Third Marking Period"?

5. What is Melinda's reward for the thing she does for a whole week?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Heather tell Melinda in "Third Marking Period" that upsets Melinda?

2. How does Melinda's focused work on an extra credit project backfire?

3. Describe the traumatic event that took place for Melinda at the party the summer before.

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

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

6. Why is Melinda worried about Rachel in "Fourth Marking Period", and what does she try to do to alleviate the worry?

7. What does Melinda notice about IT in April?

8. How does Melinda hurt herself in biology class?

9. What book does the class begin to study in English, and what is Melinda's response to it?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Melinda's experience in ninth grade with your own experience your first year of high school (or middle school). In what ways are the experiences alike? Different?

2. Discuss how you would have handled things were you in Melinda's situation. Do you think she handles her isolation better or worse than (or about the same) as you? Would you have confided in your mom and/or dad? How about another adult? Why or why not?

3. Can schools do more to address such issues as arise in Speak? Why or why not? What could they do? Did your school do a better job at addressing the kind of issues that are illustrated in Speak?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Melinda from the beginning of the book to who she is at the end of the book. How are they similar? How are they different? Which character do you like more? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Andy Evans and David Petrkis. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Speak help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Speak.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Speak. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Speak. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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