Speak: Fourth Marking Period

by Laurie Halse Anderson
After calling the police during an end-of-summer party, Melinda is an outcast at school. How can Melinda tell the truth about what really happened when she won't even speak?

Here are links to our lists for the novel: First Marking Period, Second Marking Period, Third Marking Period, Fourth Marking Period

Here are links to our lists for other works by Laurie Halse Anderson: Speak: The Graphic Novel, Chains, Fever 1793, Shout
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. tenacious
    stubbornly unyielding
    We are tenacious, stinging, clever.
  2. genetics
    the study of heredity and variation in organisms
    The last unit of the year in biology is genetics.
  3. momentum
    an impelling force or strength
    The friendly momentum keeps Rachel/Rachelle and Andy walking all the way to the end of the hall.
  4. muse
    the source of an artist's inspiration
    Instead of leaving me alone to “find my muse” (a real quote, I swear), he lands on the stool next to me and starts criticizing.
  5. delinquency
    an antisocial misdeed in violation of the law by a minor
    She and Kim take mental-health days together. They buy shoes and go to the movies. Cutting-edge adult delinquency.
  6. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
    The sun appears butter-yellow and so warm it coaxes tulips out of the crusty mud.
  7. callus
    a skin area that is thick or hard from continual pressure
    I have calluses on my hands from yard work.
  8. exemption
    immunity from an obligation or duty
    The cheerleaders have obtained some sort of special exemption to roam the hall in a pack with pens in hand to seek out autographs of staff and students.
  9. sleazy
    morally degraded
    Greasy, sleazy, foul-mouthed, and unwashed, he’ll make a great addition to a state college fraternity.
  10. maladjusted
    emotionally unstable and having difficulty coping with personal relationships
    My mother can’t believe it: a living, breathing friend on the front porch for her maladjusted daughter!
  11. chenille
    a heavy fabric woven from soft tufted cord
    She kicks a chenille bunny who was sleeping in my robe on the floor.
  12. leper
    a pariah who is avoided by others
    She is talking to the village leper.
  13. afghan
    a blanket knitted or crocheted in strips or squares
    When I wake up, it’s past midnight, and someone has covered me with an afghan.
  14. allegedly
    according to what has been declared but not proved
    The total damage included one stomach pumped, three breakups of long-term relationships, one lost diamond earring, four outrageous hotel-room parties, and five matching tattoos allegedly decorating the behinds of the senior class officers.
  15. loathsome
    highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
    He is not as tall as my memories, but is still loathsome.
Created on Fri Feb 15 13:15:03 EST 2013 (updated Fri Aug 08 14:46:40 EDT 2025)

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