English mp1 Flashcards
What is Melinda’s mood as the book begins? As you read the first section of Speak list reasons why you believe she might be feeling this way.
She was feeling nervous, anxious, depressed, and sad because she had no friends and she lost lots of her old friends. She feels like an outcast.
Melinda repeatedly alludes to an event that occurred in her recent past. What do you think may have happened to her?
Maybe she called the police on her friends
What happened in our teachers are the best?
She got a demerit for walking around in the hall and met a few of her teachers and does not like them. Mr. Neck does not like her. Only likes mr freedman.
Why do you think Melinda has such difficult speaking to Mr. Neck when he confronts her during lunch?
She doesnt think he will understand and she thinks it will be better if she stays quiet. He only cares about football.
What does the word sanctuary mean?
A safe place
Describe Melinda’s art class. What is the room like? What is her teacher, Mr. Freeman like?
Her art class is a place that she feels safe at. He thinks that they have no creativity. Her classroom is in the back of the school where the sun does not shine. Mr. Freeman is spiritual and calming.
How might Mr. Freeman’s last name work on a symbolic level in Speak?
He believes in being free spiritually and free with your ideas. She is feeling trapped and he is the opposite and is helping her open up about her feelings.
Summarize Espanol?
Her teacher only speaks Spanish to them. The students dont understand what she is saying so they look at the spanish-english dictionary to look. Melinda feels like it is a waste of time to be there.
Describe Melina’s room. Why do you think it looks like this? What does Melinda’s room suggest about her character?
It is pink with roses because her friends wanted to redo their rooms so she did too. It suggests that she was more worried about making her friends happy than herself. Her bedroom is stuck in the past and does not reflect how she is now. Symbolizes her loss of identity.
What does Melinda do with the mirror in her bedroom? Why do you think she does this? What might this action symbolize?
She takes it off the wall and puts it in her closet facing the wall. She does not like seeing how she looks in the mirror. She can’t even recognize herself now because she has changed so much. She doesn’t want to face herself or her trauma.
What is the true meaning of, “I have been dropped like a pop tart on a cold kitchen floor”? What is this meant to show us?
Her friends gave up on her so fast and she wasn’t even given a chance to talk to them about it. She is still surprised about it and hasn’t gotten over it yet.
What are the different meanings for the word burrow?
A house for animals, or a hole in the ground that something can dig
How does Melinda use the neglected janitor’s closet? Why does she need this room?
She was trying to get away from her teacher mr. neck and hid in it. She uses it as a space to hangout by herself and not see other people and to skip classes. She uses this closet for a place to burrow and for her to be safe and alone.
What new information is revealed about Melinda’s past?
She called the police while at a party during the summer and peoples siblings got arrested at the party because of her
With the introduction of IT, more is revealed about Melinda’s past. What do you think really happened over the summer?
Maybe IT is the person who hurt her or put her in danger. She called the police because of this IT person.
Who are the Marthas? What are they know for?
They coordinate their outfits, volunteer and do charity.
Based on this revelation, what do you think may have happened to Melinda?
Maybe she was being hurt or was in danger and needed help.
