Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
This close reading assessment features 11 text-dependent, high-order questions to promote improved reading comprehension and analysis of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost (Act 1, scene 2). An answer key is included, as are Word Document and PDF versions of the assessment.
This resource aligns well to Academic Literacy Project teaching principles and may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
In addition to helping students gain deeper understanding of the material and greater confidence in their ability to read and comprehend complex texts, this resource was designed to prepare students for ACT-style questioning.
By engaging in this exercise, students will:
Discern and articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make reasonable inferences about why the quickness of Moth’s responses frustrates Armado
Articulate Armado’s internal conflict in the context of an excerpt
Analyze Moth’s dialogue to discern what is implied about women who wear makeup
Analyze Moth’s asides to discern and articulate what they reveal about his true feelings
Conduct brief research on the topic of Humorism
Analyze Costard’s use of malaprops and explain why Shakespeare had him speak in such a manner
Interpret figurative language with emphasis on metaphor (“love is a devil”)
Make an inference about what Armado finds reassuring about the tale of Samson
Apply knowledge of situational irony by explaining what is unexpected about Cupid’s powers
Articulate the significance of of Armado’s closing soliloquy
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
For many high school readers, horror and psychological fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Sphinx” by Edgar Allan Poe features plot elements consistent with both genres: a cholera epidemic, social isolation, omens, fear of death, and more. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine how complex characters think, behave, and interact
Explore character motivations
Define complex words as they are used in context
Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings
Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace a given word without changing fundamental meaning
Paraphrase information
Make logical inferences based on context clues
Explain how a given detail (the fact that it was “an exceedingly warm day”) is an example of paradox
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including hyperbole
Identify several examples of the narrator’s self-awareness
Identify several examples of the narrator’s questionable judgment
Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, logic, and precision
This resource extends beyond text comprehension, helping high school students analyze the formal elements of fiction and respond thoughtfully in writing to questions about fairy tale literature. The featured short story is titled “The Hare and the Hedgehog” by the Brothers Grimm. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story, which has an estimated Lexile measure of 1000-1100, are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Discern the target audience of the narrative
Apply knowledge of alliteration, assonance, sibilance, simile, and dramatic irony to the text
Discern the meaning of complex phrases in context
Discern the tone of a particular excerpt
Discern the most accurate characterization of the hedgehog
Articulate the consequence of the hare’s stubbornness
Compare and contrast the hare and the hedgehog
Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas
Write with clarity and precision
Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Sea Hare” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about characters who defy expectations in order to achieve personal goals. With this set of high-order questions, teachers will be able to extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills. While the close reading activity upholds academic rigor, the brevity of the narrative helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this activity, students will perform the following tasks:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Evaluate whether the relationship between the princess and the young suitor is healthy or unhealthy
Explore aspects of the princess’ characterization that make her sympathetic to the audience
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Compare and contrast characters (the young suitor and the previous 99)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, symbolism, foreshadowing, and dramatic irony
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “The Stolen Farthings” by the Brothers Grimm. The variety of question types will also help prepare students for standardized testing scenarios; emphasis is placed on character motivations and modes of thinking. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story (estimated Lexile measure of 1000-1100) are provided. This resource is most suitable for a short story or Halloween-themed unit at the middle school and early high school levels. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Identify context clues that indicate a character is having a paranormal experience
Analyze the psychological state of the family, providing a rational explanation for why the family does not see the ghost
Define complex words in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text (epiphany)
Explain the ghost’s unfinished business
Infer the parents’ shared motivation to donate two farthings to a poor person
Articulate a relevant theme
Discern the best description of the story’s tone
Write with clarity and precision
Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use fairy tales as tools for extending beyond reading comprehension and practicing close reading analysis skills. “The Girl Without Hands” by the Brothers Grimm, also known as “The Maiden Without Hands” and “The Armless Maiden,” is a short story about the plight of a maiden whose poor father makes a bargain that results in her disfigurement and confinement. English Language Arts teachers may assign this set of rigorous questions to complement the story and evaluate students’ high-order skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others
Isolate a factual statement from falsehoods in the context of the miller’s characterization
Explain how situational irony and dramatic irony are applied
Discern the significance of the maiden’s decision to draw a circle around her
Explore cause-and-effect relationships (how losing her hands affects the maiden physically, psychologically, and interpersonally)
Analyze the silver hands for symbolic value
Define complex words in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration and foreshadowing
Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas
Write with clarity and precision
Support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions to complement “The Other Gods” by H.P. Lovecraft. With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1200-1300, this text and its corresponding active reading exercise are appropriate additions to a mythology- or fantasy-themed high school short story unit, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. A detailed answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing this exercise, high school students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Articulate character motivations
Articulate the means by which characters travel
Articulate how characters have undergone change
Clarify relationships between characters
Articulate how characters achieve objectives
Analyze how a character demonstrates hubris and the factors that contribute to the manifestation of hubris
Articulate the purpose of a given paragraph
Analyze how conflicting allegiances contribute to the development of internal conflict
Identify and explain multiple examples of situational irony in the text
Articulate how a character survives, connecting this explanation to a relevant theme
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help students analyze a brief, yet complex short story: “Memory” by H.P. Lovecraft. This narrative has an estimated Lexile Measure of 1200-1300, making it an appropriate addition to a high school short story or fantasy unit, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will demonstrate an ability to do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the most accurate description of setting
Analyze the author’s craft with emphasis on how adjectives enhance the story
Define complex words in context
Analyze given excerpts to discern which literary devices are applied
Justify claims using reasoned thinking
Articulate the purpose of architectural remnants in the context of the story’s setting
Demonstrate knowledge of simile and explain its intended effect in context
Analyze the plot to infer the author’s perspectives on human existence
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for practicing close reading analysis skills. This worksheet composed of rigorous questions covers “The Fox and the Horse” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1100-1200, the short story is especially suitable for middle and high school students. The briefness of the narrative also makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Isolate a factual statement from falsehoods in the context of the plot
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including anthropomorphism, hyperbole, situational irony, dramatic irony, and sibilance
Make logical inferences about character motivations
Analyze a character’s actions and statements to discern what they reveal about their morality
Make a reasonable argument about whether the horse could have benefited from giving greater consideration to the fox’s personal motivations
Cite textual evidence in support of original claims
Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “The Sparrow and His Four Children” by the Brothers Grimm. The narrative has an estimated Lexile measure of 1200-1300, making it an appropriate addition to a fairy tale or fantasy fiction unit at the high school level, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Articulate the means by which the four children are saved
Articulate the father sparrow’s primary internal conflict
Conduct brief research to address a question that pertains to the plot
Define complex words in context
Make logical inferences from the perspective of the father sparrow
Demonstrate comprehension of figurative language
Analyze the authors’ craft to discern and explain how double-denotation influences meaning
Analyze the authors’ craft to discern how assonance is employed
Analyze the narrative’s biblical allusion and paraphrase how it applies to the story
Explain the situational irony of the youngest bird’s remarks late in the story
Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas
Write with clarity and precision
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 4 through 6 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, high school English teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony
Define complex words and phrases in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Analyze the author’s craft
Articulate what diction reveals about the narrator’s psychological state
Make logical inferences about how the narrator perceives himself as he works toward generating life
Analyze the contradictory nature of Victor Frankenstein
Isolate a falsehood from accurate statements about plot
Infer the cause of Victor’s disturbing dream
Draw parallels between Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner and Shelley’s Frankenstein
Explore Henry’s compassion and selflessness
Explore the interactions of complex characters
Discern the function of a given paragraph
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 1 through 3 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, and personification
Articulate the author’s intended effect of figurative language
Discern the primary function of chapters one through three
Examine relationships between complex characters
Articulate Victor Frankenstein’s epiphany in a given passage
Analyze the importance of Victor’s epiphany
Articulate cause-and-effect relationships
Make logical inferences about character modes of thinking
Analyze how a given paragraph contributes to character development
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on introductory letters 1 through 4 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Articulate Walton’s professional objective(s)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, assonance, situational irony, and hyperbole
Discern the function of a given excerpt
Articulate cause-and-effect relationships
Infer with which statement Walton is most likely to agree
Define complex words and phrases in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Analyze how the author’s craft contributes to the development of mood
Discern subtle and more obvious distinctions among adjectives
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 5, scene 1, this resource saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing academic rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity and precision
Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, situational irony, and caesura
Articulate character motivations
Discern the best description of Roderigo’s characterization
Analyze and articulate how the setting contributes to a sense of uncertainty
Articulate how dialogue contributes to the development of suspense
Analyze character interactions
Define complex words or phrases in context
Verify interpretations using reference materials including a dictionary or thesaurus
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 7 through 9 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, high school English teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony
Define complex words and phrases in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Analyze figurative language to articulate its effect
Isolate an accurate statement about plot among a set of falsehoods
Explain the significance of a locket
Articulate how Victor contributes to a grave injustice
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Compare and contrast complex characters
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 10 through 12 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, high school English teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and allusion
Isolate an accurate statement about plot among a set of falsehoods
Explain the significance of the pool of water
Discern the function of a given paragraph
Analyze how Victor becomes a dynamic character in the context of a given chapter
Analyze the author’s craft
Articulate how chapter 10 is different from chapter 11
Explore “the barbarity of man”
Explore how the creature demonstrates childlike naivety
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 13 through 15 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, high school English teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including antithesis, allusion, and irony
Isolate a factual statement about plot from falsehoods
Articulate how the creature acquires an education
Articulate how a person’s value is determined by society, according to the creature’s teachings
Define complex words in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Discern the effect that learning has on the creature’s psychological state
Discern what the treatment of Safie’s father reveals about about the class system
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Articulate the influence of Paradise Lost on the creature
Compare and contrast the creature to the biblical character of Adam
Explain the greater significance of a given excerpt
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 22 through 24 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, high school English teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, metaphor, situational irony, and symbolism
Articulate Victor’s internal conflict in a given excerpt
Define complex words in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Discern the tone of Elizabeth’s letter to Victor
Isolate a false statement about plot among a set of true statements
Analyze the treatment of Elizabeth and other female characters in the novel
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Articulate the significance of Victor’s condition at the end of the novel
Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 19 through 21 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, high school English teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, metaphor, and aposiopesis
Define complex words and phrases in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Analyze the author’s craft to discern how Shelley aligns Victor’s experiences with his creature’s
Evaluate Victor’s psychological state
Make logical predictions in context
Compare Victor to Justine
Analyze the effect of Victor’s dialogue in context
Analyze how complex characters interact
Explore the topic of systemic inequity
Support the development of high school close reading skills and analysis of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with this comprehensive bundle of worksheets. To accommodate classroom and distance learning settings, each resource is delivered as Word Documents and PDFs. A variety of high-order question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, applying knowledge of literary devices, making logical inferences, articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision, and supporting claims with relevant textual evidence. Answer keys and a copy of the public domain text are provided.
By completing these exercises, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Explore character motivations
Articulate Walton’s professional objective(s)
Apply knowledge of literary devices
Articulate cause-and-effect relationships
Infer with which statement Walton is most likely to agree
Define complex words and phrases in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Analyze how the author’s craft contributes to the development of mood
Discern subtle and more obvious distinctions among adjectives
Discern the primary function of chapters one through three
Articulate Victor Frankenstein’s epiphany in a given passage
Analyze the importance of Victor’s epiphany
Make logical inferences about character modes of thinking
Articulate what diction reveals about the narrator’s psychological state
Make logical inferences about how the narrator perceives himself as he works toward generating life
Analyze the contradictory nature of Victor Frankenstein
Infer the cause of Victor’s disturbing dream
Draw parallels between Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner and Shelley’s Frankenstein
Explore Henry’s compassion and selflessness
Analyze figurative language to articulate its effect
Explain the significance of a locket
Articulate how Victor contributes to a grave injustice
Compare and contrast complex characters
Explain the significance of the pool of water
Analyze how Victor becomes a dynamic character in the context of a given chapter
Articulate how chapter 10 is different from chapter 11
Explore “the barbarity of man”
Explore how the creature demonstrates childlike naivety
Articulate how the creature acquires an education
Articulate how a person’s value is determined by society, according to the creature’s teachings
Discern the effect that learning has on the creature’s psychological state
Discern what the treatment of Safie’s father reveals about about the class system
Articulate the influence of Paradise Lost on the creature
Compare and contrast the creature to the biblical character of Adam
Articulate the effect of animal imagery
Explain the function of a given scene
Discern a logical inference about the author’s personal philosophy based on the text
Explain how the creature appeals to Victor’s intellect and emotions
Articulate Victor’s internal conflict
Explain the function of Henry’s character in chapter 18
Analyze the author’s craft to discern how Shelley aligns Victor’s experiences with his creature’s
Evaluate Victor’s psychological state
Make logical predictions in context
Compare Victor to Justine
Analyze the effect of Victor’s dialogue in context
Analyze how complex characters interact
Explore the topic of systemic inequity
Articulate Victor’s internal conflict in a given excerpt
Discern the tone of Elizabeth’s letter to Victor
Analyze the treatment of Elizabeth and other female characters in the novel
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Articulate the significance of Victor’s condition at the end of the novel
