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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 remember about the summer party?

2. What causes Melinda a great deal of consternation in "Fourth Marking Period"?

3. What can any student do to bring up a poor social studies grade?

4. What does Melinda's mother tell her in a note in "Second Marking Period"?

5. Where does Melinda go when she arrives at Effert's?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Melinda's parents decide about her Christmas vacation, so what does Melinda do?

2. Describe the traumatic event that took place for Melinda at the party the summer before.

3. Describe the incident in art class when Mr. Freeman's honesty hurts Melinda.

4. What does the physical education teacher discover about Melindal and what is the result?

5. What is Melinda's response to Heather's talk in "Third Marking Period"?

6. How did Melinda happen to go to a party where there are alcohol and older students in the past?

7. What is Mr. Freeman doing during art class in "Second Marking Period"?

8. What book does the class begin to study in English, and what is Melinda's response to it?

9. How does the extra credit project end Melinda up at the principal's office?

10. How does Melinda's pleasure at making posters turn into a nightmare?

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,297 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample