Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 1 through 4 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “The House on Mango Street,” “Hairs,” “Boys and Girls,” and “My Name.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The reason behind the family’s move
The qualities/description of the new house
The smell of her mother’s hair
The lack of interaction among boys and girls in the community
Esperanza’s frustrations with spending time with Nenny
Esperanza’s desire to have a best friend
The origin of Esperanza’s name
Esperanza’s personal feelings about her name
The Chinese year of the horse and its superstitious meaning to women
Cultural views on women (Chinese and Mexican)
Esperanza’s great grandmother and her arranged marriage
Promote student accountability and measure general reading comprehension of J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. Featuring 112 questions spanning the entire novel, this bundle quickly and conveniently provides formative data on student knowledge and reading habits. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Answer keys are included.
Questions pertain to the following key details:
Point of view
The tone of Holden’s voice
Where Holden is at the start of the story
Holden’s family
Reason for Holden’s dismissal from Pencey Prep
Holden’s irresponsible behaviors and actions
Visiting Mr. Spencer
“Life is a game”
Mr. Spencer’s advice to Holden
Holden’s awful paper on ancient Egyptians
Holden’s lack of willingness to confront his own actions
A prominent article of clothing
A character description of Ackley
Inference skills (Holden’s judgment of Ackley)
A character description of Stradlater
An agreement Holden strikes with Stradlater
Jane Gallagher
Holden’s obsession with and hatred toward phonies
A trip to the movies
Application of situational irony (irony of result)
Ackley’s inclusion
The intended subject matter of Stradlater’s composition assignment
Holden’s decision to deviate from the assignment’s expectations
Character description of Allie
Holden’s response to Allie’s death
Stradlater’s reaction to Holden’s writing
Holden’s attempt to irritate Stradlater
Stradlater’s date with Jane
A physical altercation
Holden’s difficulties in falling asleep
A late-night conversation with Ackley
Holden’s decision to leave for New York abruptly
Holden’s decision to delay returning to his parents’ apartment
Holden’s train ride encounter with Ms. Morrow and the ensuing conversation
Holden’s hypocrisy
Holden’s loneliness
Holden’s attempt to set himself up on a date
Holden’s judgment of many other hotel patrons
Phoebe (her humor, creativity, and biggest imperfection according to Holden)
The Lavender Room
Holden’s actions in the Lavender Room (ordering drinks, flirting, etc.)
The history of Holden and Jane’s friendship
Textual evidence that supports how Holden felt closest to Jane (baseball glove)
Jane’s alcoholic father
“All you knew is you were happy”
Horwitz
Ernie’s nightclub
The significance of these chapters in terms of our understanding of Holden’s character (his loneliness and search for companionship)
Holden’s imagination
Holden’s confession (fearfulness)
An offer from the elevator operator
The cost of the offer
Holden’s perceptions on what women want
Holden’s attempt to avoid intimacy with Sunny
A violent altercation
Holden’s guilt over an incident involving Allie
Holden’s thoughts on organized religion
A date with Sally
Holden’s mother and her health
Holden’s feelings toward his mother
Holden’s thoughts on money and its effect on people
Holden’s thoughts as he sees the nuns
A gift for Phoebe (“Little Shirley Beans”)
A phone call to Jane
Holden’s search for his sister
An encounter with a girl who claims to know Holden’s sister
Holden’s thoughts about time as he visits the museum
Holden’s date with Sally
Sally’s flirtatiousness
Holden’s emotional instability and its influence on his treatment of Sally
A plan to meet with Carl Luce for drinks
An observation that calls to mind Allie
Holden’s thoughts about joining the military
Holden’s characterization of Carl Luce
Holden’s line of questioning (lack of maturity)
Holden’s decision to get drunk
A drunken phone call to Sally
Dropping and breaking the record
Holden’s thoughts about death and his own funeral
A decision to return home
Holden’s observation about sleeping children
How Holden was able to gain easy access to his parents’ apartment
Holden’s perusal of Phoebe’s school books and personal notes
Phoebe’s middle name
Phoebe’s concern that Dad will want to kill Holden for being expelled
How Phoebe demonstrates her frustrations toward Holden
Phoebe’s accusation that Holden hates everything
Holden’s interpretation of a misheard song lyric
The James Castle incident
What Holden loaned James
Holden’s desire to call Mr. Antolini
Mr. Antolini’s luxurious apartment
Mr. Antolini’s drunkenness
Holden’s explanation as to why he disliked Pencey Prep
That Mr. Antolini is compared to D.B.
Holden’s interest in side stories or digressions
Mr. Antolini’s fear that Holden is destined for “a terrible fall”
The root of Holden’s dissatisfaction in life, according to Mr. Antolini
The significance of an education for Holden, according to Mr. Antolini
How Mr. Antolini awakens Holden
Holden’s visceral reaction to the manner in which he was awakened
Holden’s second guessing of Mr. Antolini’s motivations
Holden’s concern for his own safety as he crosses streets
Holden’s desire to re-connect with Phoebe at the Museum of Art
Holden’s desire to move out west and avoid human interaction
What upsets Holden at the school
Holden’s impending physical collapse
The return of the red hunting hat
A trip to the zoo
Holden’s emotional state as he watches Phoebe on the carousel
Holden’s decision to return home
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 25 and 26 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements:
Holden’s second guessing of Mr. Antolini’s motivations
Holden’s concern for his own safety as he crosses streets
Holden’s desire to re-connect with Phoebe at the Museum of Art
Holden’s desire to move out west and avoid human interaction
What upsets Holden at the school
Holden’s impending physical collapse
The return of the red hunting hat
A trip to the zoo
Holden’s emotional state as he watches Phoebe on the carousel
Holden’s decision to return home
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapter 24 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Mr. Antolini’s luxurious apartment
Mr. Antolini’s drunkenness
Holden’s explanation as to why he disliked Pencey Prep
That Mr. Antolini is compared to D.B.
Holden’s interest in side stories or digressions
Mr. Antolini’s fear that Holden is destined for “a terrible fall”
The root of Holden’s dissatisfaction in life, according to Mr. Antolini
The significance of an education for Holden, according to Mr. Antolini
How Mr. Antolini awakens Holden
Holden’s visceral reaction to the manner in which he was awakened
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 21, 22, and 23 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Holden’s observation about sleeping children
How Holden was able to gain easy access to his parents’ apartment
Holden’s perusal of Phoebe’s school books and personal notes
Phoebe’s middle name
Phoebe’s concern that Dad will want to kill Holden for being expelled
How Phoebe demonstrates her frustrations toward Holden
Phoebe’s accusation that Holden hates everything
Holden’s interpretation of a misheard song lyric
The James Castle incident
What Holden loaned James
Holden’s desire to call Mr. Antolini
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 18, 19, and 20 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A plan to meet with Carl Luce for drinks
An observation that calls to mind Allie
Holden’s thoughts about joining the military
Holden’s characterization of Carl Luce
Holden’s line of questioning (lack of maturity)
Holden’s decision to get drunk
A drunken phone call to Sally
Dropping and breaking the record
Holden’s thoughts about death and his own funeral
A decision to return home
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 16 and 17 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Holden’s thoughts as he sees the nuns
A gift for Phoebe (“Little Shirley Beans”)
A phone call to Jane
Holden’s search for his sister
An encounter with a girl who claims to know Holden’s sister
Holden’s thoughts about time as he visits the museum
Holden’s date with Sally
Sally’s flirtatiousness
Holden’s emotional instability and its influence on his treatment of Sally
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 13, 14, and 15 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Holden’s imagination
Holden’s confession (fearfulness)
An offer from the elevator operator
The cost of the offer
Holden’s perceptions on what women want
Holden’s attempt to avoid intimacy with Sunny
A violent altercation
Holden’s guilt over an incident involving Allie
Holden’s thoughts on organized religion
A date with Sally
Holden’s mother and her health
Holden’s feelings toward his mother
Holden’s thoughts on money and its effect on people
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 10, 11, and 12 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Phoebe (her humor, creativity, and biggest imperfection according to Holden)
The Lavender Room
Holden’s actions in the Lavender Room (ordering drinks, flirting, etc.)
The history of Holden and Jane’s friendship
Textual evidence that supports how Holden felt closest to Jane (baseball glove)
Jane’s alcoholic father
“All you knew is you were happy”
Horwitz
Ernie’s nightclub
The significance of these chapters in terms of our understanding of Holden’s character (his loneliness and search for companionship)
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 7, 8, and 9 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Holden’s difficulties in falling asleep
A late-night conversation with Ackley
Holden’s decision to leave for New York abruptly
Holden’s decision to delay returning to his parents’ apartment
Holden’s train ride encounter with Ms. Morrow and the ensuing conversation
Holden’s hypocrisy
Holden’s loneliness
Holden’s attempt to set himself up on a date
Holden’s judgment of many other hotel patrons
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 5 and 6 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A trip to the movies
Application of situational irony (irony of result)
Ackley’s inclusion
The intended subject matter of Stradlater’s composition assignment
Holden’s decision to deviate from the assignment’s expectations
Character description of Allie
Holden’s response to Allie’s death
Stradlater’s reaction to Holden’s writing
Holden’s attempt to irritate Stradlater
Stradlater’s date with Jane
A physical altercation
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 3 and 4 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A prominent article of clothing
A character description of Ackley
Inference skills (Holden’s judgment of Ackley)
A character description of Stradlater
An agreement Holden strikes with Stradlater
Jane Gallagher
Holden’s obsession with and hatred toward phonies
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 1 and 2 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Point of view
The tone of Holden’s voice
Where Holden is at the start of the story
Holden’s family
Reason for Holden’s dismissal from Pencey Prep
Holden’s irresponsible behaviors and actions
Visiting Mr. Spencer
“Life is a game”
Mr. Spencer’s advice to Holden
Holden’s awful paper on ancient Egyptians
Holden’s lack of willingness to confront his own actions
For many middle and high school students, the fantasy genre promotes active engagement with literature. With this printable assessment on “The Chaser” by John Collier, a short story in the fantasy genre, English Language Arts teachers will evaluate general reading comprehension and hold students accountable for homework completion. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A character description of Alan Austen
Characteristics of the “glove cleaner”
An alternative name for the “glove cleaner”
The cost of the “glove cleaner”
Alan’s reason for visiting the old man
The effects of the love potion
Side effects of ingesting the love potion
The cost of the love potion
The old man’s business philosophy
The significance of the title (analysis)
Situational irony in the story
For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. 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:
Susan Calvin’s disposition
Linda Rash’s profession
The nature of the relationship between the two professionals
The name of the robot
Linda’s efforts to improve the robot’s brain
The reason Linda kept her work private
The means by which the robot re-awakens
The duration of the robot’s dreams
The First, Second, and Third Laws of Robotics
Alarming details of the robot’s dreams
Susan’s motive for destroying the robot
Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the science fiction short story “Backward Step” by Paul Jennings. An answer key is included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The television program John watches
What John’s mom does that makes her feel very guilty
A teenage boy’s desperate plea for John’s mom to read a book
John’s status as a famous child
John’s sudden appearance in a classroom
John’s family background
An attempt to help John find his home
A visit to the police station
John’s grandmother, who agrees to take John in
John’s unique capabilities (time travel)
This resource measures reading comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of “Split Cherry Tree” by Jesse Stuart. A short answer assessment, this quiz features 9 questions and includes an answer key. Questions pertain to the following key details:
♦ The cause of the split cherry tree
♦ Dave’s means of repayment
♦ Dave’s insistence that he not stay after school and why
♦ Dave’s father’s behavior
♦ Professor Herbert’s lesson involving bacteria
♦ Dave’s father’s philosophy on killing
♦ Professor Herbert’s thoughtful offer
♦ A surprising admission regarding how education has changed and how it has passed Dave’s father by
Hold students accountable for reading Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird with this bundle of comprehension-based quizzes . Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing these assessments, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of the novel:
Point of view
Setting
Jem’s injury
The kids’ mother and father
Calpurnia’s job
Dill
Boo Radley’s background
The dare
Walter Cunningham’s philosophy
The effects of the Great Depression on Maycomb’s citizens
Scout’s fight
The teacher’s reaction to an alarming situation
Perception of the Ewells
Discoveries in the knothole
Jem’s fear for Scout’s life
The irony of the discovery of money
Dill’s claim of a peculiar talents
The rolling tire incident
The game the kids play
Dill and Scout’s relationship
The evolving relationship between Scout and Miss Maudie
Theories pertaining to the mystery of Boo Radley
Miss Maudie’s impressions of Boo
Delivering a note to Boo
A contest between Jem and Dill
The kids’ decision to sneak to the Radley residence
Mr. Radley scaring the kids off
How and why Jem lost his pants
Dill’s excuse for Jem’s lost pants
The lie Jem tells to Atticus
What motivates Jem to leave home in the middle of the night
Jem’s alarming discovery
Items in the knothole
Mr. Radley’s heartbreaking attempt to break Boo’s connection to the outside world
Miss Maudie’s peculiar reaction to the house fire
The blanket wrapped around Scout
Scout’s reaction upon a disturbing discovery
Beating up Cecil Jacobs
Christmas gifts
Scout’s punishment
Atticus discussing the trial with Uncle Jack
The Tim Johnson incident
Why the kids dislike Mrs. Dubose
Mrs. Dubose’s condition
Jem’s misbehavior and subsequent punishment
The true purpose behind Jem’s punishment
“The bravest person I ever knew”
A gift left for Jem
Jem’s misunderstanding of Mrs. Dubose’s intent
Jem’s moodiness
Disappointing news to begin summer
The reason for Atticus’s two-week absence
The incident involving Eunice Ann Simpson
Lula’s treatment of the children
The general reaction of the parishioners toward the children
Calpurnia’s separate identities
Why Alexandra decides to stay with the family
Alexandra’s philosophy on what makes “fine” people
Aunt Alexandra’s feelings toward Calpurnia
The discovery under Scout’s bed
Breaking “the code of childhood”
Dill’s epiphany regarding Boo Radley’s isolation
Jem breaking up the meeting
Atticus and Mr. Underwood outside of the jailhouse
Jem’s concern for his father
The lynch mob
How the lynch mob came to disperse
Dolphus Raymond as a social outcast
The “sad” life of Dolphus Raymond’s children
Who arranges for the children to have seats at the trial
Judge Taylor’s peculiarity
The prosecution’s first witness
The significance of Mayella’s injured eye
Bob Ewell’s testimony
Dramatic irony
The significance of Bob Ewell writing his name
Mayella’s insubordination
Tom Robinson’s injury
Tom’s previous run-in with the law
Why Tom had to serve 30 days
Mayella’s plan to ensure her siblings were not present
Scout’s epiphany regarding Mayella’s loneliness
Link Deas’s support of Tom
Bob Ewell’s comments according to Tom’s testimony
Why Tom frequently helped Mayella
Mr. Gilmer’s treatment of Tom
The major revelation regarding Dolphus Raymond’s condition
Atticus’s summation
Atticus’s peculiar behavior that surprises the kids
Interruption of the court proceedings
Jem’s misunderstanding racial prejudice and the justice system
The jury’s deliberation
The verdict
The African American community’s appreciation of Atticus
Altercation between Bob and Atticus
Alexandra’s strictness
Jem’s opinion on Boo’s isolation
The missionary circle
Mrs. Merriweather’s critical comments
Mrs. Merriweather’s hypocrisy
Tom’s death
The bitter editorial
Bob Ewell’s antagonistic behaviors
Miss Gates’s hypocrisy
Jem’s reaction to the trial’s outcome
Strange incidents in Maycomb
Atticus’s opinion on Bob Ewell’s malicious behaviors
Miss Tutti and Miss Frutti
The pageant and how it was ruined
Jem’s concerns on the way home
The attack
Heck Tate’s discovery at the crime scene
Jem’s method of arriving home
Who saved the kids from Bob’s assault
Atticus’s misunderstanding of the story
Heck Tate’s version of the story
The fairness of hiding the truth
Scout’s awareness of why hiding the truth is acceptable
Scout’s sadness upon recalling items in the knothole
Scout and Atticus’s activity as the novel ends
Atticus’s last lesson he teaches Scout before the novel ends
For many high school readers, horror and supernatural fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Before I Wake” by Jim Cort features elements consistent with both genres: psychological deterioration, heightened emotions, grim imagery, a suspicious death, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “Before I Wake” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key is included, but since the short story is not in the public domain, purchasers are responsible for acquiring their own copy of the text. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following key details:
Leonard Zanelli’s profession
Events preceding David Conklin’s arrest
A fear of falling asleep
Details of Conklin’s terrifying dreams
Physical effects of the dream
Factors contributing to Conklin’s suicide
The medical examiner’s report
Details of Zanelli’s personal letter
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Middle Woman,” a short story by Orson Scott Card. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this assessment makes it easier to quickly gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided. Due to copyright restrictions, a copy of the short story is not included.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Middle Woman’s annual journey to visit her sisters
The malevolent reason the dragon offers humans three wishes
Middle Woman’s reasonable first wish
The dragon’s evil actions
Situational irony
Middle Woman’s intelligent second wish
Her husband’s criticism of her, berating her as a changeable woman
Middle Woman’s cheerfulness despite criticism
Ensuing years in which Middle Woman uses her intellect rather than her remaining wish
The dragon’s return many years later
An offer of immortality
Middle Woman’s kind final wish.