Quickly and conveniently measure general reading comprehension of Ray Bradbury’s science fiction short story “There Will Come Soft Rains” with this set of two quizzes: one multiple choice, the other constructed response. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following key details: Unique characteristics of the house (personification) The futuristic setting The function of the robotic animals The backstory Silhouettes on the building A frail, dirty dog The subject matter of the poem “There Will Come Soft Rains” A devastating fire The house’s attempts at self-preservation

Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading Farley Mowat’s nonfiction book Never Cry Wolf with this set of printable assessments on chapters 17 through 24. In addition to a multiple choice quiz, a constructed response version is provided, which may double as a guided reading worksheet to encourage active engagement with the text. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. Questions pertain to the following details. Angeline’s surprising ability Angeline’s family Census of the wolf population Population control The Churchill incident Why Inuit women thought Mowat was crazy The purpose behind the wolves’ test of the caribou A repulsive discovery concerning the caribou Growth of the pups A study involving a gas mask A mass death The final professional obligation

Conclude a unit on To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee with this printable summative test. An answer key is included. All materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate an ability to: Correctly identify characters based on a given description or detail Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, personification, allusion, internal conflict, dynamic character, hyperbole, and more Identify the speaker and articulate the greater significance of a given quotation Write a brief essay in which students defend a claim with relevant textual evidence and adhere to the standard conventions of written English

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

Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the science fiction short story “The Fog Horn” by Ray Bradbury. 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 Setting McDunn’s thoughts on the ocean A strange incident involving a million fish The sound of the fog horn The characters’ nickname for the ocean The narrator’s thoughts on the sea creature McDunn’s theory about the sea creature An experiment involving the fog horn The sea creature’s reaction to the experiment The narrator’s life one year later The lesson McDunn thinks the sea creature learned The narrator’s feelings toward the sea creature

This file contains two Word documents. The first is a 13-question, multiple-choice quiz designed to measure plot recall. The second is the corresponding answer key. Questions pertain to the following details: • 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"

Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time with this printable quiz on “Dark They Were and Golden Eyed” by Ray Bradbury. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The setting of the narrative The story’s inciting incident Mr. Bittering’s nighttime experiences The general characterization of Mr. Bittering Bizarre discoveries on Mars Mr. Bittering’s fear-fueled beliefs Mr. Bittering’s work in the metal shop Simpson’s role Dynamic character traits Mr. Bittering’s thoughts as he swims The resolution

Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the short story “Geraldine Moore the Poet” by Toni Cade Bambara. 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: Mr. Watson’s dog Geraldine’s lunchtime habits The eviction Geraldine’s mother The reason for Anita’s return home Geraldine’s personal and emotional struggles during classes Geraldine’s response to her English teacher’s assignment Mrs. Scott’s reaction to Geraldine A surprising realization

This file contains two Word documents: a unit test and corresponding key. The test is 47-questions in total. The format varies and features several multiple choice, true/false, matching, and essay questions. The test assesses the following: - Understanding of the various functions of the media, including the political function, the economic function, the sentry function, the record-keeping function, the entertainment function, the social function, the marketplace function, and the agenda-setting function. - Understanding of journalistic credibility and concepts such as the journalistic code of ethics, the First Amendment, and the American perception that the media has become increasingly dishonest and unfair. - Understanding of key terminology pertaining to journalistic integrity. These terms include libel, slander, defamation, ethics, credibility, objectivity, attribution, plagiarism, sensationalism, right of reply, fairness to all, fair comment, prior restraint, privilege, in loco parentis, news judgment, and synergy. - Understanding of the elements of news, including timeliness, proximity, prominence, consequence, human interest, conflict, and more. - Understanding of the brainstorming process. - Understanding of key court cases whose impact on journalism is noteworthy, including the Tinker Case and the Hazelwood Case.

Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of horror and supernatural fiction, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs, and use this multiple choice assessment to promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the public domain short story. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Weather conditions Interactions among family members The visitor’s background Herbert’s initial reaction to the object Strange observations in a dying fire The effects of a strange object The reason Mr. White is reluctant to make subsequent wishes Ominous sounds Conflicting motivations of characters The resolution

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of high-order analysis questions on Virginia Woolf’s short story “A Haunted House.” The narrative makes a fitting inclusion to a Halloween-themed short story unit at the high school level. A detailed answer key and a copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyze the author’s narrative technique to discern how she emphasizes multiple presences in the house Infer why the author incorporates references to second-person you Discern the significance of active present participles in the text Analyze the effect of sibilant phrases on the reader Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text, with emphasis placed on personification, anaphora, and symbolism Discern and articulate the significance of the window Analyze a passage in the text to discern the author’s intent as it relates to characterization Analyze character actions and dialogue to discern their primary intent Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Hans Christian Andersen used descriptive language, characterization, figurative language, and other literary devices to establish a fairy tale atmosphere and empathetic protagonist in “The Little Mermaid.” This resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

Save time without sacrificing rigor in the high school Creative Writing classroom with this Common Core-aligned unit plan and these comprehensive materials for engaging students fully in the narrative writing process. Included are the following: A detailed, standards-based unit plan articulating the unit’s transfer goal(s), essential question(s), enduring understanding(s), learning target(s), academic vocabulary, formative assessment(s), summative performance task(s), and learning plan(s). A PowerPoint presentation addressing the conventions of the fantasy genre. Representative fantasy narratives. Worksheets to facilitate analysis of representative literature. Detailed project directions. A comprehensive outline for student planning. A document to facilitate the editing process. A comprehensive rubric for evaluating student writing. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following: Develop greater understanding of the conventions of the fantasy genre. Analyze how John Collier used figurative language (simile, metaphor, and euphemism), characterization, direct description, and foreshadowing to generate a compelling fantasy narrative in “The Chaser.” Analyze how Ursula K. Le Guin used characterization and grammatically improper language to develop an anthropomorphized protagonist in “The Wife’s Story.” Organize initial ideas in a coherent manner. Engage the reader with a compelling exposition that establishes setting, characters, and conflicts Use many appropriate narrative techniques (dialogue, dialect, description, pacing, etc.) to enhance a plot that is consistent with the fantasy genre Draft a coherent, cohesive, and appropriate narrative that builds toward a particular tone and outcome (a sense of mystery, suspense, etc.) Use precise words and phrases, active verbs, and sensory language to convey a compelling story Draft a reasonable and unrushed conclusion that resolves conflicts and conveys a theme Show mastery of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

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 Hamlet. With a focus on Act 4, scene 5, 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Discern what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Determine the function of a given passage Analyze character statements and behaviors to draw logical inferences about character development and motivations Discern the tone of a given passage Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text Analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context to determine meaning and intended effect Locate textual evidence in support of claims Compare and contrast Hamlet and Ophelia Compare and contrast Hamlet and Laertes Articulate ideas with clarity 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 Hamlet. With a focus on Act 4, scene 6, 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. More specifically, students will do the following: Discern what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Analyze character statements and behaviors to draw logical inferences about character development and motivations Analyze how characters interact Determine the primary purpose of Hamlet’s letter to Horatio Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text Analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context to determine meaning and intended effect

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Richard Connell used descriptive language, direct and indirect characterization, and figurative language to generate a distinct protagonist and compelling piece of adventure fiction in “The Most Dangerous Game.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included.

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices zoomorphism and metaphor Discern the tone of a given passage in context Discern the significance of the boys’ allusions to adventure fiction Discern the significance of the group’s not bringing the conch shell to the mountain Analyze a character’s behavior to infer what is revealed about his mindset Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how Golding achieves a particular effect Identify relevant textual evidence in support of claims regarding Jack’s defiant nature and Piggy’s leadership potential Write with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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. By engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Analyze the author’s craft to identify language and details that contribute to Percival’s distinct characterization Isolate a falsehood from among several true statements Discern the function of a given passage Apply knowledge of various literary devices (neologism and onomatopoeia) 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 Write with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 7 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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. By engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices (metaphor and personification) Determine the function of a given passage Analyze the author’s craft to articulate what literary technique is applied and what purpose it serves Determine the function of the entire chapter Analyze how Ralph becomes a dynamic character and connect Ralph’s transformation to the author’s theme on human nature Write with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 9 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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. By engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Define complex words and phrases in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices (metaphor, personification, and oxymoron) Articulate how details associated with heat contribute to the development of both plot and character Analyze the author’s language to determine what it implies about a given character Identify several chapter details that contribute to Jack’s deified characterization 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 Write with clarity and precision