Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage from Book 2, chapter 2, which focuses on how the author’s craft contributes to a fleeting sense of freedom in contrast to the typically brutal setting of Oceania, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Identify textual details that contrast the harshness and abruptness typically associated with totalitarian Oceania Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of assonance and sibilance and analyze how literary devices contribute to text complexity Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the character of Syme from Book 1, chapter 5, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the events preceding Hate Week from Book 2, chapter 5, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Analyze the significance of weather conditions in terms of the Party’s goals for Hate Week Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of two quizzes covering Book 3, chapters 1 through 3, of George Orwell’s 1984. A multiple choice quiz and short answer option are included. Use one for post-reading comprehension checks, and use the other as a guided reading worksheet or re-assessment opportunity. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Winston’s imprisonment A prole woman with the last name of Smith An imprisoned poet and his crime Parson’s imprisonment and his crime Who turned Parsons in for his crime Winston’s suicidal thoughts O’Brien’s torture techniques/methods of persuasion The Party’s efforts to control the mind Winston’s growing appreciation for O’Brien The Party’s efforts to eliminate their opposition O’Brien’s comments about Julia Room 101

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of two quizzes covering Book 1, chapters 7 and 8, of George Orwell’s 1984. A multiple choice quiz and short answer option are included. Use one for post-reading comprehension checks, and use the other as a guided reading worksheet or re-assessment opportunity. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Winston’s assessment on who would best stage a revolt against the government Winston’s reasoning behind the aforementioned assessment The logic as to why the proles would not likely stage a revolt Living conditions A photograph and Winston’s concerns about it Winston’s belief on how reality should be determined Winston’s curiosity about actual history (not the Party-sanctioned accounts of it) Winston’s fear over being followed An alternative to the Thought Police’s torture

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of two quizzes covering Book 1, chapters 4 through 6, of George Orwell’s 1984. A multiple choice quiz and short answer option are included. Use one for post-reading comprehension checks, and use the other as a guided reading worksheet or re-assessment opportunity. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Comrade Withers The concept of “unpersoning” someone The purpose of Newspeak Examples of Doublespeak An explanation of Facecrime Syme’s intelligence and Winston’s concerns about it Syme’s work Ironic messaging from the Ministry of Plenty Winston’s diary entry The government’s goal concerning sexual behavior Winston’s ex-wife Winston’s internal strife

Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz on the short story “The Leap” by Louise Erdrich. An answer key is included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Anna’s degenerative condition Anna’s professional background Events leading to Harold’s death The means by which the narrator learned of her mother’s brush with death Challenges Anna faced throughout life How Anna’s choices influenced the course of her life, as well as the life of her daughter Practical skills Anna learned while in the hospital The reason the narrator returns home many years later Anna’s efforts to save her daughter’s life What the narrator learns about falling

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering “The Interlopers” by Saki. This resource may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The story’s setting The story’s point of view A legal judgment and corresponding conflict A secret wish The encounter between Ulrich and Georg A complication A major realization and sudden friendship The resolution The title’s significance

Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “Alicia and I Talking on Edna’s Steps.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the greater significance of a given detail (“I like Alicia because once she gave me a little leather purse with the word GUADALAJARA stitched on it”) Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare two characters in the novel (Esperanza and Alicia) Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and paradox

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 10, 11, and 12 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Phoebe (her humor, creativity, and biggest imperfection according to Holden) The Lavender Room Holden’s actions in the Lavender Room (ordering drinks, flirting, etc.) The history of Holden and Jane’s friendship Textual evidence that supports how Holden felt closest to Jane (baseball glove) Jane’s alcoholic father “All you knew is you were happy” Horwitz Ernie’s nightclub The significance of these chapters in terms of our understanding of Holden’s character (his loneliness and search for companionship)

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of two quizzes covering Book 2, chapters 9 and 10, of George Orwell’s 1984. A multiple choice quiz and short answer option are included. Use one for post-reading comprehension checks, and use the other as a guided reading worksheet or re-assessment opportunity. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Winston’s 90-hour work week Oceania’s new enemy Goldstein’s book Crimestop A singing prole woman “We are the dead” The picture on the wall and what it conceals The sudden appearance of troops A realization about Mr. Charrington

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 3 and 4 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define challenging words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore nuances in words with similar meanings Discern the greater significance of given details Determine the intended effect of the author’s stylistic choices Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the tone of a given excerpt Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on slang, personification, metaphor, and simile Explore themes in context

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 14 and 15 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern the greater significance and intended effects of given details Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Consider the symbolism associated with Mazer Rackham Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on situational irony Explore themes in context

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 9 and 10 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern the greater significance of given details Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context Consider historical context when answering questions about plot Discern the intended effects of given details Determine the function of a given detail Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more Explore themes in context

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 11 through 13 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern the greater significance of given details Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context Consider historical context when answering questions about plot Discern the intended effects of given details Determine the function of a given character or chapter Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism, pun, ambiguity, foreshadowing, rhetorical question, dramatic irony, and verbal irony, Explore themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school readers go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the prologue of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings (“Two households, both alike in dignity,” “Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean,” “What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend,” and more) Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Consider historical context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Outsider.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate more purposeful engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a Halloween-themed short story unit for grades 9 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The narrator’s previous experiences Conditions of the setting The narrator’s acquisition of his education The narrator’s desire for light A discovery beyond a trap door A violation of the narrator’s expectations The cause of mass panic The effect of the mirror in terms of plot development The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 1 and 2 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view The tone of Holden’s voice Where Holden is at the start of the story Holden’s family Reason for Holden’s dismissal from Pencey Prep Holden’s irresponsible behaviors and actions Visiting Mr. Spencer “Life is a game” Mr. Spencer’s advice to Holden Holden’s awful paper on ancient Egyptians Holden’s lack of willingness to confront his own actions

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 7, 8, and 9 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Holden’s difficulties in falling asleep A late-night conversation with Ackley Holden’s decision to leave for New York abruptly Holden’s decision to delay returning to his parents’ apartment Holden’s train ride encounter with Ms. Morrow and the ensuing conversation Holden’s hypocrisy Holden’s loneliness Holden’s attempt to set himself up on a date Holden’s judgment of many other hotel patrons

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the Parsons family from Book 1, chapter 2, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature