Crime fiction appeals to many high school readers and maximizes engagement with literature. “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl is a darkly comedic short story belonging to a subgenre called revenge fantasy, as it details a husband’s murder at the hands of his wife (and the frozen leg of a lamb). This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. 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 inciting incident Analyze the setting and its immediate effect on the audience Determine the tone of a given passage Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, foreshadowing, ambiguity, and more Discern the most relevant theme from among several options Argue whether Mary is portrayed as an intelligent individual Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 4, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick) Explore cause-and-effect relationships Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, innuendo, dramatic irony, and more Articulate how Shakespeare established a tense atmosphere in the scene Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, malapropism, paradox, and more Discern the intended effect of literary devices in context Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 1, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern a function of the scene Explore the symbolism of lapwings and haggards in the context of the scene Examine nuances in words and phrases with similar meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick) Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, pun, hyperbole, and more Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Determine the intended effect of narrative techniques Explore the symbolism of an oyster in the context of Benedick’s mindset Discern the tone of Balthasar’s song Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, oxymoron, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Articulate the greater significance of Benedick’s appearance in the context of the scene Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, allusion, metaphor, simile, and more Discern a function of the scene Conduct brief research on the four humors of classical Greek medicine to facilitate an evaluation of Benedick’s condition Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 4, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, 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 Discern the tone of dialogue in context Explore how the setting of the scene contributes to the plot Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast two characters (Borachio and Conrade) Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on malapropism

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 5, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern the intended effect of narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, simile, invective, and more Articulate how Shakespeare established a tense atmosphere in the scene Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 5, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, 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 Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast characters (Benedick and Margaret; Benedick and Beatrice) Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 5, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the overall tone of the scene Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast this scene to the previous scene Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on paradox, personification, allusion, oxymoron, repetition, metaphor, and more Discern the intended effects of figurative language as it is used in the text

Help high school students develop close reading and poetry analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 146. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet eliminates assessment planning responsibilities 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language Explore the narrator’s mindset Discern the overall tone of the sonnet Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, paradox, and personification

With this synonym activity covering chapters 1 through 3 of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, students will examine the author’s diction and explore nuances in words with similar meanings. Specifically, this worksheet requires students to define challenging words as they are used in the novel and choose the most suitable synonyms to replace those words without changing the author’s intended meaning. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. The following vocabulary terms are addressed: diminutive disapprobation eccentric erratic imprudent mystify profound taciturn vapid vexations

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the tone of a particular remark Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast aspects of this scene with aspects of the previous scene Make inferences about the author’s intent Apply knowledge of literary devices including invective, pun, and more Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, 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 how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the function of the scene

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 1, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the function of a given detail Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick) Discern tone in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, juxtaposition, allusion, metaphor, and more Explore the symbolism associated with a given detail Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Don John and Benedick) Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, hyperbole, pun, alliteration, dramatic irony, and more

Help high school readers go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the prologue 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 (“Two households, both alike in dignity,” “Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean,” “What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend,” and more) Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Consider historical context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop 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

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 2, scene 1, 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. By completing this exercise, students will: Discern tone in context Explore character motivations Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Analyze the author’s craft, discerning how Shakespeare’s language influences the audience’s perception of Iago Locate textual evidence in support of claims Apply knowledge of figurative language to the text

“An Hour with Abuelo” by Judith Ortiz Cofer is a coming-of-age short story involving an intelligent teenager whose youthful determination and stubbornness keep him from learning an important lesson about controlling one’s destiny—that is, until an hour-long meeting with his grandfather. 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: A reason Arturo is reluctant to visit Abuelo What Abuelo is doing when Arturo enters his suite Abuelo’s life during World War II Abuelo’s various jobs Why Abuelo chose his final job Mother’s feelings about Abuelo’s final career change Arturo’s youthful determination Abuelo’s love of literature The end of Arturo’s meeting with Abuelo The reason Arturo laughs in the resolution

“An Hour with Abuelo” by Judith Ortiz Cofer is a coming-of-age short story involving an intelligent teenager whose youthful determination and stubbornness keep him from learning an important lesson about controlling one’s destiny—that is, until an hour-long meeting with his grandfather. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. While the close reading activity upholds academic rigor, the brevity of the narrative helps to fill awkward gaps in teaching schedules. 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 Determine the function of the opening paragraph Discern the greater significance of a given excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast two characters (Arturo and Abuelo) Explore how the first-person narration affects the readers’ perception of Arturo’s mother Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, euphemism, verbal irony, and more Explore theme Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials