Speak 2 Discussion Questions pp. 49 - 92

1. Discuss Melinda's decline, including physical symptoms.

Answer: It was harder for her to talk to anybody because of what happened over the summer. Sometimes it's scared for her to even say anything to her parents.

2. Analyze the social studies "debate" and its aftermath. Note who challenges the teacher and the position each person takes. How do you feel about this type debate? Is the teacher right or wrong? Do students have a right to challenge a teacher?

Answer: David, the brave kid. It feels kind of racist and stupid about the Native Americans, also his son losing his job. Mr. Neck is so wrong about this argument. They truly do.

3. Who is a "real" American? What do you think of Mr. Neck's opinion? Going by his definition, are some of you not really Americans?

Answer: David. I think that his opinion is way bogus because David is right you can't get out of a debate when you make one. Sometimes.

4. Discuss the Thanksgiving dinner for Melinda's family and why this is significant.

Answer: She says that her family ate some pizza for Thanksgiving because Melinda's parents couldn't afford any food that holiday. I think that her family is living a struggling life.

5. Analyze Melinda's statement about her parents, "I bet they'd be divorced by now if I hadn't been born." What does this reflect about her self esteem?

Answer: Her family is getting worser by the minute, and that's not helping Melinda out much.

6. Examine Melinda's references to her secret and what this reveals about her relationship with her parents. What do you think happened at that party?

Answer: She got raped by this boy named Andy, and they used to be together over the summer. So Melinda called the police about it, and he went to jail.

7. Discuss Melinda's athletic ability, her attitude toward being on the basketball team, and the comparison she makes between basketball and life.

Answer: I think that Melinda has a lot of potential in becoming a basketball player one day. It could change her life someday.

8. Analyze the deterioration of the relationship between Melinda and Heather. Why is it that people sometimes like us more when they can get something out of us? Are the Marthas good friends to Heather? Why or why not?

Answer: They're so selfish like that all the time. Not really. Why not because they keep on yelling at her for no paranoid reason.

9. What should we value in other people? What qualities are important in a person? What do you usually notice first about people? Does that really matter?

Answer: By trusting them more in what they do for themselves, and what they do for a living. That you can get along with them, and maybe they'll like you for who you are. When they're a bad person inside of them. Yes it really matters.

10. Examine Melinda's reference to IT.

Answer: IT is referred to Andy Evans. The one and only guy who raped her at that party. She does not like him very often.

11. Discuss the school conference with Melinda'a parents and the aftermath. What do you think about Melinda's suicide attempt? Was it real? What does it indicate? What do oyu think about her mother's reaction?

Answer: I think that was crazy. Honestly I think it was real. Totally disappointing.