"The Butterfly" by Hans Christian Andersen Close Reading

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of comprehension and analysis questions on Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Butterfly.” A variety of question types are included to help prepare for standardized testing scenarios: vocabulary-in-context questions, main idea questions, detail questions, author’s craft questions, and more. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story (estimated Lexile range of 700-800) are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.

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:

• Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
• Cite textual evidence in support of claims
• Write with clarity and precision
• Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus
• Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony and alliteration
• Articulate variables that influence the protagonist’s modes of thinking
• Evaluate whether the protagonist is fair in his process of selecting a potential wife
• Make logical inferences about characters’ motivations
• Explain how the author incorporates foreshadowing into the text