“The Juniper Tree” by the Brothers Grimm is a macabre fairy tale featuring a variety of literary elements including black humor and poetic justice. Promote active engagement with fiction by incorporating this short story into the high school English Language Arts classroom (especially during the Halloween season), and use this multiple choice assessment to quickly and efficiently measure general reading comprehension. An answer key and copy of the public domain Grimms’ tale are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The cause of death of the boy’s biological mother The reason for the stepmother’s hate for her stepson The antagonist’s deception of her own daughter The stepmother’s plan to conceal her deed The antagonist’s explanation to the boy’s father regarding his absence The characterization of Marlinchen A collection of objects The bird’s repeated song The cause of the stepmother’s death The father’s reaction to the death of his wife

Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time with this printable quiz on the Gothic short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: An accurate descriptor for the narrator’s state of mind Understanding what it means to “punish with impunity” Fortunato’s fondness for wine What Amontillado is Montresor’s premeditated scheme to lure Fortunato The cause of Fortunato’s coughing fits Montresor’s efforts to appear friendly despite his intent What can be found inside the catacombs The significance of a hand gesture The apprehension of Fortunato Fortunato’s disturbing fate

Gothic fiction is a genre that maximizes many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Beast in the Cave” by H.P. Lovecraft is a Gothic short story featuring an ominous setting, a protagonist with a deteriorating psychological state, a mysterious being, and a twist ending. This multiple choice quiz on “The Beast in the Cave” 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: Setting The allegedly health-restoring benefits of the setting The narrator’s characterization as conveyed in the exposition The reason for the narrator’s sudden terror The narrator’s method of self-defense A complication the narrator faces An incident that reflects a change in the narrator’s fortunes The physical attributes of the injured creature

For many high school readers, supernatural fiction and fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” by H.P. Lovecraft is a compelling short story that features elements consistent with both genres: dreamy aberrations, astral projection, the possession of a human body, and more. This rigorous worksheet covering “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” 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 activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Analyze nuance in words with similar meanings Examine the narrator’s attitude toward Freud Determine the function of a given paragraph Discern the tone of a particular passage Examine the author’s choices to infer his intent Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters develop and interact Identify and explain an example of situational irony Explore cause-and-effect relationships Defend claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Measure reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school and college with this set of analysis questions on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “Hypnos.” A variety of reading question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1300-1400, this text and its corresponding active reading worksheet are appropriate additions to short story, Halloween, or horror units, 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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. By completing this activity, secondary students will demonstrate the following: An ability to analyze a paragraph in the text in order to discern its primary function. 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 relationships An ability to define complex words and phrases in context An ability to analyze the text to discern the tone of an excerpt An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as situational irony An ability to analyze the author’s craft and articulate the significance of sensory descriptions in the context of a specific excerpt An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to read closely to isolate a correct statement about the text. An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity and precision

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Queen Bee” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about the importance of protecting the vulnerable and the positive effects of performing good deeds for others. With this set of high-order questions, teachers will be able to extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills. While the close reading activity upholds academic rigor, the brevity of the narrative helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Explore how a particular passage contributes to character development Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony, foreshadowing, and assonance Articulate a relevant theme Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “The Bremen Town Musicians” by the Brothers Grimm. By completing this activity, high school students will demonstrate general plot recall and active engagement with fiction by answering rigorous questions. The narrative has an estimated Lexile measure of 900-1000, making it an appropriate addition to any short story unit at the high school level. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are 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. Questions pertain to the following: Identifying what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyzing the authors’ craft, paying special attention to diction and how it contributes to the complexity of the text Applying knowledge of literary devices to the text, identifying and explaining examples of simile and situational irony in the text Defining complex words in context, taking into consideration denotative definitions and connotative associations and using reference materials as needed Responding clearly, concisely, and accurately to analytical questioning

Support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this worksheet composed of challenging questions to complement “The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this resource helps teachers save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is included. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Apply knowledge of anaphora to the text Articulate how anaphora contributes to the narrator’s characterization Analyze the narrator’s statements to infer details about her husband Discern meaning in less familiar words and phrases, taking into consideration the context of the passage Analyze an excerpt to discern tone in context Analyze an excerpt to discern and articulate the narrator’s internal conflict Apply knowledge of simile to the text Articulate the significance of the narrator’s “grief howl” Analyze character statements and actions to discern and articulate character motivations Analyze the term “blessed dark” to discern and articulate what it conveys about the narrator’s mindset Cite and explain textual details that evoke a sense of sympathy within readers Revisit the text to identify details that foreshadow the major revelation near the story’s conclusion Analyze the author’s craft to explain how language contributes to the major revelation near the story’s conclusion Write with clarity and precision

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 “He.” With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1500-1600, this text and its corresponding active reading worksheet are appropriate additions to a high school short story unit, especially at the 12th grade level or in advanced literature classes. 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 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 relationships An ability to analyze context clues to identify and articulate author’s intent An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as situational irony and foreshadowing An ability to analyze cause-and-effect relationships 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 with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 4, 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. More specifically, students will be able to: Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity and precision Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea Discern the tone of a given excerpt Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, alliteration, sibilance, personification, foreshadowing, and paradox Articulate character motivations Compare two characters Articulate the significance of dialogue Analyze what dialogue reveals about a character’s psychological state Consider how the imagery of a willow tree is relevant to the content of Desdemona’s song Make logical inferences from the point of view of a particular character

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 5, scene 2, 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: Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity and precision Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea Articulate what Othello’s dialogue reflects about his psychological state Articulate how Othello rationalizes his decision to murder Desdemona Apply knowledge of literary devices including internal conflict, allusion, epiphany, assonance, and double denotation Articulate how Desdemona is different from a candle, according to Othello Analyze the text to discern how Othello demonstrates some degree of mercy on Desdemona Define complex words or phrases in context Verify interpretations using reference materials including a dictionary or thesaurus

Support the development of high school close reading skills with this assessment on the short story “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, applying knowledge of literary devices, citing relevant and compelling textual evidence to support claims, and more. Materials are delivered as Word Doc and PDF files. An answer key and copy of the public domain text (estimated Lexile measure of 980) are included. 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 engaging in this exercise, students will… Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision Explore character motivations and intentions Examine cause-and-effect relationships Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and metaphor Conduct brief research to discern and articulate autobiographical parallels between the author’s life and the narrative’s plot Analyze the greater significance of the oiler’s fate in comparison to that of the cook

Support the development of high school and college close reading skills with this assessment on the satirical short story “The Businessman” by Edgar Allan Poe. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, analyzing the author’s craft, citing relevant and compelling textual evidence to support claims, and more. The resource is delivered in Word Doc and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. 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 engaging in this exercise, students will… Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Explore cause-and-effect relationships Discern the primary function of a given excerpt Define complex words and phrases in context Analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave Analyze the author’s use of language and direct characterization Explore nuances in word meanings Make logical inferences about American culture in the context of a given passage Explore character motivations Articulate the situational irony present in a given excerpt Analyze the author’s decision to name his protagonist Peter Profitt Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims Write with clarity and precision

Support the development of high school and college close reading skills with this assessment on the modernist short story “The Wind Blows” by Katherine Mansfield. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, applying knowledge of literary devices, citing relevant and compelling textual evidence to support claims, and more. The resource is delivered in Word Doc and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. 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 engaging in this exercise, students will… Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Identify setting Analyze the symbolism of something seemingly ordinary Analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave Analyze the dynamic transformation of character(s) Explore cause-and-effect relationships Explore character motivations and intentions Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance, simile, and imagery Articulate the effect that repetition has on the reader’s understanding of character and plot Define complex words or phrases in context Analyze nuances in word meanings Conduct brief research on the author’s life and articulate several autobiographical parallels Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims Write with clarity and precision

Support the development of high school close reading skills with this assessment on the short story “The Legend of the Christmas Rose” by Selma Lagerlöf. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, applying knowledge of literary devices, citing relevant and compelling textual evidence to support claims, and more. The resource is delivered in Word Doc and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. By engaging in this exercise, students will… Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Identify setting Analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave Analyze the dynamic transformation of a character Articulate an internal conflict in context Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision Explore character motivations and intentions Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and symbolism Analyze the author’s craft to discern how the author conveys the immediacy and intensity of the forest’s transformation Conduct brief research to articulate historical parallels Explore cause-and-effect relationships Define complex words and phrases in context

Support the development of high school and college close reading skills with this assessment on the allegory titled “The Island of the Fay” by Edgar Allan Poe. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing the author’s craft, applying knowledge of literary devices, making logical inferences about author’s intent, citing relevant and compelling textual evidence to support claims, and more. The resource is delivered in Word Doc and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. 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 engaging in this exercise, students will… Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Analyze how the author uses figurative language and direct description to give the impression that Nature is a living force Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, metaphor, symbolism, and personification Compare and contrast two regions of the island Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how Poe evokes the concept of death in a given excerpt Define complex words and phrases in context Make logical inferences about the author’s mindset in the context of his allegory Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims Write with clarity and precision

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 1 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The sighting of the King of Denmark’s ghost Horatio’s forceful interaction with the ghost Character motivations Hamlet’s mourning over the loss of his father The reason for Hamlet’s anger toward his mother Laertes’ perspective on the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia Polonius’ condemnation of young men for their lack of decency A ghost’s revelation to Hamlet Horatio and Marcellus’ promise to Hamlet

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 2 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Reynaldo’s spying on Laertes The cause of Ophelia’s fright Polonius’ recommendation to Ophelia Ophelia’s rejection of Hamlet The arrival of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern The roles of Voltemand and Cornelius Claudius’ effect on Fortinbras Hamlet’s comparison of Denmark to a prison The interaction among Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern The effect of the actors on Hamlet Hamlet’s self-criticism Hamlet’s fear

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 3 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Polonius’ gift to Ophelia Claudius’ psychological state Hamlet’s suicidal thoughts Hamlet’s degrading criticisms and comments about Ophelia Hamlet’s confession to Ophelia A primary cause of Ophelia’s sorrow The interaction between Hamlet and Horatio The function of the play from Hamlet’s perspective Gertrude and Claudius’ reaction to the play Claudius’ decision with regard to the seemingly insane Hamlet Claudius’ internal conflicts Polonius’ sneakiness The appearance of the ghost Gertrude’s acknowledgement regarding her current husband

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 4 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The information Gertrude gives Claudius about Hamlet Hamlet’s refusal to identify the location of Polonius’ corpse Hamlet’s interaction with Guildenstern and Rosencrantz Hamlet’s reputation among the people of Denmark Claudius’ assessment of Hamlet’s psychological state Claudius’ plan to have Hamlet murdered The actions of the Norwegian army Fortinbras’ influence on Hamlet’s mindset Ophelia’s peculiar behavior The characterization of Laertes Horatio’s letter from Hamlet The tool Laertes will use to kill Hamlet The manner of Ophelia’s death