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 promote homework accountability with this editable quiz on chapter 12 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Ralph’s encounter with the pig’s head
The identities of the armed guards
Information the armed guards provide to Ralph
Jack’s methods of trying to capture Ralph
Ralph’s near-death experiences
The reason a naval officer is attracted to the island
Percival’s loss of identity
Claims of leadership
Ralph’s emotional state to conclude the novel
The naval officer’s reaction to Ralph’s behavior
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this bundle of editable quizzes covering each chapter of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking these assessments, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
A general description of Ralph
The reason for the boys’ presence on the island
A general description of Piggy
Ralph’s reaction to his surroundings
The significance of a conch shell
A general description of Jack
The election of a leader
The reason for the nature of Jack’s interactions with Piggy
Ralph’s insensitivity toward Piggy
A disruption to the festive atmosphere while exploring the island
Ralph’s emphasis on the boys’ need to maintain patience and calm
Ralph’s recommendation that rules be established
Jack’s reaction to the idea of establishing and enforcing rules
A new purpose of the conch shell
Reasons for Piggy’s frustration with the boys
An unsettling claim by a young boy
Ralph’s recommendation that the boys signal for help on the mountain
The tool that is used and inadvertently causes a raging fire
The boys’ general reaction to the devastating event
Jack’s developing talent
Ralph’s commitment to manual labor
Simon’s general selflessness in comparison to his peers
Piggy’s perception of manual labor
Ralph’s complaint to Jack about others’ behavior
Ralph’s suggestion to Jack regarding new work
What Jack and Ralph decide to do despite their resentments
Jack’s increasing paranoia
Simon’s motive for wandering off
The effect of the harsh midday light on the boys
The effect of the extreme night darkness on the boys
The effect of the jungle fruit on the little 'uns
Jack and his fellow hunters’ treatment of the little 'uns
How Jack and his fellow hunters show they are becoming more savage
Piggy’s desire to make a sundial
A sudden observation while at the beach
Why the signal fire was extinguished
Jack’s response to Piggy’s criticism
Jack’s desire to exercise power over Piggy
Simon’s selfless deed
Ralph’s decision at the end of the chapter
The purpose of the meeting
Jack’s treatment of the little 'uns
The general reception to Jack’s speech
Phil’s dreams
Simon’s admission
The general reception to Simon’s dialogue
Ralph’s suggestion of a vote
Piggy’s suggestion to Ralph after the boys break away from the meeting
Ralph’s feelings toward the idea of resigning from leadership
Piggy’s desires
Percival’s nightmare
A disturbance of the peace
The characters assigned to watch the signal fire
An fear-inducing incident
Allegations involving the beast
The reason for Ralph’s apprehension
Piggy’s responsibility
Ralph’s investigation of the cave
The reason for Ralph’s anger toward the boys
How the boys have fun
Ralph’s nostalgia
Simon’s reassuring nature
Ralph’s reaction to Simon’s reassurance
The nature of Jack’s injury
The effect hunting has on Ralph
The result of the hunt
Robert’s near-death experience
Jack’s lack of compassion
How Ralph endangers his own life
Simon’s volunteerism
An exploration of the mountain
Jack’s calling of an assembly
Information Jack shares with the group
Opposition to Jack’s ideas
Simon’s suggestion to seek the beast
Piggy’s suggestion to improve their odds of rescue
Ralph’s reaction to Piggy’s suggestion
Boys’ abandonment of Ralph’s faction
Piggy’s reaction to the boys’ abandonment of Ralph’s faction
The savage behavior of Jack’s faction
Jack’s invitation
Simon’s peculiar encounter in the jungle
Simon’s disturbing experience
Ralph and Piggy’s socialization
Piggy’s suggestion to join Jack’s faction
How Piggy is injured
How Ralph and Piggy express disobedience
Ralph’s curiosity about the hunters’ lack of storm preparations
Participants in the ritualistic dance
Simon’s warnings
The reaction to Simon’s sudden appearance
The fate of the pilot’s corpse
Piggy’s explanation of Simon’s death
Ralph’s sense of personal accountability
Jack’s explanation for the physical appearance of the beast
Roger’s status within Jack’s tribe
The conflicted feelings of several of Jack’s followers
Jack’s warnings to his followers
Jack’s plan to steal fire
Sam and Eric’s emotional and psychological state
The fate of Piggy’s eyeglasses
Decisions made at an assembly
The purpose of the conch from Jack’s perspective
A dangerous discovery at Castle Rock
Ralph’s demands of Jack
Ralph’s accusations
The reason for Jack’s assault of Ralph
The nature of Piggy’s death
The identity of Piggy’s killer
Ralph’s escape
The treatment of the twins
Ralph’s encounter with the pig’s head
The identities of the armed guards
Information the armed guards provide to Ralph
Jack’s methods of trying to capture Ralph
Ralph’s near-death experiences
The reason a naval officer is attracted to the island
Percival’s loss of identity
Claims of leadership
Ralph’s emotional state to conclude the novel
The naval officer’s reaction to Ralph’s behavior
Save time without sacrificing rigor with this collection of challenging close reading analysis worksheets for teaching William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Each worksheet covers a single chapter for a total of 12 resources. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with these materials, students will do the following:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, slang, invective, simile, zoomorphism metaphor, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and more
Analyze the author’s craft to articulate the intended effect of language and imagery
Infer what is foreshadowed by a given detail using reasoned thinking
Determine the most appropriate synonym for a given word in context
Contrast Simon with his peers in the context of a given passage
Conduct brief research on the mythological figure Triton and compare him to Ralph
Identify relevant textual evidence in support of claims regarding Jack’s defiant nature and Piggy’s leadership potential
Analyze the author’s craft to better understand how Jack is becoming more savage
Analyze Ralph’s behavior in a given passage to infer what it reveals about his psychological state
Identify textual evidence that reinforces the idea of being disconnected from modern society
Articulate the internal conflict Simon experiences
Contrast Jack’s behavior toward Ralph versus Piggy and evaluate what it indicates about Jack’s mindset
Identify specific textual details from this chapter that reinforce the claim that Simon is compassionate and thoughtful
Articulate the potential error in Ralph’s judgment in terms of the assembly’s timing
Identify the qualities that make Jack successful in garnering larger scale support
Infer the author’s social commentary associated with Jack’s manner of leadership
Analyze how Ralph becomes a dynamic character and connect Ralph’s transformation to the author’s theme on human nature
Analyze the author’s craft to identify the technique used to maximize shock value
Isolate a passage that reflects the conflict between primal impulses and the conditioning of civil society
Conduct brief research on the Greek myth of Prometheus and draw literary parallels between it and Lord of the Flies
Identify several chapter details that contribute to Piggy and Ralph’s loss of discipline
Explain how a given passage honors and dignifies the character of Simon after his death
Articulate the purpose of Wilfred’s brutal punishment in terms of plot development
Conduct brief research on the author and identify examples of autobiographical parallel
Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how the incorporation of frequent em-dashes contributes to storytelling
Write with clarity and precision
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Who Am I This Time?” by Kurt Vonnegut. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The North Crawford Mask and Wig Club
The avoidance of social gatherings
The narrator’s wish for Harry Nash
The narrator’s invitation to an auditioning woman
The town’s reaction to Harry’s acting
The narrator’s first impression of Helene’s acting
Efforts to improve Helene’s acting
Helene’s fantasy when viewing movies in the past
Helene’s difficulty in establishing relationships
Lydia’s impressions on who will direct
Lydia’s prediction for Helene
A gift from Harry
“The luckiest girl in town”
Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the satirical science fiction short story titled “Lose Now, Pay Later” by Carol Farley. A short answer option is also included, as are answer keys. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
The narrator’s assessment of her brother
The name of a deliciously sweet treat
The protagonist’s initial reaction to the discovery of a new mall business
The message conveyed on the store’s largest sign
The mall directors’ feelings toward the new establishment
The name of a new feature in the mall parking lot
The function of a new feature in the mall parking lot
How the power of the new feature is regulated
The protagonist’s emotional reaction prior to using the new feature
Trinja’s immediate reaction to witnessing the new feature in action
The physical effects of the new feature
The general characterization of the woman who operates the new feature
The brother’s theory about the machines
For many high school readers, fairy tales and fantasy fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Buckwheat” by Hans Christian Andersen is a cautionary tale about a young buckwheat whose pride becomes his tragic downfall. With this editable quiz on “The Buckwheat,” English teachers will promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The narrator’s stated purpose for the narrative
The description of a willow tree
The personality trait associated with the buckwheat
The buckwheat’s treatment of the willow tree
How the buckwheat exhibits defiance
The antagonist of the narrative
The willow tree’s reaction to the buckwheat’s fate
The sparrow’s compassionate nature
For many high school students, supernatural fiction is a genre that maximizes engagement with literature. “The Moon Bog” by H.P. Lovecraft features strange beings, mind manipulations, and even implied social criticism of humanity’s greed and treatment of the environment. This multiple choice quiz on “The Moon Bog” 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. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The purpose of the narrator’s visit
Denys Barry’s intentions for the bog
Denys Barry’s disregard for the supernatural
The legend of the bog
Eerie happenings
The locals’ collective reaction to Denys Barry’s decisions
The narrator’s dreams
The narrator’s observations of the bog
The fate of Denys Barry
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “The Godfather,” a short story by the Brothers Grimm. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The cause of the poor man’s poverty
The reason the protagonist approaches a stranger
The stranger’s gift to the protagonist
The protagonist’s new ability
The appearance of a particular mythical figure
The reason the protagonist decides to visit the stranger
Strange encounters at the stranger’s residence
Physical traits of the stranger
The nature of the conversation between the protagonist and the stranger
The resolution
For many high school students, the horror genre promotes more active engagement with literature. “The Terrible Old Man” by H.P. Lovecraft is a concise horror story featuring plot elements such as robbery, a character who dabbles in the occult, and mutilated corpses—making the narrative a particularly compelling read during the Halloween season. This multiple choice quiz on “The Terrible Old Man” 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
Rumors circulating about the Terrible Old Man
Details that suggest something sinister about the Terrible Old Man
What curious people see when they look into the Terrible Old Man’s window
A peculiar habit of the Terrible Old Man
The means by which three men in the story make their living
An alarming physical characteristic of the Terrible Old Man
A disturbing discovery
An implied hobby of the Terrible Old Man
The background of the Terrible Old Man
For many high school readers, age-appropriate fantasy and fairy tale fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. With this multiple choice, plot-based assessment on “Hansel and Gretel” by the Brothers Grimm, English teachers will promote homework accountability, measure general reading comprehension, and save valuable time without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements:
The problem facing Hansel and Gretel’s family
The stepmother’s solution to the family’s problem
Hansel’s strategic thinking and resourcefulness
A key instance of dramatic irony
Hansel and Gretel’s encounter with the white bird
The discovery of an old witch’s house
A supernatural quality associated with witches
Gretel’s duty according to the old witch
Gretel’s strategic thinking
The resolution
For many high school readers, age-appropriate fantasy and fairy tale fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. With this multiple choice, plot-based assessment on “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen, English teachers will promote homework accountability, measure general reading comprehension, and save valuable time without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements:
An object cherished by the little mermaid
The significance of the little mermaid’s fifteenth birthday
The reason a mermaid’s sadness is more intense than a human’s
The function of the oysters worn by the little mermaid
The cause of the little mermaid’s frustration
The little mermaid’s longing to experience life as a human
The means by which the little mermaid could obtain an immortal soul
The sea-witch’s residence
The transaction between the sea-witch and the little mermaid
The little mermaid’s emotional reaction to seeing her sisters
The reason for the prince’s visit to a nearby kingdom
A physical change in the little mermaid’s sisters
The transaction between the little mermaid’s sisters and the sea-witch
The resolution
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for measuring general reading comprehension. This multiple choice quiz covers “Rapunzel” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1010-1200, the short story is especially suitable for middle and high school students. The briefness of the narrative also makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Why the setting is dangerous
The wife’s desires in the exposition
The characterization of the husband
The bargain between the husband and the antagonist
Life events involving Rapunzel
Rapunzel’s talents
The means by which a prince visits Rapunzel
Rapunzel’s request of the prince
The antagonist’s punishment of Rapunzel
The prince’s physical condition following an encounter with the enchantress
How Rapunzel cures the prince
“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin is an example of historical fiction that, when integrated into the English Language Arts classroom, complements American History curricula, as the plot precedes the Civil War and addresses the issue of how race and ethnicity affect one’s life experiences in the South. With this multiple choice quiz covering the short story, teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable 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. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
How Désirée came to be part of the Valmonde family
Armand’s initial attitude toward marrying Désirée
Madame Valmonde’s reaction to the sight of the baby
How Armand’s treatment of others changes after the birth of his child
Désirée’s observations of the plantation visitors
Désirée’s demands of her husband
Madame Valmonde’s response to a letter from Désirée
The final interaction between Armand and Désirée
Désirée’s final action in the story
The fate of Désirée’s belongings
Armand’s surprising discovery
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “A Haunted House,” a short story by Virginia Woolf. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
Signs of a supernatural presence
The nature of the ghosts’ discussions
The background of the ghostly couple
How the ghostly husband (when alive) reacted to his wife’s death
The ghosts’ courteous demeanor
The living couple’s new understanding of the ghosts’ purpose
The personification of the house
The effect of the moonlight
An appropriate classification of the narrative
Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use fairy tales as tools for evaluating reading comprehension skills. “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen is a story of resilience, offering an uplifting resolution. English Language Arts teachers may administer this editable assessment to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The reason for the mother duck’s impatience
The absence of the ducklings’ father
A suggested reason for one egg’s lack of hatching
Lessons the mother duck teachers her babies
The mother duck’s internal conflict
The treatment of the ugly duckling
The ugly duckling’s interactions with wild ducks
Threats that soon face the ugly duckling upon running away
How the duckling’s appearance may have saved its life
The reason the ugly duckling enters an old cottage
The inhabitants of the cottage
The treatment of the ugly duckling by the cottage’s residents
An awe-inspiring sight
How the ugly duckling survives the cold winter
A request the ugly duckling makes of the swans
The resolution
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 is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Additionally, a self-grading Easel Assessment is included. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The prince’s name
The number of people he has isolated at the abbey
Forms of entertainment provided
The prince’s intentions
The collective attitude toward fear and grief
The length of time from isolation to the announcement of a ball
The prince’s declaration regarding party attire
The prince’s reaction to the Red Death costume
The time of the Red Death’s arrival
A weapon the prince intends to use for defense
An unsettling discovery about the suspicious figure
Promote active engagement with ironic fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the short story “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry. 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:
Point of view
The location where a promise was made twenty years previously
How the location has changed in the present day
The ambiguity surrounding Bob’s wealth
How Bob views his relationship with Jimmy
Aspects of Bob’s physical appearance
Aspects of Jimmy’s physical appearance
The actions of the Chicago police department
Details pertaining to the arrest of Bob
The content of Jimmy’s letter
Gothic fantasy and horror are genres that maximize many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Cats of Ulthar” by H.P. Lovecraft is a macabre short story featuring savage neighbors, an avenging curse, and flesh-eating felines—making it an especially chilling choice for the Halloween season. This multiple choice quiz on “The Cats of Ulthar” 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:
The narrator’s perception of cats
The longtime existence of cats
The old couple’s terrible reputation
The community’s general disposition toward the couple
The paintings on the travelers’ caravan
The characterization of Menes
The sudden disappearance of the cats
A change in the cats’ physical appearance upon their return
The fate of the old couple
Peculiar discoveries inside the old couple’s house
A change in the law
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “A Mild Attack of Locusts,” a short story by Doris Lessing. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Richard’s relation to Margaret
Stephen’s relation to Margaret
Margaret’s personal background
Socioeconomics
The frequency with which locusts appear
Methods used to combat the locusts
The threat posed by female locusts
Margaret’s concern for Stephen
An act of Stephen’s that temporarily lifts Margaret’s spirits
Margaret’s imagination
Topics of discussion between Richard and Stephen
Stephen’s past experiences with locust swarms
Margaret’s self-perception
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Old Woman Magoun,” a short story by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
The social significance of the grocery store
Magoun’s reputation
The construction of a bridge
Lily’s relation to Magoun
Lily’s general characterization
Sally Jinks’ suggestion
The purpose of Barry’s visit to Magoun
Barry’s feelings toward Magoun
Mason’s profession
A request Magoun makes of Mason
The cause of Lily’s illness
Magoun’s intentional inaction
Magoun’s attempts to comfort her dying granddaughter
The significance of an object