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 Act 2, scene 6, 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 Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and imagery Choose an applicable theme in the context of the scene Support claims or 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 literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 5, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and emphasizing Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy. 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 both explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effect of Shakespeare’s figurative language Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text Discern tone in context Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and foreshadowing Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The opening scene Characterization of Norway’s king The fate of the Thane of Cawdor Macbeth’s new title The witches’ prophecy Banquo’s presence The news Malcolm shares with his father King Duncan’s declared successor Lady Macbeth’s concerns about her husband Lady Macbeth’s ambition Lady Macbeth’s influence on her husband Details concerning the plot to kill King Duncan

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “The Owl” by the Brothers Grimm, a cautionary tale about how fear affects human behavior. The brevity of the narrative and the nature of the learning targets help teachers fill awkward gaps in schedules without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key and copy of the fairy tale are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare the actions of the owl with those of the humans Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, situational irony, symbolism, and more 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A short answer alternative is also provided for re-assessment purposes. Alternatively, these resources may serve as guided reading handouts to foster active reading habits. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The found man’s impressive physical attributes The immediate awareness of the man’s status as ‘stranger’ The village’s attributes The women’s discoveries as they clean the found man The women’s acts of reverence toward the found man The men’s perception of the found man The village’s realization that their community is one of desolation The narrative’s point of view and its significance The narrative’s use of hyperbole and its overall effect

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 1, scene 2, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. 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, questions pertain to the following: Analyzing the phrase “He comes to bad intent” for meaning. Analyzing the phrase “Come, sir, I am for you” for meaning and synthesizing it with knowledge of Iago’s characterization. Analyzing text for meaning: why Othello claims that Brabantio is worthy of respect. Analyzing text to determine character motivations (why Brabantio thinks Othello is a thief). Analyzing text to isolate true statements from unfounded statements. Locating textual evidence and annotating text to make comprehension visible: identifying all references to supernatural forces and all indications of Brabantio’s prejudiced mentality. Paraphrasing dialogue.

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 3, scene 4, 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Explore character motivations Discern the tone of a given excerpt Make logical inferences in context Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Paraphrase Shakespearean language Isolate a falsehood from factual statements about plot Articulate the significance of a given detail Write with clarity and precision

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 Iago’s skillful manipulation of Roderigo in Act 4, scene 2, 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. By completing this exercise, students will: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Demonstrate knowledge of literary devices Make logical inferences in context Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters interact Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision

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

“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin is an example of historical fiction that, when integrated into the English Language Arts classroom, complements American History curricula, as the plot precedes the Civil War and addresses the issue of how race and ethnicity affect one’s life experiences in the South. With this worksheet composed of challenging, text-dependent questions, teachers will help students extend beyond general reading comprehension, exercise close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. 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 close reading activity, students will do the following: Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave Explore character motivations and intentions Apply knowledge of literary devices including irony and foreshadowing Analyze the author’s craft, determining how figurative language contributes to storytelling and character development Articulate point of view Make logical inferences about the psychological states of characters Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school students, the horror genre promotes more active engagement with literature. “The Terrible Old Man” by H.P. Lovecraft is a concise horror story featuring plot elements such as robbery, a character who dabbles in the occult, and mutilated corpses—making the narrative a particularly compelling read during the Halloween season. This multiple choice quiz on “The Terrible Old Man” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. 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 assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting Rumors circulating about the Terrible Old Man Details that suggest something sinister about the Terrible Old Man What curious people see when they look into the Terrible Old Man’s window A peculiar habit of the Terrible Old Man The means by which three men in the story make their living An alarming physical characteristic of the Terrible Old Man A disturbing discovery An implied hobby of the Terrible Old Man The background of the Terrible Old Man

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking—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 the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Explore cause-and-effect relationships Define complex words as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, pun, and personification Analyze sentence structures with emphasis on the use of an appositive phrase Analyze the author’s stylistic choice to capitalize common noun phrases Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is a satirical, cautionary short story about governmental efforts to enforce equality on all citizens. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking—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 the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the narrative’s point of view Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Define complex words as they are used in the text Use context clues to infer the author’s intent Explore cause-and-effect relationships Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, paradox, oxymoron, simile, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and dramatic irony Explore theme Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

With this plot-based quiz covering the last part of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. In addition to the answer key, a copy of the last part of Mrs. Dalloway is provided. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing Word Document and PDF versions. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The role of Mrs. Walker Clarissa’s feelings about her own party The reason Clarissa throws parties The identity of Lady Rosseter Ellie Henderson’s relation to Clarissa Sally’s past interaction with Hugh Whitbread Sally and Clarissa’s more recent personal history Peter’s feelings about attending the party Noteworthy guests Jim Hutton’s general characterization Lady Bruton’s evaluation of Richard’s marriage and its effect on Richard The reason Clarissa gets upset at the Bradshaws Clarissa’s feelings toward Septimus Sally’s analysis of Clarissa’s feelings for Peter Peter’s beliefs

With this plot-based quiz covering the ninth part of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. In addition to the answer key, a copy of the ninth part of Mrs. Dalloway is provided. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing Word Document and PDF versions. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Lucrezia and Septimus’ personal history How Septimus helps his wife Septimus’ “visitor” Why Lucrezia is happy How Dr. Holmes is greeted by Lucrezia The doctors’ advice for Septimus The manner of Septimus’ death Peter’s letter Peter’s vision of his future Peter’s dinner A story in the newspaper Peter’s feelings about Clarissa’s party

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 “Rapunzel” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1010-1200, the short story is suitable for both 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: Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Examine tone Analyze the authors’ craft, paying special attention to diction in order to make logical inferences Apply knowledge of various literary devices including simile, situational irony, and dramatic irony Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Choose the most synonymous word to replace a word used in the text Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat." With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1100, the narrative and its corresponding close reading exercise are appropriate additions to a horror- or Halloween-themed short story unit. A copy of “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe is provided, as is a detailed answer key. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, secondary students will demonstrate an ability to do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Articulate the narrator’s intent in a given excerpt Isolate a false statement from factual details associated with a given excerpt Examine the narrator’s modes of thinking to discern and articulate what he identifies as the cause(s) of his current circumstances Analyze a given excerpt to discern its primary function Apply knowledge of the anaphora to an excerpt Apply knowledge of simile to an excerpt Apply knowledge of hyperbaton to an excerpt Apply knowledge of paradox to an excerpt Apply knowledge of alliteration to an excerpt Examine cause and effect relationships Conduct brief research on Roman mythology to discern and articulate why the name Pluto carries symbolic value Analyze the narrator’s past behaviors and statements to make logical inferences about the cause of a destructive fire Identify textual details to support the claim that the second cat never existed Use logic and textual evidence to support the claim that the narrator feels subconscious guilt over the murder of Pluto Articulate why the narrator may be resentful of his wife Articulate how the narrator exhibits hubris and how hubris contributes to plot development Write with clarity, logic, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 1 through 3 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: Point of view Setting Jem’s injury The kids’ mother and father Calpurnia’s job Dill Boo Radley’s background The dare Walter Cunningham’s philosophy The effects of the Great Depression on Maycomb’s citizens Scout’s fight The teacher’s reaction to an alarming situation Perception of the Ewells

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 2, of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing 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. By engaging with this resource, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Examine Shakespeare’s narrative techniques with emphasis on the incorporation of figurative language Determine the tone of the scene Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The plot-based assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Additionally, a short answer worksheet is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Roderigo’s affections for Desdemona Iago’s fury toward Othello Brabantio The Turks’ plan to attack Cyprus Othello and Desdemona’s relationship Desdemona’s internal conflict Othello’s departure Brabantio’s warning to Othello Iago’s manipulation of Roderigo