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.
Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the satirical science fiction short story titled “Lose Now, Pay Later” by Carol Farley. A short answer option is also included, as are answer keys. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
The narrator’s assessment of her brother
The name of a deliciously sweet treat
The protagonist’s initial reaction to the discovery of a new mall business
The message conveyed on the store’s largest sign
The mall directors’ feelings toward the new establishment
The name of a new feature in the mall parking lot
The function of a new feature in the mall parking lot
How the power of the new feature is regulated
The protagonist’s emotional reaction prior to using the new feature
Trinja’s immediate reaction to witnessing the new feature in action
The physical effects of the new feature
The general characterization of the woman who operates the new feature
The brother’s theory about the machines
For many high school readers, fairy tales and fantasy fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Buckwheat” by Hans Christian Andersen is a cautionary tale about a young buckwheat whose pride becomes his tragic downfall. With this editable quiz on “The Buckwheat,” English teachers will promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. 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 assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The narrator’s stated purpose for the narrative
The description of a willow tree
The personality trait associated with the buckwheat
The buckwheat’s treatment of the willow tree
How the buckwheat exhibits defiance
The antagonist of the narrative
The willow tree’s reaction to the buckwheat’s fate
The sparrow’s compassionate nature
For many high school readers, age-appropriate fantasy and fairy tale fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. With this multiple choice, plot-based assessment on “Hansel and Gretel” by the Brothers Grimm, English teachers will promote homework accountability, measure general reading comprehension, and save valuable time without sacrificing quality 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. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements:
The problem facing Hansel and Gretel’s family
The stepmother’s solution to the family’s problem
Hansel’s strategic thinking and resourcefulness
A key instance of dramatic irony
Hansel and Gretel’s encounter with the white bird
The discovery of an old witch’s house
A supernatural quality associated with witches
Gretel’s duty according to the old witch
Gretel’s strategic thinking
The resolution
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for measuring general reading comprehension. This multiple choice quiz covers “Rapunzel” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1010-1200, 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. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Why the setting is dangerous
The wife’s desires in the exposition
The characterization of the husband
The bargain between the husband and the antagonist
Life events involving Rapunzel
Rapunzel’s talents
The means by which a prince visits Rapunzel
Rapunzel’s request of the prince
The antagonist’s punishment of Rapunzel
The prince’s physical condition following an encounter with the enchantress
How Rapunzel cures the prince
Promote active engagement with ironic fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the short story “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry. 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:
Point of view
The location where a promise was made twenty years previously
How the location has changed in the present day
The ambiguity surrounding Bob’s wealth
How Bob views his relationship with Jimmy
Aspects of Bob’s physical appearance
Aspects of Jimmy’s physical appearance
The actions of the Chicago police department
Details pertaining to the arrest of Bob
The content of Jimmy’s letter
Gothic fantasy and horror are genres that maximize many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Cats of Ulthar” by H.P. Lovecraft is a macabre short story featuring savage neighbors, an avenging curse, and flesh-eating felines—making it an especially chilling choice for the Halloween season. This multiple choice quiz on “The Cats of Ulthar” 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:
The narrator’s perception of cats
The longtime existence of cats
The old couple’s terrible reputation
The community’s general disposition toward the couple
The paintings on the travelers’ caravan
The characterization of Menes
The sudden disappearance of the cats
A change in the cats’ physical appearance upon their return
The fate of the old couple
Peculiar discoveries inside the old couple’s house
A change in the law
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “A Mild Attack of Locusts,” a short story by Doris Lessing. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Richard’s relation to Margaret
Stephen’s relation to Margaret
Margaret’s personal background
Socioeconomics
The frequency with which locusts appear
Methods used to combat the locusts
The threat posed by female locusts
Margaret’s concern for Stephen
An act of Stephen’s that temporarily lifts Margaret’s spirits
Margaret’s imagination
Topics of discussion between Richard and Stephen
Stephen’s past experiences with locust swarms
Margaret’s self-perception
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “The Bremen Town Musicians,” a short story by the Brothers Grimm. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain fairy tale are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The reason the donkey leaves the mill
The reason a master wants to kill a hound
The means by which a mistress wants to kill her cat
The donkey and rooster’s roles in their band
The rooster’s observations
The occupants of a house
The methods by which the animals drive away the robbers
The reason the cat scratches at a human’s face
The assailed human’s irrational thinking
The length of time the animals live in the house
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage,” a short story by the Brothers Grimm. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain fairy tale are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The nature of the characters’ living arrangements
The main responsibilities of the mouse, the bird, and the sausage, respectively
The narrative’s inciting incident
The bird’s changing self-image
The general reaction to the bird’s suggestion of new living arrangements
The process by which major decisions are made
The cause of death for the mouse, the bird, and the sausage, respectively
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” a short story by the Brothers Grimm. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain fairy tale are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The clue indicating the princesses leave home every night
The length of time a man has to satisfy the king’s request
A reward for success
A consequence for failure
The method by which the princesses set men up for failure
How an old soldier learns the secret of the princesses
An item that helps the old soldier follow the princesses
The mentality of the youngest princess
Signs that alert the youngest princess that she is being followed
The festive parties attended by the princesses
An item that helps the old soldier prove his success
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Barbie-Q,” a short story by Sandra Cisneros. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Point of view
The nature of the interactions between the narrator and her friend
The general characterization of the narrator
The reason for the dolls’ flaws
How the girls unexpectedly came into possession of extra toys
The means by which the girls typically acquired clothes for their dolls
The socioeconomic status of the girls’ families
The girls’ feelings toward the flawed toys
The narrator’s implications to conclude the narrative
For many high school readers, realistic, historical, and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a Black family whose ways of life are being infringed upon by opportunistic, politically motivated filmmakers. English Language Arts teachers may administer this editable assessment to promote homework accountability and evaluate students’ reading comprehension. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Point of view
Setting
Characterization in the exposition
Cathy’s relation to the narrator
The upcoming holiday
The content of two filmmakers’ work
Granny’s perception of her husband
Granddaddy’s manner of approaching the filmmakers
The outcome of Granddaddy’s interaction with the filmmakers
Eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities, evaluate general reading comprehension, and promote homework accountability with this multiple choice quiz covering “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are 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:
The subject of a portrait
The personal histories of the doctor’s guests
The reason for the acquaintances’ visit
Dr. Heidegger’s claims and his guests’ immediate reactions
The object the doctor uses to prove a point
The doctor’s general characterization
The effects of the doctor’s experiment
The resolution
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 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 quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Harrison’s physical characteristics
Setting
The reason for Harrison’s arrest
The purpose of the law regarding mandated handicaps
Hazel’s general characterization
George’s specific handicap
Breaking news
Harrison’s defiant behavior
Hazel’s reaction to her son’s death
Promote active engagement with humorous fiction, reinforce understanding of situational irony, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the short story “The Cop and the Anthem” by O. Henry. 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:
Setting
The protagonist’s living circumstances
The onset of a particular season
The function of newspapers in the context of the protagonist’s life
The protagonist’s motivations
The protagonist’s attempts to achieve his goals
The prevalence of situational irony
Factors contributing to dynamic character
The fate of the protagonist as the story resolves
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 humorous short story “The Cop and the Anthem” by O. Henry. 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 both explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, juxtaposition, and situational irony
Isolate a phrase that features an example of figurative language
Analyze character actions to make logical inferences
Determine the function of a particular passage
Make an inference about the author’s point of view
Articulate the significance of a given detail
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 12 through 17, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore character motivations
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Discern the function of a particular character in context
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as pun and metaphor
Explore the author’s intent
Analyze a shift in narrative technique in chapter 16
Articulate the intended effect of a figurative expression
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 18 through 23, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore the author’s use of figurative language
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Articulate the irony associated with the relationship between Offred and her mother
Explore character motivations
Discern the function of a particular detail in context
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Analyze how theme is developed and reinforced
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Make a defend a claim about whether Offred is a reliable narrator
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 24 through 27, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explain the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in context
Isolate a false statement about plot among a set of true statements
Articulate the flaw in a character’s logic
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore character motivations
Discern the function of a given chapter
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, pun, and dramatic irony
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 35 through 39, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Isolate a false statement about plot among a set of true statements
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore character motivations
Explore the psychological state of a given character
Articulate how several situations are ironic
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, situational irony, allusion, and euphemism
Infer why Offred chose not to “reconstruct” her memory of her final encounter with Moira
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims