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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 think a good artist must have?

2. What does Melinda do at her father's office?

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

4. What does Mr. Freeman think is wrong with Melinda?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What touches Melinda emotionally on Christmas Day and what happens?

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

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

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

5. Who invites Melinda to his home in "Third Marking Period", and what is her response?

6. How does Melinda's pleasure at making posters turn into a nightmare?

7. How did Melinda happen to go to a party where there are alcohol and older students in the past?

8. How does Melinda hurt herself in biology class?

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

10. How does it seem the girls in the International Club are reacting to Andy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Speak and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Speak is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? 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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