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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 is Penny's third word as a baby?

2. What aspect of her appearance does Melody describe having appreciation for in Chapter 2?

3. What fruit does Melody associate country music with in Chapter 2?

4. How does the music teacher punish the two girls who make fun of the special education students in music class in Chapter 11?

5. What does Melody say Willy Williams does frequently in her special education class in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Melody describe her mother's pregnancy in Chapter 9?

2. How is Mrs. V described in Chapter 6? How does Melody know Mrs. V?

3. What are Melody's thoughts about Mrs. Billups? What grade does Mrs. Billups teach?

4. How does Melody describe her disability and its impacts on her everyday life in Chapter 2?

5. What information does Mrs. Shannon relate to Melody's parents at the parent-teacher conference in Chapter 12?

6. How does Melody describe the importance and meaning of "words" in Chapter 1?

7. Who is Dr. Hugely? What are Melody's impressions of this character?

8. How does Mrs. Brooks respond to Dr. Hugely's assessment of Melody in Chapter 4?

9. How have Melody's circumstances changed as she enters fifth grade in Chapter 11?

10. What kind of music does Melody enjoy the most? How does she describe the music in her household in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Mrs. Billups and her actions as a teacher at Spaulding Street Elementary. What grade does Mrs. Billups teach at the school? How does she differ from Mrs. Tracy? Why does Mrs. Billups leave the school?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the character of Penny in the novel. How old is Penny? How would you describe Melody's relationship with Penny? What jealousies does Melody feel regarding Penny? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Melody's friendship with Rose in the novel. What forms the initial basis of their friendship? How does their friendship evolve as Melody gains the ability to communicate? What discrimination does Rose face as she befriends Melody?

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