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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. Where does Melinda's mother work?

2. What at is the big question Melinda asks herself after she boards the bus?

3. Who is Mr. Freeman?

4. What poster is on the wall in Melinda's space at school?

5. Why does Melinda see math as being easy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Melinda refer to her teachers?

2. How does Melinda find a safe space for herself at school and what is the space like?

3. How does Melinda continue to fix up her closet at school?

4. What are some names Melinda comes up with for groups of students in the auditorium, and to what group does she belong?

5. What happens in algebra class that feels disastrous to Melinda?

6. What is Heather's plan for Melinda and herself?

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

8. About what is Mr. Neck upset and what is one student's response?

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

10. Who are the Marthas and why does Melinda talk about them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?

5. What type of plot do you think Speak is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Any work of fiction has some similarities, yet the structure can engender differences. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the structure of Speak and how it informs the plot.

2. Why do you think Anderson chooses to structure Speak the way she does? Give examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Many readers love novels and are indifferent to short stories, and vice versa. Discuss why you think some readers would enjoy one format over another.

4. Choose a short, one-act play and compare it to Speak as far as how structure affects the reading experience.

Essay Topic 3

Melinda is a ninth grader (about age 13) throughout the novel. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Melinda seems like an average 13 year old? Give examples and why you say the activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Melinda seems older than her age of 13? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Melinda as she is developed throughout the book.

3. Is it realistic to think a 13 year old can handle the trauma of rape alone? Where do you think Melinda could have turned to for help?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,010 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample