Help high school students extend reading comprehension and analyze plot developments in Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with this bundle of assessments. Answer keys are included. Covering every scene in Act 1, this bundle offers a plot-based quiz and five close reading analysis worksheets designed to facilitate students’ abilities to do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex vocabulary in the context of a passage Examine nuances in words with similar denotations Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast two characters (Orsino and Olivia) Discern the tone of a given excerpt Determine the functions of particular excerpts Explore nuances in words with similar meanings Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and sibilance Conduct brief research on classical mythology — more specifically the tale of Arion and the dolphin — and draw parallels between the mythological figure and Sebastian Consider the text’s allusion to Elysium to infer greater meaning Defend claims with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, five close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore cause-and-effect relationships Discern tone in context Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s choices related to characterization Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast characters in the play Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, metaphor, simile, personification, oxymoron, hyperbole, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more Support claims and inferences with relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot; five close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft and covering each scene respectively; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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 in these exercises, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Consider how a particular excerpt advances the plot Examine the greater significance of a given detail Discern the tone of given excerpts Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine the function of a particular character in the context of a scene Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, oxymoron, hyperbole, anaphora, consonance, callback, oxymoron, hyperbole, and situational irony Express the function of a given excerpt Conduct brief research on the four humours and articulate the findings Analyze research findings to make a logical inference about Petruchio’s mindset Support claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. A plot-based quiz, five close reading worksheets, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and 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 Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and symbolism 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

Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen literary device application skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 1 through 8 of Farley Mowat’s Never Cry Wolf, a scientific memoir exploring the behavior of wolves. Two quizzes, two vocabulary application activities, two crossword puzzles, two word search games, a literary elements worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Apply knowledge of various literary devices including alliteration, allusion, epiphany, euphemism, idiom, invective, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, situational irony, and verbal irony Come to class better prepared to discuss narrative nonfiction

Frontload assigned readings with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the book during unexpected teacher absences. Included are six vocabulary application activities, six crossword puzzles, six word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A total of 79 challenging words are addressed: anguish, apoplectic, apprehension, bleakly, clamber, concede, conspicuous, continual, continuous, crude, curtly, deferential, derisive, earnestly, eccentricity, effect, emaciated, emphatic, exasperated, exultant, feebly, ferocity, flare, furtively, gaudily, genial, haggard, heretical, illicit, implore, importunately, impudent, incessant, indefatigable, indignation, inexorable, infamous, ingratiating, innocuous, irrepressibly, irresolute, keen, languish, melancholy, menial, mirth, morsel, multitudinous, obstinately, pallid, persecution, plaintive, portentously, precipitous, proffer, propagation, propitiatingly, quaint, reminiscence, respectively, reverently, scurry, shrill, shudder, sibilant, solemn, solidarity, solitude, sonorous, stealthy, suffuse, superfluous, tangible, timid, tremulous, undulate, vague, venerable, and weary. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Evaluate comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this bundle of resources covering chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. A plot-based quiz, close reading worksheets, vocabulary activities, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. 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 these materials, students will: Identify what the text says both explicitly and implicitly Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how setting contributes to mood Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Explain how gender norms of 19th Century England are broken Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, verbal irony, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, metaphor, oxymoron, epiphany, and more Read a portion of Emily Gerard’s “Transylvanian Superstitions” to make sense of a character’s actions and thinking Conduct brief research on gypsies to explain why Harker believes they may be helpful to him Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this bundle of resources covering chapters 18, 19, 20, and 21 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. A plot-based quiz, close reading worksheets, vocabulary activities, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. 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 these materials, students will: Identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Determine the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques Describe tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast the attack against Mina with Dracula’s previous attacks Apply knowledge of literary devices including ambiguity, oxymoron, metaphor, simile, personification, and foreshadowing Consider the role sexism plays in terms of plot developments Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this bundle of resources covering chapters 14, 15, 16, and 17 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. A plot-based quiz, close reading worksheets, vocabulary activities, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. 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 these materials, students will: Identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Determine the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Identify which characters are more and less amenable to Van Helsing’s approach to liberating Lucy’s soul, as well as what factors contribute to their amenability or lack thereof Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Othello. A plot-based quiz, four close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, 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 Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, verbal irony, situational irony, and metaphor Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare

This close reading assessment bundle features text-dependent, high-order questions to promote improved reading comprehension and analysis of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. By completing these activities, students will: Discern and articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Isolate a factual statement about the passage from false statements Examine cause-and-effect relationships Analyze Shakespearean language to discern and articulate meanings of words and phrases in context, taking into consideration denotative definitions and connotative associations Analyze Shakespearean language to discern and articulate tone in context Gain deeper insight into character modes of thinking by analyzing dialogue Analyze a portion of text to discern which literary device is applied in context (anaphora and simile) Demonstrate knowledge of Biron’s criticisms of those who are obsessive in their pursuit of knowledge Make reasonable inferences about why the quickness of Moth’s responses frustrates Armado Articulate Armado’s internal conflict in the context of an excerpt Analyze Moth’s dialogue to discern what is implied about women who wear makeup Analyze Moth’s asides to discern and articulate what they reveal about his true feelings Conduct brief research on the topic of Humorism Analyze Costard’s use of malaprops and explain why Shakespeare had him speak in such a manner Interpret figurative language with emphasis on metaphor (“love is a devil”) Make an inference about what Armado finds reassuring about the tale of Samson Apply knowledge of situational irony by explaining what is unexpected about Cupid’s powers Articulate the significance of of Armado’s closing soliloquy Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including alliteration, simile, hyperbole, and stichomythia Articulate the intended effect of hyperbole in the context of the passage Articulate the intended meaning of a given simile Define complex words and phrases in context, taking into consideration denotative meanings and connotative associations Identify the Princess’s motivation for choosing Boyet to be a spokesperson Identify textual evidence that serves to justify Maria’s judgment of Longaville Analyze Rosaline’s dialogue to discern tone in the context of her conversation with Biron Determine and articulate the primary purpose of a passage Explain why Longaville grows impatient with Boyet’s responses Identify the evidence supporting the claim that Ferdinand is lovesick, according to Boyet Articulate the intended meaning of a given metaphor Analyze Armado’s dialogue to discern and articulate what it reveals about his mindset Analyze Moth’s dialogue to discern and articulate his intent Identify the most synonymous word or phrase to replace a given word in the text Analyze Moth’s dialogue to discern tone in context Contrast Costard’s characterization with that of Biron and Armado Apply knowledge of epiphora to the text Analyze Biron as a dynamic character, identifying textual evidence in support of the claim that he is dynamic Analyze Biron’s diaogue to discern and articulate what he believes is Cupid’s motivation for plaguing him with feelings of love Analyze Armado’s letter and articulate the function of an excerpt Analyze Rosaline’s dialogue and actions to argue how she defies standard conventions of femininity and what her motivations are Analyze Shakespeare’s craft to identify which literary devices he employs and what their intended effects are (emphasis is placed on rhyme, innuendo, diacope, metaphor, and irony) Write with clarity, logic, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, five close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the functions of scenes Determine tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick) Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, personification, malapropism, paradox, allusion, metaphor, simile, pun, hyperbole, foreshadowing, innuendo, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more Discern the intended effects of literary devices in context Explore the symbolism of lapwings and haggards in the context of scene one Articulate the greater significance of Benedick’s appearance in the context of scene two Conduct brief research on the four humors of classical Greek medicine to facilitate an evaluation of Benedick’s condition Articulate how Shakespeare established a tense atmosphere in scenes four and five Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of 6 close reading inference worksheets covering The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. The variety of question types may also facilitate preparation for standardized testing scenarios. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Demonstrate knowledge of historical context Discern the functions of given chapters Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast characters Identify an example of epiphany and articulate the effect it has on a character Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, metaphor, paradox, personification, simile, situational irony, symbolism, and more Consider how themes are reinforced Support claims and inferences with reasoned thinking 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 with this bundle of plot-based quizzes covering Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian science fiction novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. Although labeled quizzes, these resources may double as guided reading handouts to support purposeful, more active engagement with literature. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, four close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Read for literal comprehension Demonstrate knowledge of historical context Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast characters Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, metaphor, simile, anaphora, allusion, hyperbole, situational irony, and more Consider themes in context 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

Frontload assigned readings with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of the dystopian science fiction novel The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the book during unexpected teacher absences. Included are five vocabulary application activities, five crossword puzzles, five word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A total of 100 challenging words are addressed: abruptly, accost, acuteness, anguish, ashen, assiduously, attenuate, billowy, blundering, brooding, circuitously, circumspection, clamber, complacency, consolation, continuous, dart, denounce, desolate, despondent, dethronement, dexterous, diffuse, diminution, dismal, dissuade, domicile, dominion, dubiously, exhort, expostulate, exuberance, exultant, fecundity, feeble, formidable, fortnight, gesticulation, gloaming, gluttony, grating, haggard, hoarse, imminent, impede, impediment, implore, incandescent, incessant, incongruity, indefatigable, ineffectual, inkling, insensible, instantaneous, interminably, irresolute, jostle, keen, lackadaisical, languid, lethargic, lurid, melancholy, monotony, multitude, noisome, palpable, peril, persecution, persistence, petrify, pitiless, pluckily, propagation, ransack, remonstrance, reproach, repugnance, scarcely, scoff, serenity, shabby, smite, smoldering, solitude, squeamish, stupefy, subtlety, tediously, totter, transient, transitory, tumult, ultimatum, unkempt, vague, vestige, waylay, and weariness. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of seven plot-based quizzes covering Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a dystopian science fiction novel. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this bundle of printable assessments covering the entirety of Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, each quiz features questions about characters, setting, and plot. They serve well as post-reading checks of understanding or as guided reading worksheets to be completed as students navigate the text. Answer keys are provided.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of multiple choice quizzes covering the entirety of A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck. In addition to answer keys, short answer quiz options are provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in a zip file as Word Documents and PDFs.

Challenge middle and high school students to push beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin. Given the objective nature of the multiple choice questions, each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the novel, yet convenient enough for teachers to quickly and efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Seven close reading worksheets are provided, as well as answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. These resources may be used to facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these materials for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By the end of the novel, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words as they are used in a given passage Select the best synonyms for given words as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern tone in context Explore how characters think, behave, and interact Compare and contrast characters Examine how setting influences character development Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, personification, simile, epiphany, understatement, symbolism, situational irony, and dramatic irony Apply knowledge of various sound devices including sibilance and assonance Locate relevant textual details in support of the claim that Ulysses was the only crew member with the ability to think critically in the face of danger Explore themes that are reinforced in a given passage Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision