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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 Melinda's family end up eating on Thanksgiving?

2. How does Melinda's family communicate?

3. What does Melinda name the high school's principal?

4. What does Melinda say she needs after encountering Rachelle in the bathroom?

5. Where does Melinda's mother work?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens to Melinda in the cafeteria at lunch on the first day of school?

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

4. Who introduces herself to Melinda in "First Marking Period", and why is she friendly when no one else is?

5. Describe Melinda's Thanksgiving Day.

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

7. How does Melinda feel about Algebra compared to other math courses she has taken?

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

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

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

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Speak.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Speak. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Speak. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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