Looking for a high school horror story resource for the Halloween season? Looking for a text to pair with “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe or a similar narrative? Use this plot-based quiz to evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities. The quiz may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate student engagement with the short story. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: What the protagonists do with the artifacts they collect The conditions under which the protagonists prefer to do their work Setting Surprising discoveries inside a coffin A physical description of the amulet The effect the amulet seems to have on the protagonists The manner of St. John’s death Details of an assault against the narrator The narrator’s epiphany An ironic turn of events The disturbing visual of the corpse inside the coffin The fate of the narrator

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Sonnet X, also known as “Death be Not Proud,” by metaphysical poet John Donne. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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 engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal and interpretive comprehension Apply knowledge of setting, characterization, conflict, and literary devices Be better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions about poetry

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Gary Soto’s short story “The No-Guitar Blues.” A detailed answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, metaphor, and simile Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Determine the narrative’s dominant conflict Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Explore character motivations Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and situational irony Determine the function of a particular passage Make an inference about the author’s point of view Articulate the intended effect of the author’s diction in context Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the Party’s influence on relationship development from Book 2, chapter 3, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of sound and literary devices including sibilance and dramatic irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about Winston’s evolving feelings toward Julia from Book 2, chapter 4, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Determine the tone of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dynamic character and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter six of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The year-to-year comparison of the harvest A newly instituted policy Squealer’s method of convincing animals the new policy is acceptable The pigs’ collective lifestyle Napoleon’s big announcement Revisions to existing commandments Muriel’s skill Benjamin’s general characterization The fate of the windmill Napoleon’s response to the windmill’s fate

Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter eight of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Further modifications to existing commandments The reason Squealer presents the animals with statistics The fate of three hens Napoleon’s announcements Frederick’s forgeries Details about the attack on Animal Farm A discovery made by the pigs Squealer’s newest allegations against Snowball

Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter ten of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Working conditions and general quality of life The elimination of once common aspects of Animal Farm A new slogan at Animal Farm Physical changes to the pigs The farm’s name change The reason humans return to the farm The single remaining commandment The nature of the interaction between pigs and humans A conflict between Napoleon and Pilkington The working animals’ observation of the interaction between pigs and humans

Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 1 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the function of a given passage Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and verisimilitude Conduct brief research on the beliefs of German philosopher Karl Marx Articulate whether Major’s speech reflects a belief in Marxist ideology Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 2 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the function of a given passage Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Articulate the significance of the animals’ decision to rename the farm Explore themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 5 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Reflect on the theme of forbidden pleasures in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 8 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Contrast the Battle of the Windmill with the Battle of the Cowshed Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on hubris Evaluate the role propaganda plays in the world of Animal Farm Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 9 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Consider the irony associated with the word republic Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Articulate how the pigs demonstrate contradictory thinking and actions Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 10 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Reflect on the greater significance of Animal Farm’s name change Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Defend the claim that the animals are collectively worse off than before Napoleon’s rule Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a portion of H. G. Wells’ science fiction novel The War of the Worlds (book 1, chapters 11 through 17). An answer key and copy of the relevant text are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Demonstrate knowledge of historical context Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the function of a given chapter Consider the symbolism of given objects or circumstances Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast two characters Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia and situational irony Reflect on the influence of mass media on the public Support claims and inferences with reasoned thinking and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a portion of H. G. Wells’ science fiction novel The War of the Worlds (book 2, chapters 6 through 10). An answer key and copy of the relevant text are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Consider the relevance of a given chapter title (“Wreckage”) Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Identify an example of epiphany and articulate the effect it has on a character Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, aposiopesis, and paradox Support claims and inferences with reasoned thinking and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Edgar Allan Poe’s supernatural short story “The Fall of the House of Usher.” An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the functions of given excerpts Explore the connection between the plot of the short story and the content of the poem titled “The Haunted Palace” Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various sound and literary devices including alliteration, personification, euphemism, foreshadowing, situational irony, hyperbole, epiphany, juxtaposition, and more Conduct brief research on Swiss painter Henry Fuseli to develop greater understanding of Poe’s allusion to him Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature