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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 is Melinda's mother preoccupied with at work in September?

2. What does the Spanish teacher write on the board in "First Marking Period"?

3. What dress does Melinda think was distracting on her biology teacher?

4. What does Nichole make look easy?

5. What does Melinda take to art class after Thanksgiving?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Melinda refer to her teachers?

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

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

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

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

9. Who is Melinda's lab partner and how does she feel about her lab partner?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Many authors if queried would admit that they have an agenda for writing a particular novel. Discuss the following:

1. Define and give examples of the concept of "author agenda."

2. Do you think Anderson had an agenda in mind when she wrote Speak?

3. What do you think would be Anderson's agenda(s) (if she has one)? Give examples to illustrate how the agenda is fulfilled.

4. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

5. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Speak. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Anderson chooses the symbols she does? Do you think Anderson consciously decides upon the symbols to represent various elements of Speak? Why or why not?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in Speak. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Anderson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Anderson's use (or lack) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Anderson use too many or too little literary techniques? State to which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,031 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample