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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 Heather want to sign her and Melinda up to do?

2. What is Melinda's response to her parents' harangue at the dinner table?

3. What is Heather's results in the job day test?

4. To what does the art teacher welcome the students?

5. What does Melinda notice about her lips in the mirror?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the results of Melinda's participation in job day and how does Melinda feel about the event?

2. Describe Melinda's visit to Heather's home after school.

3. Why doesn't Melinda go trick or treating, and what does she do on Halloween?

4. What does Melinda do after school on Columbus Day?

5. Why does Melinda decorate the faculty lounge with Heather and what do the Marthas say about Melinda?

6. How do Melinda and her parents usually communicate and why?

7. What is Mr. Freeman like and what does he have the students do on the first day?

8. What is the topic of discussion at dinner after the interim reports come out, and how does Melinda respond?

9. What is making it more difficult for Melinda to talk, and what does she wish to do about what is keeping her quiet?

10. What do Melinda's parents order to do after school and how does Melinda "obey" them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Speak has sometimes been subjected to censorship because of its subject matter and the intended audience. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think a ninth-grade student in the "real" world is too young to read about rape and its aftermath?

2. Do you think many girls who are Melinda's age are raped?

3. Would reading a book such as Speak help a girl who has been raped? In what ways do you think it would help a victim of rape, especially one who is Melinda's age?

4. Do you think reading Speak could be harmful emotionally to students in high school and/or middle school?

Essay Topic 3

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).

(see the answer keys)

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