Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 7, 8, and 9 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Narration of a used car salesman Taking advantage of departing families Uncle Tom’s guilt Ma and Pa Joad’s reaction to Tom’s return Granma’s request at breakfast Tom’s youngest brother, Al Narration of tenant farmers Talk of material possessions and memories of home Pawning belongings

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast Caesar and Calpurnia Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, symbolism, and dramatic irony 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 Shakespearean drama

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the primary function of the scene Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on foreshadowing 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

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Describe tone in context Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given excerpt Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including metaphor, simile, hubris, alliteration, personification, and irony Come to class better prepared to discuss Shakespearean drama

“Spunk” by Zora Neale Hurston is a short story marked by the hubris of a self-assured man who has an affair with a meeker man’s wife—a decision that leads to his demise. This plot-based quiz covering the short story helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Spunk Banks’ characterization in the exposition The gathering place for the community’s men Lena Kanty’s characterization in the exposition Elijah’s treatment of Joe Joe’s weapon The men’s opinion of Joe’s plan to confront Spunk The outcome of Joe’s plan Spunk’s assessment of Joe following his death Speculation concerning the relationship between Spunk and Lena An animal sighting and its significance to Spunk Spunk’s manner of death The resolution

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 11 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on callback and situational irony Analyze the symbolism of an object Read closely to isolate logical inferences from less compelling or illogical inferences Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 10 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in this exercise, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Draw reasoned inferences about characterization Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile and alliteration Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 12 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s word choices, including figurative language, on the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel Read closely to isolate logical inferences from less compelling or illogical inferences Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter eight of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Draw reasoned inferences about characterization Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on symbolism Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter five of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in this exercise, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Draw reasoned inferences about characterization Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel with emphasis on dramatic irony and onomatopoeia Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter six of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Explore how complex characters think, behave, and develop Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Draw reasoned inferences about characterization Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on imagery Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements Explore the motif of heroism Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter four of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Draw reasoned inferences about characterization Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements Write about literature such that the reader will follow the student’s reasoning Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 13 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony, imagery, and symbolism Read closely to isolate logical inferences from less compelling or illogical inferences Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 16 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on situational irony Read closely to determine logical inferences Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 15 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel Read closely to determine logical inferences Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 14 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel Read closely to determine logical inferences Explore theme Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a classic Grimm’s fairy tale titled “Little Red Riding Hood” (also called “Little Red Cap”). An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, assonance, sibilance, dramatic irony, and situational irony Determine the primary function of the epilogue Examine 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the satirical short story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen. Alternatively, the assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How the protagonist demonstrates his obsession with clothes The motivations of the visitors The visitors’ outlandish claims The protagonist’s motivations The protagonist’s internal conflict Means by which the visitors deceive the community The emperor’s participation in the procession The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin.” Alternatively, the assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The miller’s feelings toward his daughter The miller’s feelings toward the king The king’s greed A task the maiden is assigned An offer the king makes the maiden Offerings made to the hobgoblin A new task for the maiden The length of time the maiden has to complete her new task A messenger’s observations The hobgoblin’s response to failure The court’s reaction to the hobgoblin

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Character motivations General description of Obi’s colleagues Nancy’s emotional and psychological states The length of time Obi has been married The nature of the conversation Obi has with a priest The meaning behind a proverb The cultural significance of the path The reason Obi wants to close the path A tragic situation Retribution The resolution