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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. Who is in Melinda's art class that won't speak to her?

2. What list of ten items is given in "First Marking Period"?

3. Why does Melinda buy her lunch on her first day of school?

4. Fo what should students ask the art teacher?

5. How does Melinda's family communicate?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is Melinda's state of mind on the first day of high school, and how do the students on the bus treat her?

5. What does Melinda notice in her mirror and why don't Melinda's parents seem to notice the change in her?

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

7. How does Melinda refer to her teachers?

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

9. What class would Melinda avoid if possible and why?

10. After her parents are upset about her grades, what does Melinda do the next day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of rape is woven throughout Speak and plays a pivotal role in every aspect of the book. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of rape throughout Speak. How does the rape of Melinda play out in her daily life? How does it change her? Are there any positive aspects of Melinda's experience as a rape victim? What?

2. The title, Speak, succinctly sums up another aspect of the theme of rape. Why do you think Melinda and so many other girls/women are afraid or unwilling to speak up about being raped?

3. What do you think should happen to Andy Evans? Is he evil or mentally ill? Do you think he should go to prison or a place where he can receive mental therapy? What do you think makes a person rape? Could Andy have suffered abuse himself?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Speak interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Melinda. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Andy Evans. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Heather. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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