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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 say she needs after encountering Rachelle in the bathroom?

2. To what does Melinda compare her math teacher's love of algebra?

3. Where do the ninth graders go when they arrive on the first day of school?

4. Who sits with Melinda at lunch in "First Marking Period"?

5. Why does Melinda feel sad for her biology teacher?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. How does Melinda's former friend Rachel respond to Melinda in "First Marking Period"?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Speak is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Speak based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Speak is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for young teens versus adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Speak a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Melinda from the beginning of the book to who she is at the end of the book. How are they similar? How are they different? Which character do you like more? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Andy Evans and David Petrkis. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Speak help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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