Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, and text comprehension with a brief, engaging fairy tale titled “The Hare and the Hedgehog” by the Brothers Grimm. A plot-based quiz is provided to measure reading comprehension, along with an answer key and copy of the public domain narrative (estimated Lexile Measure of 1000-1100). Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view Setting Character actions and descriptions The hedgehog’s insecurity The wager between the hare and the hedgehog The wife’s role in the hedgehog’s plan The fate of the hare Theme

Conclude a unit on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells with this printable summative assessment. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this test includes 46 multiple choice questions. In addition to objective questions on character, plot, literary devices, and quote/passage analysis, an essay section is featured, requiring high school students to explore how the author incorporated verisimilitude into the plot. An answer key and standards-based essay scoring rubric are provided. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate an ability to: Correctly identify characters based on given details and descriptions Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, dramatic irony, imagery, personification, and more Analyze passages to determine which ones support a given claim or idea Write a brief essay in which students convey ideas with relevant textual evidence and adhere to the standard conventions of written English

For many high school readers, science fiction, supernatural fiction, and horror are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “From Beyond” by H.P. Lovecraft is a compelling short story that features elements consistent with those genres: advanced technology, parallel realities, alien life, and more. This multiple choice quiz on “From Beyond” 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: Crawford Tillinghast’s beliefs The purpose of an advanced machine The narrator’s connection to Tillinghast The narrator’s advice for Tillinghast The physical transformation of Tillinghast The location of Tillinghast’s lab The effects of the machine on the narrator The narrator’s emotional reaction to his supernatural experiences Tillinghast’s advice for staying safe The collective fate of Tillinghast’s servants Peculiar creatures surrounding the characters The fate of the machine Tillinghast’s apparent cause of death The police officers’ assumptions about the narrator

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 “The Fox and the Horse” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1100-1200, 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: How age has affected the protagonist The seemingly insurmountable challenge the protagonist faces The protagonist’s emotional state The role of the fox in terms of assisting the horse The execution of a plan to resolve the protagonist’s conflict The resolution

Measure comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school and college with this set of rigorous questions on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “Ex Oblivione.” The variety of reading question types also facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1400-1500, this text and its corresponding active reading exercise are appropriate additions to a high school short story unit, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. A detailed answer key is provided. 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 activity, students will demonstrate the following: An ability to define complex vocabulary in context An ability to navigate specialized reference materials to clarify a word’s precise meaning(s) An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character mindsets An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as situational irony An ability to analyze cause-and-effect relationships An ability to analyze the author’s craft to discern and articulate tone in context An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity, logic, and precision

For many high school readers, supernatural fiction and fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Polaris” by H.P. Lovecraft features plot elements consistent with the aforementioned genres: a narrator of questionable sanity, a dreamscape setting, the conflict between imagination and reality, and more. This rigorous worksheet covering “Polaris” (estimated Lexile Measure of 1200-1300) helps English teachers extend student learning beyond reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Provide an objective description of the story’s setting Discern how the narrator feels about Polaris and cite textual evidence in support of the claim Analyze the author’s craft to discern which literary devices are applied, with emphasis on hyperbaton, sibilance, callback, and personification Analyze a portion of the text to determine tone in context Identify several variables that put the protagonist and his people at a severe disadvantage against their brutish enemies Describe the narrator’s physical condition and infer how it may have influenced his opinion of Alos Understand the narrator’s modes of thinking, particularly as it relates to his failures Elaborate upon what is revealed in the poem, paying special attention to the Pole Star’s influence on the narrator Explain the effect that callback and personification have upon the reader Define complex vocabulary and phrasing in context Navigate specialized reference materials successfully Write with clarity, logic, and precision

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 Hamlet. With a focus on Act 4, scene 2, 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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. More specifically, students will be able to: Discern the tone of a given passage Identify the meaning of a particular line Identify an example of metaphor and explain its intended meaning Analyze Hamlet’s dialogue to discern and articulate how he portrays Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as less than human Cite textual evidence in support of the claim that Hamlet shows disrespect toward the king Analyze the author’s craft to discern what effect is created by presenting several consecutive brief scenes Isolate a factual statement about plot development from falsehoods

Measure comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school and college with this set of rigorous questions on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Very Old Folk.” The variety of reading question types also facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1400-1500, this text and its corresponding active reading exercise are appropriate additions to a high school short story unit, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. A detailed answer key is provided. 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 activity, students will demonstrate the following: An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character mindsets An ability to analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context An ability to navigate specialized reference materials successfully An ability to analyze a passage to discern its primary purpose An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as situational irony An ability to analyze cause-and-effect relationships An ability to analyze textual details to infer and articulate the author’s intent An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity, logic, and precision

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

For many high school readers, fairy tales and fantasy fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Red Shoes” by Hans Christian Andersen is about a peasant girl whose obsession with her footwear leads to supernatural events, seemingly divine punishment, and eventual redemption. With this rigorous worksheet composed of high-order questions, English Language Arts teachers will help students extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Apply knowledge of various literary devices including dramatic irony, personification, symbolism, and more Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Make a claim about whether a detail is ironic Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual details Explore potential themes Discern the function of a given paragraph Connect the text to societally relevant concepts in modern society, such as social mobility Conduct research to answer questions about autobiographical parallel Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

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 rigorous worksheet composed of high-order questions, English Language Arts teachers will help students extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills. The briefness of the narrative also helps teachers fill awkward gaps in scheduling. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus Apply knowledge of various literary devices including hyperbole, alliteration, assonance, hubris, personification, dramatic irony, and more Analyze a passage to discern author’s intent Discern the function of a given paragraph Analyze what characters’ actions reveal about their modes of thinking Make logical inferences about characters’ actions Explain how the author incorporates personification into the text Explore the symbolism of trees and articulate how the old willow tree’s characterization is consistent with symbolic interpretations Articulate a relevant theme and connect it to plot developments Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual details Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on Life As We Knew It, a dystopian young adult novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer, with emphasis on chapters fifteen through seventeen. A multiple choice assessment is provided, as well as a subjective version. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details: Mom’s feelings about needing Miranda’s help Why Mrs. Nesbitt believes it is better that Miranda visit daily What Mrs. Nesbitt wants Miranda’s mom to know The significance of people moving plywood into their living rooms Miranda’s feelings following the death of Mrs. Nesbitt Mrs. Nesbitt’s pendant The alarming discovery at Mrs. Nesbitt’s house following her death Gray snow and the blizzard Miranda and Jonny’s plan to help Matt find his way home Jonny’s discovery about the family’s eating habits Matt’s suggested diet change The fantasy that plays out in Miranda’s head

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on Life As We Knew It, a dystopian young adult novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer, with emphasis on chapters one through four. A multiple choice assessment is provided, as well as a subjective version. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details: The relationship between Miranda and her mother The neighbors’ collective reaction to the meteor strike The subsequent natural disasters that occur The significance of school not being cancelled the following day Miranda’s heroism in the face of disaster People’s peculiar purchasing habits at the supermarket Rumors that begin to circulate Miranda’s step-mother and her condition Megan’s alarming response to the worldwide disaster Matt’s arrival home and his comments on heroism