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 subversive inclinations from Book 1, chapter 8, 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 literary devices including personification and assonance 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 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 the Winston’s dreams from Book 1, 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 Discern the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and juxtaposition Activate background knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays in order to convey why Winston says his name as he wakes from his dream 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

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 acceptance of fate from Book 2, chapter 6, 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 Describe tone in context Determine the most relevant motif in the passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and euphemism 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 encounter with Julia from Book 3, chapter 6, 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 Apply knowledge of literary devices and sound devices including simile, assonance, and euphemism Explain how a given detail is a symbol for the effects of authoritarianism on the populace 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

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 2 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are provided. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Select the most appropriate synonym for a word in the text Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques with emphasis on why the author utilizes repetition in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on personification, verbal irony, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing, a narrative about a boy who rises above his limitations to accomplish a goal. The resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following The worries of Jerry’s mom Setting A family tragedy Jerry’s desire to fit in with the boys The cause of Jerry’s shame Jerry’s motivations Jerry’s state of mind Jerry’s injury The resolution

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and sharpen their critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Doris Lessing’s coming-of-age short story “Through the Tunnel,” a narrative about a boy who rises above his limitations to achieve a goal. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and 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: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the function of a given paragraph Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and oxymoron Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 1, of Twelfth Night 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. With this close reading activity, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of punctuation in context Discern tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The plot-based assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The end of the war with the Turks Iago’s emphasis on Cassio’s friendliness toward Desdemona Cassio’s weakness Iago’s taking advantage of Cassio’s weakness The consequences of Cassio’s actions Othello’s ironic perspective on Iago’s character Cassio seeking advice from one he considers his closest friend Iago’s next manipulative move involving Desdemona

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 1, of Hamlet by William Shakespeare and emphasizing the protagonist’s internal conflict as expressed in his famous soliloquy: “To be, or not to be?” 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 Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor Determine the function of a given excerpt Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, 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 1, scene 1, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. 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: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Make logical inferences in context Explore character motivations Discern the tone of a given excerpt Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Explore theme Write with clarity and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 3, scene 1, this resource may serve as the basis for 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Make logical inferences in context Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters interact Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Discern the tone of a given excerpt Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision

Promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension with this quiz covering Act 1 of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Olivia’s rejection of Orsino’s romantic advances The impact of music on Orsino Olivia’s 7-year mourning period and Orsino’s reaction to it Viola’s shipwreck The unknown fate of Sebastian Characterization of Sir Toby Belch Characterization of Sir Andrew Aguecheek Cesario’s assigned task Tension between Maria and Feste Feste’s implication (criticism of Olivia’s attitude) Malvolio’s arrogance Olivia’s apparent romantic interest in Cesario Olivia’s plan to reacquaint with Cesario

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 5, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Discern the tone of a given excerpt Explore nuances in words with similar meanings Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on metaphor Defend claims with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

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 rigorous worksheet on “The Terrible Old Man” helps English teachers 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 Determine the story’s point of view Discern the overall tone of the narrative Analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about characterization/character motivations Define complex vocabulary as it is used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony Draw parallels between the author’s life and the plot of “The Terrible Old Man” Identify relevant textual details in support of claims and ideas Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 1 through 3 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Victor’s childhood upbringing The adoption of Elizabeth The reason Victor’s parents give up their wandering ways Henry Clerval’s role in Victor’s life Victor’s interest in science Caroline’s dying wish Victor’s pursuit of an education The nature of Krempe’s interaction with Victor Waldman’s role in Victor’s life

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions covering chapter six of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Make logical inferences about Gatsby’s decision making Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, situational irony, hyperbole, euphemism, allusion, and personification Analyze the author’s craft to determine the intended meaning of a lesser known phrase Analyze what character dialogue reveals about their psychological and emotional states Determine the significance of a given detail Explore dynamic character Identify a main function of the chapter

Incorporate autobiographical nonfiction into the English Language Arts classroom and measure general reading comprehension with this editable quiz on “Straw into Gold: The Metamorphosis of the Everyday” by Sandra Cisneros. This autobiographical essay addresses the variables that shaped Cisneros into the writer she became and emphasizes the inspirational message that seemingly impossible things are possible with a little imagination. 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: The nature of a misunderstanding The author’s self-image The author’s educational experiences The dynamics of the author’s family The breaking of a “terrible taboo” Traits the author inherited from each of her parents How the author’s mother influenced her writing The author’s hometown The reasons the author disliked school as a child A major life event in 1966 Theme