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.
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering chapters twelve and thirteen (“Cattle of the Sun” and “Calypso”). An answer key is provided, as is a bonus short answer assessment. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A warning not to harm the golden cattle
30 days and nights of wind
Efforts to scrounge for food
Eurylochus and his lie to Ulysses
Ulysses means of survival
Calypso’s magic
Calypso’s comments about Penelope
Penelope’s weaving and her attempts to delay a major decision
Hermes’ arrival and its foreshadowing
Calypso’s sadness
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with these plot-based quizzes covering chapter seven, “Circe.” A multiple choice version is provided, as well as a short answer alternative. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A surprising discovery on the island
Circe’s background
Circe’s powers
Ulysses’ unexpected help from a Greek god
Ulysses and Circe’s arrangement
The men’s general feelings toward remaining on the island
Circe’s offer to Ulysses, which is refused
A revelation concerning the Land of the Dead
Ulysses’ decision to leave the island
Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and develop close reading analysis skills while they engage with The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin. Highlighting a significant passage from chapter seven (“Circe”), this resource features a line of rigorous questioning to promote active engagement with the text. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Discern the reason for Ulysses’ reluctance in terms of advancing toward the castle
Apply knowledge of literary concepts including internal conflict and personification
Discern the significance of the white deer’s appearance
Define complex words and phrases in the context of a passage
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Determine which given adjective is most suitable to Ulysses in context
Explore the setting’s influence on Ulysses’ psychological state
Discern a logical inference in context
Isolate a false statement about plot from correct statements
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources covering chapter seven of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Circe”). Included are the following: a plot-based, multiple choice quiz; an alternate short answer quiz option; a set of close reading analysis questions pertaining to a significant passage; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By engaging with this resource, students will:
Discern the reason for Ulysses’ reluctance in terms of advancing toward the castle
Apply knowledge of literary concepts including internal conflict and personification
Discern the significance of the white deer’s appearance
Define complex words and phrases in the context of a passage
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Determine which given adjective is most suitable to Ulysses in context
Explore the setting’s influence on Ulysses’ psychological state
Discern a logical inference in context
Isolate a false statement about plot from correct statements
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on Life As We Knew It, a dystopian young adult novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer, with emphasis on chapters eleven through fourteen. A multiple choice assessment is provided, as well as a subjective version. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
Miranda’s retrieval of books, notebooks, and pens
Miranda’s behavior that infuriates Mom
Dad’s letters highlighting life outside Howell, PA
Miranda biking to the hospital
Mrs. Nesbitt’s backstory
Miranda and Matt’s visit to the library
The family’s decision to burn something in the woodfire
Matt bringing sad news from the post office
The hypocrisy of Reverend Marshall
Miranda’s belief that she only has one gift to give her mother
Ice skating at the pond
Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter nine journal entry dated August 15, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters develop and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, anaphora, alliteration, and allusion
Analyze an expressions to articulate its deeper meaning
Articulate Megan’s internal conflict
Identify and explain an example of situational irony in the passage
Explore the greater effect of Miranda’s conversation with Megan
Identify the most relevant textual evidence in support of a claim
Write ideas with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter ten journal entry dated August 29, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters develop and interact
Discern the greater significance of a given detail
Explain an example of situational irony in the passage
Identify several narrative techniques that contribute to the development of suspense
Determine the function of the journal entry
Identify the most relevant textual evidence in support of a claim
Write ideas with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter eleven journal entry dated August 31, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as metaphor
Determine the most applicable theme to the passage
Make logical inferences in the context of the passage
Analyze differences between and nuances of a set of adjectives
Defend a claim with sound reasoning and textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter eight journal entry dated July 17, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including verbal irony
Explore nuances in word meanings
Articulate what Miranda means by “Everything is worse on Sundays”
Identify the most relevant textual evidence in support of a claim
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter twelve journal entry dated September 6, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters develop and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as hyperbole, simile, personification, and more
Explain the intended meaning of a figurative expression
Explain the irony associated with a character’s behavior
Write ideas with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter thirteen journal entry dated September 29, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore the significance of a given detail
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Explore character motivations
Determine the tone of a given quote
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as symbolism
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter fourteen journal entry dated October 15, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Consider relevant themes in the context of the diary entry
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as simile, metaphor, and foreshadowing
Articulate the intended effect of a figurative expression
Write about literature with clarity and precision
This resource measures reading comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of “Split Cherry Tree” by Jesse Stuart. A short answer assessment, this quiz features 9 questions and includes an answer key. Questions pertain to the following key details:
♦ The cause of the split cherry tree
♦ Dave’s means of repayment
♦ Dave’s insistence that he not stay after school and why
♦ Dave’s father’s behavior
♦ Professor Herbert’s lesson involving bacteria
♦ Dave’s father’s philosophy on killing
♦ Professor Herbert’s thoughtful offer
♦ A surprising admission regarding how education has changed and how it has passed Dave’s father by
Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the science fiction short story “Backward Step” by Paul Jennings. 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:
The television program John watches
What John’s mom does that makes her feel very guilty
A teenage boy’s desperate plea for John’s mom to read a book
John’s status as a famous child
John’s sudden appearance in a classroom
John’s family background
An attempt to help John find his home
A visit to the police station
John’s grandmother, who agrees to take John in
John’s unique capabilities (time travel)
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Middle Woman,” a short story by Orson Scott Card. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this assessment makes it easier to quickly gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided. Due to copyright restrictions, a copy of the short story is not included.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Middle Woman’s annual journey to visit her sisters
The malevolent reason the dragon offers humans three wishes
Middle Woman’s reasonable first wish
The dragon’s evil actions
Situational irony
Middle Woman’s intelligent second wish
Her husband’s criticism of her, berating her as a changeable woman
Middle Woman’s cheerfulness despite criticism
Ensuing years in which Middle Woman uses her intellect rather than her remaining wish
The dragon’s return many years later
An offer of immortality
Middle Woman’s kind final wish.
Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on verb tenses, which emphasizes irregular verbs. Two versions of this activity are provided, including a multiple choice option to expedite the grading process. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs.
Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of horror and supernatural fiction, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs, and use this set of rigorous questions to promote close reading analysis skills. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. 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
Analyze the author’s word choices to gain deeper insight into setting and characterization
Explore the role of setting in terms of developing characterization
Make logical inferences about characters based on their actions
Find deeper meaning in a given allusion
Discern the tone of a character’s dialogue
Explore how complex characters think and interact
Determine the function of a given detail
Examine details that represent a shift in tone
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and euphemism
Analyze how Mr. and Mrs. White’s marriage is affected by grief
Identify specific details that contribute to the vampiric characterization of Mrs. White
Defend claims and support ideas with relevant textual details
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the Gothic short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze the nature of character relationships and interactions
Examine grammatically correct structure
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Identify the best evidence of foreshadowing in a given passage
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including verbal irony
Make logical inferences about the protagonist’s mindset and motivations
Identify relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea
This bundle of editable assessments check for general comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Questions pertain to the following important details:
Character description of a typical Baggins
Gandalf’s surprise appearance
Bilbo and Gandalf’s awkward conversation
The first dwarf to arrive unexpectedly
Awakening “something Tookish” within Bilbo
The dwarves’ skepticism toward Bilbo’s participation
Bilbo’s designated role
Description of the town of Dale
What Thorin receives from Gandalf during the party
The lost wealth of Thorin’s family
The morning after the unexpected party
The letter
Disappearance of a major character
A discovery that leads the adventurers into trouble
Bert, Tom, and William
Bilbo’s weak bargaining attempts
Capturing the dwarves
Rescuing the dwarves
Discoveries made before locating the troll’s cave
Lonely Mountain
Rivendell
Elrond
The peculiar quality of the adventurers’ map
Background on the weapons the adventurers’ retrieved from trolls
Seeking safety inside the cave
The Orcrist
Glamdring the Foe-hammer
Goblins’ fear of something inside the cave
The riddle game
Discovery of the magical ring
Bilbo’s escape from the cave
The dwarves’ complaints
Gandalf’s insistence that the dwarves look for Bilbo
The adventurers’ reaction to Bilbo’s sudden return
Incident involving the Wargs
Wargs and their history with another antagonistic group
Gandalf’s rescue efforts
The Eagles’ arrival
The Eagles’ fear of man
“Skin-changing”
Beorn’s feelings toward animals
The adventurers’ strategy for approaching Beorn
Beorn’s background
Bilbo’s frightening observations at night
Gandalf’s discovery of animal tracks outside the residence
Beorn’s concerns for the adventurers
Details concerning Mirkwood’s black stream
Beorn’s advice
Lighting watch-fires
A deep-sleep state
Hastily using the last of the arrows
Bombur’s dream
Veering off the path in Mirkwood
Bilbo’s transformative experience involving a spider
Bilbo’s sword
Abduction by the wood-elves
The Elvenking’s questioning of Thorin
Thorin’s reluctance to share details
The consequence Thorin faces
A near-confession
Lake-town
Bilbo’s plan to release his friends
The escape plan and its glaring flaw
The bridge guards’ response to Thorin’s presence
The Master of Lake-town’s skepticism
The citizens’ overwhelming response to the adventurers’ presence
Reaching the mountain’s secret door
The foreshadowing appearance of the thrush
Bilbo’s frustration
Unique quality of dragons
Bilbo pilfering treasure
The adventurers’ terrible realization concerning Smaug
The adventurers’ abrupt frustration toward Bilbo
Speaking in riddles
Smaug’s suspicions and plan to attack
The function of the thrush
The Arkenstone
Bilbo’s plans for the Arkenstone
Smaug’s assault
The master bowman
The thrush’s instructions
Why Lake Town’s citizens were furious with their Master
The wood-elves response to the tragedy
Thorin’s request of Roac
Thorin on why the adventurers are not liable for damages
Thorin’s promise to the people of Lake Town
Dain’s plan
Bilbo conspiring with outsiders
Bilbo’s justification for bargaining
Thorin’s response to Bilbo’s justification
Unity among dwarves, elves, and men
The return of the Eagles
Thorin’s realization about what would make for a merrier world
The new King Under the Mountain
Bards gifts to Bilbo
Beorn’s new role
Gandalf’s statement regarding a more peaceful forest
The surprise awaiting Bilbo at home
Bilbo’s changed reputation at home
With this bundle of plot-based, multiple choice quizzes covering The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and eliminate assessment planning. Answer keys are provided, as are short answer options, and all materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following key details:
Nick’s personal background
Nick’s self perception
Nick’s perception of Gatsby
The setting
Nick’s career
The contrast between West Egg and East Egg
Nick’s academic background
A character description of Daisy
A character description of Tom
A character description of Jordan
The green light in the distance
Conditions of daily life in the valley
The enormous advertisement overlooking the valley
A character description of George Wilson
A character description of Myrtle
A trip to the Morningside Heights apartments
Speculation concerning Gatsby’s background
The behavior of the party-goers (and Nick’s reaction to it)
Tom’s gift to Myrtle
Myrtle’s behavior and why it unsettles Tom
How Tom takes his anger out on Myrtle
The flamboyant nature of Gatsby’s parties
The enduring mystery of Gatsby’s background
Sensationalized rumors surrounding Gatsby
Owl Eyes’ surprising realization about Gatsby’s books
Nick and Gatsby’s shared past
Nick’s characterization of Gatsby’s smile
Gatsby’s manner of speaking to others
Gatsby’s general behavior at his own party
Gatsby’s request to see Jordan
The drunken incident involving Owl Eyes
Nick’s characterization of Jordan
The purpose of Nick’s list
The apparent inconsistencies in Gatsby’s autobiography
Gatsby’s proof to assuage Nick’s skepticism
Gatsby’s interaction with a police officer
Meyer Wolfshiem’s questionable background
Nick’s new assumption concerning Gatsby’s wealth
Gatsby’s motive to move into his West Egg mansion
A revelation concerning the green light across the water
A request Gatsby makes of Jordan
Gatsby’s efforts to convince Nick to arrange a reunion
Gatsby’s gratitude to Nick for agreeing
Daisy’s humorous response to Nick’s request that Tom not join
Examples of Gatsby’s self-conscious and nervous behavior
Daisy’s being brought to tears
Gatsby’s long nights outside staring at the green light
Klipspringer
A characterization of Gatsby’s mansion
Gatsby’s biography
Gatsby’s college experience
Gatsby’s job to pay for college
Gatsby meeting Dan Cody
Dan Cody’s influence on Gatsby
Tom’s presence in Gatsby’s house
Tom’s suspicions of Gatsby
Nick’s insight concerning Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship
The death of a dream
Gatsby’s rationale for ceasing the parties
Gatsby’s concerns that information about Daisy will be revealed
A luncheon at Tom and Daisy’s house
A revelation concerning Myrtle
Tom’s confrontation with Gatsby
Gatsby’s assured reaction to Tom’s confrontational behavior
A surprise shift in Daisy’s feelings
The death of Myrtle (what happened, who’s responsible, etc.)
Gatsby’s desire to protect Daisy from Tom
A broken promise
The gardener’s intention and Gatsby’s refusal
Nick’s judgment of Gatsby
Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes and Wilson’s interpretation of them
The death of Myrtle
Wilson’s beliefs concerning Myrtle’s death
A tragic, deadly incident
Underwhelming attendance at Gatsby’s funeral
An unexpected telegram
Henry Gatsby’s discovery of his son’s death
Young Gatsby’s self-improvement plan
A brief conversation with Klipspringer
Nick’s decision to move back to the Midwest
Nick and Jordan’s breakup
An encounter with Tom
Tom’s feelings concerning Gatsby’s death
Nick’s character assessment of Tom and Daisy
Nick’s analysis of people’s dreams