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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. Who does Melinda worry about concerning Andy?

2. What does Mr. Freeman's painting express?

3. Where does Melinda begin working at Christmas break?

4. What did the summer party have that Melinda's mother does not know about?

5. To where does Melinda catch the bus in "Third Marking Period"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Heather tell Melinda in "Third Marking Period" that upsets Melinda?

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

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

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

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

6. How does Melinda hurt herself in biology class?

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

8. What touches Melinda emotionally on Christmas Day and what happens?

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

10. What does Melinda notice about IT in April?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,139 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample