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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 has Melinda's parents noticed in "Third Marking Period"?

2. What does the artist she studies inspire Melinda to draw?

3. Where does David invite Melinda in "Third Marking Period"?

4. On what does Melinda's father blame her behavioral changes?

5. What does Heather discuss with Melinda in "Third Marking Period"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the book Mr. Freeman gives Melinda help her?

2. What has Melinda been doing more frequently in "Third Marking Period", and where does she end up one day?

3. What is the result of the meeting with Melinda, her parents, the guidance counselor and the principal?

4. Describe the ride with Mr. Freeman to Melinda's mother's workplace.

5. How does Melinda's focused work on an extra credit project backfire?

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

7. What ruins Melinda's leisurely walk to school?

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

9. What does Mr. Freeman believe is Melinda's problem in art class, and what does he do about it?

10. Why is Melinda worried about Rachel in "Fourth Marking Period", and what does she try to do to alleviate the worry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?

5. What type of plot do you think Speak is? Explain your response.

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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