CHARACTERS
COMPREHENSION
SYMBOLS
MERRYWEATHER HIGH
MISCELLANEOUS
100
Melinda’s ex best friend and girlfriend of “IT”
Who is Rachel/Rachelle?
100

What two activities help Melinda overcome her trauma and find her voice again?

What are gardening and art?

100
It shows her growth and development.
What is a TREE?
100
Explain why Melinda’s favorite class in school is art.
What are: *It allows her to “breath” *She is not being picked on *Mr. Freeman and her have a good relationship (other answers are acceptable)
100
Explain the significance in the title of the novel
*Melinda is helpless in her attack against Andy *She becomes withdrawn, unsure, fearful of what has happened to her *Develops the strength and courage to stand up (PER DAVID PETRAKIS!)
200

"Art without emotion is like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag."

Who is Mr. Freeman? 

200
Hairwoman told us that in English, “Everything stands for something.” In Speak trees, mirrors, and mouth are all
What are symbols?
200
Illustrates Melinda's low self-esteem, her inability to look at herself.
What are mirrors?
200

How does everyone find out that Melinda is telling the truth?

When Andy attacks her again.

200
Describe Melinda’s sanctuary
*Janitor’s closet *Feels safe, nobody to judge her *Decorates it *Comes to realize she no longer needs it at the end because she can stand up for herself
300
Inappropriate history teacher who tries to force Melinda to speak in front of the entire class
Who is Mr. Neck?
300
The central idea of the story or the meaning as to why the novel was written.
What is theme?
300
Identify at least one instance when Melinda attempts to “Speak” the truth about what happened on “that night,” prior to her frog experiment.
When are: *Christmas *Pep Rally *Her first encounter with Rachel (There are several others to accept)
300
Explain how Andy Evan’s reputation changes as the novel progresses.
Andy is thought to be popular, confident, gets what he wants. However, the bathroom stall and the incident with Melinda show his true colors.
300
Describe the relationship Melinda has with Mr. Freeman
*She confides in him *Trusts him *Speaks to him first *Is encouraged, inspired by him (Picasso) *Wants to hear what she has to say
400
The antagonist of the novel who opposes our protagonist Melinda
Who is Andy Evans, The Beast, IT?
400

Why does Melinda feel relieved when she sees others have written about Andy Evans on the bathroom wall?

She no longer feels alone. Other people also experience pain, insecurity, and isolation.

400

Give at least one reason why Laurie Halse Anderson draws references to Melinda’s MOUTH and chooses to use it as a symbol.

What are: *Melinda does not speak *Tape over the TURKEY’S mouth *Melinda failed to say anything on that night *Melinda is nervous and bites her lips *Her lips are constantly chapped, bleeding (Other answers are acceptable)

400
What are Melinda’s feelings about David Petrakis and how do they change as the novel progresses.
At first she seems him as a lab partner or “the smart kid in class” *Then she begins to develop feelings for him as friend *She begins to rely on him for advice, support and the potential of being more than friends
400
Melinda's daydream about the talk shows helps her to realize this
What is The rape was NOT her fault?
500
An unlikely friend of Melinda who confesses that Andy Evans is “Bad News”
Who is Ivy?
500

"...you got it wrong. The suffragettes were all about speaking up, screaming for their rights. You can't speak up for your right to be silent. That's letting the bad guys win."

Who is David Petrakis?

500
Identify at least one example when Melinda’s sense of SMELL overcomes her to recount “that night”
What are: *The frog juice *”Its” cologne *Smell of the mud (There are others)
500
Explain 2 specific details about what happened “that night” Melinda was attacked by Andy Evans.
*Melinda went to senior party *Andy approached her *She was flattered he showed an interest in her, thought he was boyfriend material *He kissed her *She was drunk and tried to fight him off, but could not do so
500
Rachel stops believing Melinda's story about the rape when she says this
What is the rapist was Andy Evans?
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