Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the full name of the author?
What is the full name of the author?
Laurie Halse Anderson
Where is the setting of the book?
Where is the setting of the book?
Syracuse, New York
What is the name of the main character's school?
What is the name of the main character's school?
Merryweather High School
What is the name of the main character?
What is the name of the main character?
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What is the main character's ex-bestfriend?
What is the main character's ex-bestfriend?
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Who did the main character make friends with on the first day of school?
Who did the main character make friends with on the first day of school?
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The main character gave her Social Studies teacher what nickname?
The main character gave her Social Studies teacher what nickname?
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The main character gave her English teacher what nickname?
The main character gave her English teacher what nickname?
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What was the main character's old clique?
What was the main character's old clique?
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What is the name of the main character's Art teacher?
What is the name of the main character's Art teacher?
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What object is Melinda assigned to use in Art for the rest of the year?
What object is Melinda assigned to use in Art for the rest of the year?
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What is IT's real name?
What is IT's real name?
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Who is the main character's lab partner?
Who is the main character's lab partner?
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What was the focus of David's experiment?
What was the focus of David's experiment?
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What fairytale did the main character compare her house to?
What fairytale did the main character compare her house to?
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Why did Heather come to the main character?
Why did Heather come to the main character?
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What part of the main character's body does she constantly have a problem with?
What part of the main character's body does she constantly have a problem with?
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What did 'Basketball Pole' spill on the main character in the cafeteria?
What did 'Basketball Pole' spill on the main character in the cafeteria?
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What does the main character call the Art Room? (Specific word)
What does the main character call the Art Room? (Specific word)
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Who said the quote, 'Ah-ah-ah, you just chose your destiny, you can't change that.'
Who said the quote, 'Ah-ah-ah, you just chose your destiny, you can't change that.'
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What is the principal's nickname given by the main character?
What is the principal's nickname given by the main character?
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What is Rachel's 'new name' when she starts hanging with the International Club?
What is Rachel's 'new name' when she starts hanging with the International Club?
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What is Heather's plan for her and the main character towards the beginning of the year?
What is Heather's plan for her and the main character towards the beginning of the year?
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What is the main character's getaway at school?
What is the main character's getaway at school?
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What topic did Ivy pull in Mr. Freeman's class?
What topic did Ivy pull in Mr. Freeman's class?
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Who is the main character's biology teacher?
Who is the main character's biology teacher?
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What does 'Linda' mean in Spanish?
What does 'Linda' mean in Spanish?
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What clan does Heather want to join?
What clan does Heather want to join?
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Who stands up to Mr. Neck and gets a tape recorder and a camera put into his room?
Who stands up to Mr. Neck and gets a tape recorder and a camera put into his room?
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Where does the main character's mother work?
Where does the main character's mother work?
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Where does the main character's father work?
Where does the main character's father work?
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The father buries the Thanksgiving turkey next to the main character's dead beagle. What was the name of the beagle?
The father buries the Thanksgiving turkey next to the main character's dead beagle. What was the name of the beagle?
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What job was Heather offered?
What job was Heather offered?
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Where does the main character cut herself?
Where does the main character cut herself?
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What does IT do to her when she's at the lunch table with the Marthas?
What does IT do to her when she's at the lunch table with the Marthas?
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Who sends the main character a letter on her locker for Valentine's Day?
Who sends the main character a letter on her locker for Valentine's Day?
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What is the main character's punishment, given by the guidance counselor, for not showing up to classes?
What is the main character's punishment, given by the guidance counselor, for not showing up to classes?
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Why does the main character start packing her lunch?
Why does the main character start packing her lunch?
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When the main character has an internal debate, the book refers to them as 'Melinda One' and 'Melinda Two.' Which one turns her away from everyone?
When the main character has an internal debate, the book refers to them as 'Melinda One' and 'Melinda Two.' Which one turns her away from everyone?
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Define pun.
Define pun.
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Define personification.
Define personification.
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Define simile.
Define simile.
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Define metaphor.
Define metaphor.
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Define symbolism.
Define symbolism.
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Mean teacher who writes Melinda up for skipping class and/or being tardy.
Mean teacher who writes Melinda up for skipping class and/or being tardy.
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Tells Melinda that drawing a tree is her 'destiny'.
Tells Melinda that drawing a tree is her 'destiny'.
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Teacher who comes up with weird writing prompts.
Teacher who comes up with weird writing prompts.
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Who says the following quote: 'No imagination! What are you 13, 14? You've already let them beat your creativity out of you'?
Who says the following quote: 'No imagination! What are you 13, 14? You've already let them beat your creativity out of you'?
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Identify the literary device: 'Art follows lunch, like a dream follows a nightmare.'
Identify the literary device: 'Art follows lunch, like a dream follows a nightmare.'
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What type of conflict is this? Melinda has a hard time getting to school because of a huge snowstorm.
What type of conflict is this? Melinda has a hard time getting to school because of a huge snowstorm.
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What type of conflict is this? Melinda gets in trouble for being late to class because the school rules are rigid.
What type of conflict is this? Melinda gets in trouble for being late to class because the school rules are rigid.
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Identify the literary device: 'I stand in the center aisle of the auditorium, a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special.'
Identify the literary device: 'I stand in the center aisle of the auditorium, a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special.'
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Identify the literary device: 'Mr. Neck storms into class, a bull chasing thirty-three red flags.'
Identify the literary device: 'Mr. Neck storms into class, a bull chasing thirty-three red flags.'
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Identify the literary device: 'The words fall like nails on the floor, hard, pointed.'
Identify the literary device: 'The words fall like nails on the floor, hard, pointed.'
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'The turkey floats in the sink, a ten-pound turkey iceberg. A turkeyberg. I feel very much like the Titanic.' Is this a simile, metaphor, or an allusion?
'The turkey floats in the sink, a ten-pound turkey iceberg. A turkeyberg. I feel very much like the Titanic.' Is this a simile, metaphor, or an allusion?
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Melinda's mom loves her job but she cut back on hours to spend more time with Melinda.
Melinda's mom loves her job but she cut back on hours to spend more time with Melinda.
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Melinda told her parents she was going to the end-of-the-summer party and told them what happened when she got home.
Melinda told her parents she was going to the end-of-the-summer party and told them what happened when she got home.
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Maya Angelou provides inspiration for Melinda.
Maya Angelou provides inspiration for Melinda.
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Melinda and her family communicate mostly through writing notes to each other.
Melinda and her family communicate mostly through writing notes to each other.
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When Mr. Freeman talks about famous painters (Pollock, O'Keefe, etc.), this is a simile, metaphor, personification, or allusion?
When Mr. Freeman talks about famous painters (Pollock, O'Keefe, etc.), this is a simile, metaphor, personification, or allusion?
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What theme do the changing mascots, Picasso's phases, and Hairwoman's changing looks relate to?
What theme do the changing mascots, Picasso's phases, and Hairwoman's changing looks relate to?
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An outward reflection of how Melinda is doing on the inside.
An outward reflection of how Melinda is doing on the inside.
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A symbol of Melinda's isolation.
A symbol of Melinda's isolation.
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Literary allusion to a character who becomes a social outcast.
Literary allusion to a character who becomes a social outcast.
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A symbol of growth.
A symbol of growth.
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A symbol of freedom.
A symbol of freedom.
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Symbolizes the perception and confrontation of reality.
Symbolizes the perception and confrontation of reality.
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Study Notes
Author and Setting
- Author of the novel: Laurie Halse Anderson
- Setting of the story: Syracuse, New York
Main Characters and Relationships
- Main character: Melinda
- Melinda's ex-best friend: Rachel
- Melinda's first friend at school: Heather
- Lab partner: David Petrakis
- Art teacher: Mr. Freeman
- Social Studies teacher: Mr. Neck
- English teacher: Hairwoman
School and Structure
- Name of Melinda's school: Merryweather High School
- Melinda's old clique: The Plain Janes
- Principal's nickname: Principal Principal
- Melinda's escape spot at school: An abandoned janitor's closet
Key Events and Symbols
- Melinda's assigned art project: A tree
- Melinda compares her house to the fairytale: Alice in Wonderland
- The nickname for Christmas dinner turkey's burial: Ariel (Melinda's deceased beagle)
- Heather's plan for clubs: Join five clubs, one for each school day
Character Experiences
- Melinda struggles with her lip throughout the story
- "Basketball Pole" spills mashed potatoes on Melinda during lunch
- Melinda cuts herself in her closet as a coping mechanism
- David focuses his science project on getting into Harvard
Literary Devices
- Define pun: A play on words
- Define personification: Giving human qualities to non-human entities
- Define simile: A comparison using "like" or "as"
- Define metaphor: A comparison without "like" or "as"
- Define symbolism: Objects representing broader meanings
Conflicts and Themes
- Melinda's internal conflict: "Melinda One" (chooses engagement) vs. "Melinda Two" (chooses isolation)
- Melinda's struggles with societal expectations: Man vs. society conflict
- External conflict with nature: Melinda facing difficulties due to a snowstorm
- Key themes include identity and isolation, illustrated through changing mascots and mirrors representing perception
Important Quotes and Allusions
- Mr. Freeman's quote on destiny regarding art: "Ah-ah-ah, you just chose your destiny, you can't change that."
- Reference to famous painters as an allusion in discussions led by Mr. Freeman
- Literary allusion to "The Scarlet Letter" as an example of social outcasting
Melinda's Internal State
- Melinda's grades serve as an outward reflection of her mental state
- Closets symbolize Melinda's isolation throughout the narrative
- Seeds symbolize growth, while birds represent freedom within Melinda's life
Miscellaneous
- Heather received a modeling offer
- Melinda's interactions with her parents primarily conducted through note writing
- Maya Angelou serves as a source of inspiration for Melinda
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the novel 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson with these flashcards. This quiz covers key characters, settings, and plot points from Part 1 of the book. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of the material!
