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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 grade does Melinda receive on her extra credit project?
2. Where does Melinda begin working at Christmas break?
3. What does Heather discuss with Melinda in "Third Marking Period"?
4. What kind of car does Mr. Freeman drive?
5. What does Mr. Freeman think is wrong with Melinda?
Short Essay Questions
1. What touches Melinda emotionally on Christmas Day and what happens?
2. How does it seem the girls in the International Club are reacting to Andy?
3. What has Melinda been doing more frequently in "Third Marking Period", and where does she end up one day?
4. How does Melinda's pleasure at making posters turn into a nightmare?
5. How does Melinda's focused work on an extra credit project backfire?
6. What do Melinda's parents decide about her Christmas vacation, so what does Melinda do?
7. Describe the incident in art class when Mr. Freeman's honesty hurts Melinda.
8. What is Melinda's response to Heather's talk in "Third Marking Period"?
9. What does Mr. Freeman believe is Melinda's problem in art class, and what does he do about it?
10. How does Melinda hurt herself in biology class?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss one of the following:
1. Trace and analyze the theme of power in Speak. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power and/or have the most power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?
2. Trace and analyze the theme of abandonment in Speak. Who is abandoned? Why? Who does the abandoning? Why? Do Melinda's parents abandon her? Why or why not? Do you think Melinda is embraced back into the "fold" of humanity? How? When? Why?
3. Trace and analyze the theme of change. Who changes in Speak? Who seems to stay stagnant? What are the reasons the characters change who do so? Why do some characters not change? Do you think Melinda's changes at the end of the book will last? Why or why not? What would it take to make Andy change? Do you think there is hope for the young man? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 2
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).
Essay Topic 3
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?
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This section contains 1,171 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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