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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 call "crap"?

2. About what does Melinda think when she is looking in the mirror at Efferts?

3. What causes Melinda to feel uncomfortable in "Third Marking Period"?

4. What is something Melinda receives from her parents for Christmas?

5. What does Melinda remember about the summer party?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who invites Melinda to his home in "Third Marking Period", and what is her response?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. How does Melinda hurt herself in biology class?

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of power in Speak. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power and/or have the most power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of abandonment in Speak. Who is abandoned? Why? Who does the abandoning? Why? Do Melinda's parents abandon her? Why or why not? Do you think Melinda is embraced back into the "fold" of humanity? How? When? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of change. Who changes in Speak? Who seems to stay stagnant? What are the reasons the characters change who do so? Why do some characters not change? Do you think Melinda's changes at the end of the book will last? Why or why not? What would it take to make Andy change? Do you think there is hope for the young man? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Any work of fiction has some similarities, yet the structure can engender differences. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the structure of Speak and how it informs the plot.

2. Why do you think Anderson chooses to structure Speak the way she does? Give examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Many readers love novels and are indifferent to short stories, and vice versa. Discuss why you think some readers would enjoy one format over another.

4. Choose a short, one-act play and compare it to Speak as far as how structure affects the reading experience.

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)

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