Measure general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering chapters one through nine of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. A firsthand account of the author’s experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War, this book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to incorporate more autobiographical nonfiction into their English and/or history classes. In addition to an answer key, an short answer quiz option is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Recent political changes in Sierra Leone Background details concerning key figures in the text Shared experiences among key figures in the text Major entities associated with conflict, such as the Revolutionary United Front Consequences of war And more

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 3, of Hamlet 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 Consider the greater significance of given details 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 with emphasis on dramatic irony, simile, and metaphor Determine the tone of a given passage Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help middle and high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and develop close reading analysis skills while they engage with The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin. This set of rigorous questions covers the prologue through chapter three (“The Lotus Eaters”). An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine the author’s phrasing in order to make logical inferences about character motivations Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact with one another Discern the nature of character relationships Select the best synonym for a given word as it is used in the text Apply knowledge of foreshadowing

Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 1 through 3 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to: Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity, logic, and precision Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Explore character motivations Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, and personification Articulate the author’s intended effect of figurative language Discern the primary function of chapters one through three Examine relationships between complex characters Articulate Victor Frankenstein’s epiphany in a given passage Analyze the importance of Victor’s epiphany Articulate cause-and-effect relationships Make logical inferences about character modes of thinking Analyze how a given paragraph contributes to character development

“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 worksheet composed of challenging, text-dependent questions, teachers will help students extend beyond general reading comprehension, exercise close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor 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 close reading activity, students will do the following: Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave Explore character motivations and intentions Apply knowledge of literary devices including irony and foreshadowing Analyze the author’s craft, determining how figurative language contributes to storytelling and character development Articulate point of view Make logical inferences about the psychological states of characters Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write ideas 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 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

For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Geraldine Moore the Poet” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a girl with unfavorable life circumstances who is on the verge of an important self-discovery: that she has a natural talent for expressing herself poetically. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English Language Arts teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, idiom, and ambiguity Articulate the function of a given detail Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Demonstrate awareness of the narrative’s inciting incident Articulate the symbolism associated with Geraldine’s being offered tomato soup Choose an opinion with which Geraldine is most likely to agree Evaluate the qualities that make Geraldine’s poem “the most poetic thing” Argue whether Geraldine or Mrs. Scott experiences the greatest epiphany Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is a satirical, cautionary short story about governmental efforts to enforce equality on all citizens. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the narrative’s point of view Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Define complex words as they are used in the text Use context clues to infer the author’s intent Explore cause-and-effect relationships Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, paradox, oxymoron, simile, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and dramatic irony Explore theme Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Measure and extend reading comprehension of the final third of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale (chapters 31-46). Included are two assessments for differentiation purposes, one subjective and one objective. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing Word Document and PDF versions. Questions pertain to the following important details: A network of believers, disenchanted with society Serena’s suggestion to the narrator Revelations about the baby Jezabelle’s The return of Moira The function of women in the colonies Nick’s garage home The savage act of Salvaging Particicution A character’s suicide Offred and the resolution

With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the second chapter of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. A short answer version is also provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Conditions of daily life in the valley The enormous advertisement overlooking the valley A character description of George Wilson A character description of Myrtle A trip to the Morningside Heights apartments Speculation concerning Gatsby’s background The behavior of the party-goers (and Nick’s reaction to it) Tom’s gift to Myrtle Myrtle’s behavior and why it unsettles Tom How Tom takes his anger out on Myrtle

With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the seventh chapter of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. A short answer version is also provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Gatsby’s rationale for ceasing the parties Gatsby’s concerns that information about Daisy will be revealed A luncheon at Tom and Daisy’s house A revelation concerning Myrtle Tom’s confrontation with Gatsby Gatsby’s assured reaction to Tom’s confrontational behavior A surprise shift in Daisy’s feelings The death of Myrtle (what happened, who’s responsible, etc.) Gatsby’s desire to protect Daisy from Tom

With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the fifth chapter of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. A short answer version is also provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Gatsby’s efforts to convince Nick to arrange a reunion Gatsby’s gratitude to Nick for agreeing Daisy’s humorous response to Nick’s request that Tom not join Examples of Gatsby’s self-conscious and nervous behavior Daisy’s being brought to tears Gatsby’s long nights outside staring at the green light Klipspringer A characterization of Gatsby’s mansion

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 24 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. 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. Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Apply knowledge of literary devices (situational irony and simile) to the text Discern the meaning of complex vocabulary and phrases in context, taking into consideration both denotative definitions and connotative associations Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Analyze Scout’s characterization to draw a logical inference in context Analyze a passage to discern its significance toward advancing the plot Isolate factual statements from false statements Analyze Grace Merriweather’s characterization to draw a logical inference in context Analyze a passage to discern its tone

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this rigorous worksheet covering the short story “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathaniel Hawthorne (estimated Lexile Measure range of 1300-1400). Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. By completing this activity, high school students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast characters Infer the intended effect of the author’s phrasing (“liquor of youth”) Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing and symbolism Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Articulate the significance of a given detail Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials Support claims and ideas with relevant evidence and valid reasoning Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 4 and 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: Discoveries in the knothole Jem’s fear for Scout’s life The irony of the discovery of money Dill’s claim of a peculiar talent The rolling tire incident The game the kids play Dill and Scout’s relationship The evolving relationship between Scout and Miss Maudie Theories pertaining to the mystery of Boo Radley Miss Maudie’s impressions of Boo Delivering a note to Boo Atticus’s trick

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 6 and 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: A contest between Jem and Dill The kids’ decision to sneak to the Radley residence Mr. Radley scaring the kids off How and why Jem lost his pants Dill’s excuse for Jem’s lost pants The lie Jem tells to Atticus What motivates Jem to leave home in the middle of the night Jem’s alarming discovery Items in the knothole Mr. Radley’s heartbreaking attempt to break Boo’s connection to the outside world

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 1, of Hamlet 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. By engaging with this resource, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the tone of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Analyze plot from a historical context Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing Identify context clues that suggest Horatio’s opinion on supernatural occurrences is correct Explore themes with emphasis on humanity’s relationship with the universe Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 2, of Hamlet 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 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 Discern tone in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 1, chapters 11 through 17). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting How the narrator survives the heat ray New threats facing the narrator General characterization of the narrator’s brother The reason news of the invasion has not spread farther The fixation of the minister How the narrator’s brother escapes the aliens Details concerning “Thunder Child” Ominous observations by the narrator’s brother

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 3 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: Cassio’s verbal exchange with Desdemona Iago encouraging Othello’s suspicions toward Desdemona Desdemona’s requests for Othello to forgive Cassio Othello’s insistence that Iago tell him everything he knows Iago’s underhanded behaviors and statements Othello’s statements on marital trust and jealousy The retrieval of Desdemona’s handkerchief Othello’s mounting suspicions Othello’s ultimatum to Iago Desdemona’s frustrations