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 3, this resource saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing academic rigor in the classroom. 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 the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Analyze the author’s craft, with emphasis on the effect of archaic vocabulary Explore character motivations Apply knowledge of figurative language Make logical inferences in context

This PowerPoint was designed to facilitate classroom discussion and promote reading comprehension of W.W. Jacobs’ short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” The following elements are included in the presentation: Initiating questions to help students make personal connections and increase student interest in the text. An emphasis on relevant literary terminology, including suspense, mood, setting, and foreshadowing. Relevant textual details support these literary devices. Several analytical questions about characters, motivations, situational irony, and theme. Concise, potential student replies are also included.

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 1 and 2 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for 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 greater significance of a given detail Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast characters (Ender and Peter) Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile, metaphor, and invective Determine the intended effect of the author’s stylistic choices

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 from Book 2, chapter 2, which focuses on how the author’s craft contributes to a fleeting sense of freedom in contrast to the typically brutal setting of Oceania, 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 Identify textual details that contrast the harshness and abruptness typically associated with totalitarian Oceania Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of assonance and sibilance and analyze how literary devices contribute to text complexity 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 the character of Syme from Book 1, chapter 5, 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 Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop 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 general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The quiz may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the play. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Prospero’s advice for the engaged couple, Miranda and Ferdinand Ariel’s role in terms of arranging the wedding ceremony Gifts given to Miranda and Ferdinand The sprites who impersonate various goddesses An interruption during the wedding festivities Prospero’s erratic behavior How Prospero intends to entice his enemies Caliban’s awareness of a trap Prospero’s assessment of Caliban’s character Caliban’s epiphany The appearance of spirits in the form of animals

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The quiz may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the play. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Miranda and Ferdinand’s actions Advice given to help Prospero “become tender” Prospero’s reason for letting his enemies go A major personal decision made by Prospero Ariel’s fate Alonso’s dynamic character Prospero’s reason for not accusing his enemies of treason The fate of the shipwrecked crew Caliban’s promise Prospero’s storytelling Ariel’s last act of helping Prospero Conditions under which Caliban will be freed

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 5, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. An answer key is included. 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 in order to learn and verify word meanings 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 dynamic character 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

Incorporate more science fiction into the high school classroom and evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The protagonist’s job Relationships between the protagonist and various characters How the protagonist works to improve his intelligence The effects of a medical experiment The protagonist’s inferences about the learning process The resolution And more

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 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 intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text Consider how Shakespeare’s narrative techniques achieve both humorous and tension-relieving effects Determine the tone of dialogue in context Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Evaluate whether Claudio is a sympathetic and accountable character Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile, verbal irony, and dramatic irony 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 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 Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text Define complex words and phrases in context Verify the meanings of words and phrases using reference materials as needed Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on invective and callback Articulate an unanswered question related to the plot Make rational predictions about future events using context clues Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

“The Night Came Slowly” by Kate Chopin is an complex narrative packed with symbolism, yet it is short enough to compensate for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. With this plot-based quiz covering the short story, teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the public domain text. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The narrator’s perspective on humanity The narrator’s perspective on nature The narrator’s perspective on literature The narrator’s personal reflections The narrator’s spirituality The setting Personifying details And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 5 and 6 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science fiction novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The collective term for Ender’s group members The group’s supervisor Ender’s observations of older kids playing games How Ender compels an older kid to play a best-of-three set against him The older kids’ reaction to Ender’s victory in the best-of-three series Ender’s new friendship The means by which Ender wins a challenging game Ender’s ponderings And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 3 and 4 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science fiction novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The concerns of the unidentified voices Graff’s role in Ender’s life Graff’s curiosities about Ender’s behavior The reason Mazer Rackham is famous How the unidentified voices intend to foster Ender’s creativity The general response to Ender’s arrival at Battle School Ender’s reaction to being bullied Graff’s philosophies And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 1 and 2 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science fiction novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The protagonist’s compassionate nature Ender’s birth name The term used to refer to aliens in the novel Family dynamics The reason for a visit to the doctor Why Ender is mocked by his peers Ender’s response to bullying Peter’s personal goals And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 7 and 8 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science fiction novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Graff’s assessment of Ender’s reaction to Bernard Alai’s request of Ender The atypical nature of Ender’s army assignment A distinguishing characteristic of Petra Bonzo’s role Ender’s reaction to being traded to Rat Army Graff’s desire to manipulate Ender’s games Dink’s unconventional thinking Strange occurrences in Ender’s fantasy games And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 9 and 10 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science fiction novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Graff’s concerns about Ender’s game play The reason for Ender’s family’s move Peter’s interests and and philosophies Valentine and Peter’s collaboration The reason Graff visits Valentine Valentine’s recognition The makeup of Dragon Army Bean’s general characterization The cause of Ender’s sadness And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 11 through 13 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science fiction novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The lesson Ender learns from Carn Carby The unexpectedly quick turnaround in battle simulations Ender’s efforts to increase knowledge on fighting buggers Bean’s own toon, which is different than others Graff’s refusal to help Ender The conflict between Bonzo and Ender Ender’s realization that some of Peter’s views are true Ender’s latest transfer A revelation concerning Stilson and Bonzo Ender’s wish in regard to his relationship with Peter Ender on Earth for an extended period of time Information about Eros

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 14 and 15 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science fiction novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Mazer Rackham’s influence on Ender’s simulated games Control over the bugger fleet Ender’s squadron A character who is pushed to the limit Ender’s final exam Victory Mazer Rackham’s revelation post-victory Developments on Earth A visiting colonist Developments concerning Peter Ender’s realization upon holding the egg A new title

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 5 and 6 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for 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 the symbolism associated with a given object or character Discern the greater significance of given details Discern the intended effects of given details Determine the function of a given chapter Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism, allusion, paradox, and more Explore themes in context