Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 9, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. 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: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, allusion, and more Conduct brief online research (if necessary) to determine the symbolic value of a particular object 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 dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 6, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. 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: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, allusion, hyperbole, personification, oxymoron, and more 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 general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Cat and Mouse in Partnership,” a cautionary story about manipulative and predatory behavior. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Circumstances under which the cat and mouse decide to live together Preparations for the winter The hiding place of provisions The cat’s deceptive behavior The mouse’s suspicion of the cat The fate of the mouse And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Wolf and the Fox,” a cautionary story about the consequences of impulsiveness. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The reason the fox is subservient to the wolf The demands the wolf makes of the fox The fox’s assessment of the wolf’s behavior The consequences of the wolf’s actions The resolution And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle,” a narrative addressing the values of hard work and devotion. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The maiden’s tragic life circumstances The old woman’s work The last advice of the old woman The maiden’s work The prince’s internal conflict The prince’s initial sighting of the maiden A distinguishing characteristic of the prince The effects of the maiden’s song The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “Grandmother,” which centers on themes of appreciating one’s elders and the fleeting nature of physical life. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view Grandmother’s physical characteristics What the narrator appreciates most about Grandmother Prized possessions A significant memory The nature of Grandmother’s passing How Grandmother’s memory is honored The narrator’s perspective on burials and the dead

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Old Tombstone,” a narrative that conveys one method by which beauty may always exist in the world despite humanity’s tendency to be ruinous. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting How a family came into possession of several tombstones The general purposes of the tombstones Imagery associated with the tombstone The reputation of an old couple A character’s reminiscences The fate of the old couple’s house The old man’s belief on what happens to all things The effect of the grandfather’s account Prevalent imagery Theme

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 the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Fox and the Cat,” a cautionary story about hubris and its consequences. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the supporting activity upholds rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the short story are included. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Describe the tone of a given excerpt Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Consider the greater significance of a given detail Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on hubris, invective, and metaphor Explore themes in context

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (chapters 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39). A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: apathetic, bedraggled, conspicuously, deferential, evasive, frivolous, frowzy, inscrutable, jocularity, juvenile, lurid, martyr, monotony, precarious, procure, sneer, sulky, and volition. 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 plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Fox and the Cat,” a cautionary story about hubris and its consequences. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The characters’ first impressions of each other The cat’s question of the fox The fox’s question of the cat The cat’s self-proclaimed talent The fox’s self-proclaimed talents The fox’s offer to the cat The fate of the cat And more

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (chapters 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46). A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abdicate, assent, banter, complicity, decorous, implore, incredulous, munificent, penance, pervade, placid, platitude, purloin, relinquish, sardonic, serene, shrill, and zeal. 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

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. 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. Students will perform the following tasks: Make a logical inference based on the narrative’s title Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of the author’s language in context Determine the function of the narrative’s point of view Consider the effects of the author’s narrative techniques Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast the characterizations of the protagonist and the police Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on red herring and symbolism

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home grading with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Goose Girl,” which centers on themes of greed and karma. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The old Queen’s intentions for her gold and treasures The peculiar characteristics of Falada A gift from the old Queen to her daughter The personification of the bloodied handkerchief The servant’s defiance of the princess The princess’ humility An incident that emboldens the servant An oath taken by the princess The identity of the goose-boy The demands of the false bride The princess’ manipulation of the wind The general characterization of the aged King The princess’ affection for her mother The fate of the false bride

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills while teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Goose Girl,” which centers on themes of greed and karma. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Indicate the greater significance of given details Select the most appropriate synonym to replace a word as it is used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern the intended effect language and narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Discern the function of a particular character in terms of advancing plot Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, metaphor, hyperbole, callback, situational irony, and more Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fairy tale fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Raven,” which centers on themes of persistence and resilience. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Events preceding the young princess’ transformation The raven’s warning The consequences of not heeding the warning The special quality of food given to the man The raven’s gifts for the man The content of the raven’s letter to the man The interactions between the man and the giant The distinguishing characteristic of a mountain The robbers’ interactions among one another The man’s deceptive treatment of the robbers The resolution

Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering “The Wives of the Dead” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a short story addressing themes of grief and illusion. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with supernatural fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The narrator’s opinion of the story Imagery Mary’s general characterization Margaret’s general characterization Goodman Parker’s general characterization Stephen’s general characterization Illusion vs. reality

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Emissary,” a piece of special appeal to high school students interested in Halloween, supernatural fiction, and the meaningful bond between humans and their pets. An answer key is provided. 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. Students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of the author’s language in context Consider the effects of the author’s narrative techniques Describe tone in context Verify interpretations of language, using reference materials as needed Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on foreshadowing, personification, onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, callback, and more Conduct brief research on Halloween’s history to answer a question pertaining to the season’s relevance to the plot Support claims and inferences with relevant evidence and sound reasoning Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

“The Mortal Immortal” by Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, is a short story of special appeal to high school students interested in Halloween, supernatural fiction, and philosophical perspectives on eternal life. Use this plot-based quiz on “The Mortal Immortal” to evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The significance of a given date The protagonist’s name How the protagonist and his beloved first met Cornelius Agrippa’s profession The perception of Agrippa Why the protagonist is motivated to work for Agrippa The reason the protagonist ingests the elixir A deathbed admission The public’s reaction to the protagonist’s perpetual youthfulness Bertha’s demeanor as she ages The protagonist’s plans for himself

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. 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: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the primary function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including figurative language and situational 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 dramatic works

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. 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: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on 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