First Marking Period
What was Merryweather High’s original mascot?
The Trojans
Who does the poster in Melinda’s janitor closet depict?
Maya Angelou
DAILY DOUBLE !!!
The first time Melinda decides to skip school after seeing Andy Evans outside the bakery, where does she go?
The mall
Analyze the following quote: “Rachel/Rachelle has lost her mind … She went to the movies with Andy Beast and her exchange friends and now she follows after him, panting like a bichon frise.” (149).
Which two characters from MSND can Rachel and Andy be compared to in this situation?
This is comparable to the situation that Helena and Demetrius were in while they were alone in the forest together. “I am your spaniel, and, Demetrius, the more you beat me I will fawn on you.” (II.i.210-211)
Identify 1 literary device in the following quote:
“She doesn’t say a word. She is already dead. A scream starts in my gut---I can feel the cut, smell the dirt, leaves in my hair.” (81).
Pathos
Including Melinda, how many people were in Melinda’s middle school friend group? (Extra 50 points if you can tell me what friend group each girl is in now)
Nicole -> Jocks, Ivy -> Both the Suffering Artists and the Thespians, Jessica -> Moved to Nevada so we don’t know, Rachel -> Foreign exchange students
Why does Melinda hurt herself?
“I open up a paper clip and scratch it across the inside of my left wrist. Pitiful. If a suicide attempt is a cry for help, then what is this? A whimper, a peep?” (87).
Melinda harms herself to distract her from the pain of reality while at the same time crying for help.
On Valentine’s day, who does Melinda expect the sender of her Valentine's day card to be?
David Petrakis. “David Petrakis is fighting to stay awake. Does he like me? … Do I want him to like me? … No. I just want anyone to like me.” (109)
DAILY DOUBLE !!!
How does Melinda decide to warn Rachel about Andy Evans? How does Melinda ensure that Rachel won’t know that the note is from her?
“I write her a note, a left-handed note, so she won’t know it’s from me.” (152).
DAILY DOUBLE !!!
Identify 1 literary device in the following quote:
“I reach in and wrap my fingers around a triangle of glass. I hold it to Andy Evan’s neck … Me: ‘I said no.’ … Someone is pounding on the door … Nicole is there, along with the lacrosse team---sweaty, angry, their sticks held high.” (195)
Poetic Justice: Andy Evans’ terrible actions can now be revealed to the world and Melinda learned to stand up to the person she feared most in the world.
Which one of these statements is NOT part of the list “The First Ten Lies They Tell You In High School” that Melinda made on the first day of school?
We expect more of you here
Your locker combination is private
Our school is a safe and welcoming community
The dress code will be enforced
This is a trick question and all of the options above are part of Melinda’s list
Number 3, "Our school is a safe and welcoming community" was not part of Melinda's list.
What was the one sentence Melinda used to describe David Petrakis leaving Mr. Neck’s class after his racist debate on immigration?
“I have never heard a more eloquent silence.” (57).
What was the excuse Heather gave Melinda when she decided to cut off their friendship?
“I think it’s time for us to both admit that we … are … just … very … different.” (105).
What does Melinda write on the walls of the bathroom stalls?
“I start another subject thread on the wall: Guys to Stay Away From. The first entry is the Beast himself: Andy Evans.” (175).
Identify 2 literary devices in the following quote:
“I’m hanging a poster outside the metal-shop when IT creeps up. Little flecks of metal slice through my veins. IT whispers to me.” (86).
Hyperbole: Flecks of metal are not literally slicing through Melinda right now
Pathos: Melinda’s attacker is now whispering in her ear.
Identify and explain 2 of the Speak themes in this quote:
“This was the girl who suffered through Brownies with me, who taught me how to swim, who understood my parents, who didn’t make fun of my bedroom. If there is anyone in the entire galaxy I am dying to tell what really happened, it’s Rachel.” (5).
Friendship and Language/Communication
While Melinda is hanging up the posters she made for Heather, IT passes by her and whispers one word into her ear. What is this word?
“‘Freshmeat.” That’s what IT whispers” (86).
How does Melinda end up at the Lady of Mercy Hospital while skipping school?
Melinda goes to the Lady of Mercy Hospital by accident. She fell asleep on the bus and missed her stop to go to the mall. “I find Lady of Mercy Hospital by accident. I fall asleep on the bus and miss the mall completely.” (111).
How does Melinda stop Andy Evans from harming her in the janitor closet?
Melinda grabs a shard of glass and holds it to Andy’s neck. “I reach in and wrap my fingers around a triangle of glass. I hold it to Andy Evan’s neck. He freezes .. He raises his arms over his head.” (195).
Identify 2 literary devices in the following quote:
“I hang up and snuggle into my couch nest with the remote. Click. Click. Click, If my life were a TV show, what would it be? If it were an After-School Special, I would speak in front of an auditorium of my peers on How Not to Lose Your Virginity … Was I raped?” (164).
Onomatopoeia: Click. Click. Click
Epiphany: Melinda finally comes to terms with the thought that she truly was raped that one summer night.
Melinda portrays herself differently depending on who she’s with, she states, “I am a good actor. I have a whole range of smiles.“ (33). List two groups of people that Melinda says she uses different smiles with.
1. Melinda uses the "shy, look-up-through-the-bangs smile" for staff members.
2. Melinda uses the "crinkly-eye smile with a quick shake of her head" for teachers.
Why is Melinda’s mom adamant about cooking a Thanksgiving dinner each year?
“Cooking Thanksgiving dinner means something to her. It’s like a holy obligation … If my mother cooks a proper Thanksgiving dinner, it says we’ll be a family for one more year.” (58).
Melinda’s mom believes that cooking a yearly Thanksgiving dinner will make the family feel whole and connected again.
Describe how Mr. Freeman’s car is in reality vs. how Melinda expected Mr. Freeman’s car to be.
It is a blue Volvo … I had him figured for an old VW bus. It is clean. I had visions of art supplies, posters and rotting fruit everywhere.” (121).
Explain the situation in which Melinda decides to stand up for herself for the first time.
Melinda refuses Heather’s desperate pleas to help her decorate the inn ballroom for the prom.
“She collapses into the chair again. ‘You have to help me.’
Me: ‘No, I don’t.’” (179).
Identify 3 literary devices in the following quote:
“I will forever be known as ‘the girl who got nailed by potatoes the first day.’ The Basketball Pole apologizes and says something else, but four hundred people explode in laughter and I can’t read lips. I ditch my tray and bolt for the door.” (8).
Pathos: “I can’t read lips. I ditch my tray and bolt for the door.”
Reverse personification: Melinda refers to the tall student as “The Basketball Pole.”
Hyperbole: Melinda won’t forever be known as “the girl who got nailed by potatoes.”