Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe. The quiz may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate more active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The narrator’s appreciation of analytical power Where the narrator had visited General character details about Dupin The narrator and Dupin’s shared appreciation for literature The narrator’s general perception of Dupin A quick development in the friendship between Dupin and the narrator The narrator’s fondness for moodiness and isolation A peculiar quality Dupin seems to have The details of a newspaper article The identities of two homicide victims General character details about Le Bon Dupin’s conclusions regarding the homicide

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Raven,” which centers on themes of persistence and resilience. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the function of a given excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, hyperbole, pun, paradox, symbolism, and more Explore relevant themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fairy tale fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan. 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 editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting The protagonist’s perception of herself Frustrations the protagonist faces in life A Christmas gift The mother’s reaction to the Christmas gift Waverly’s internal and external conflicts How characters influence one another Qualities of the art of invisible strength The effects of success on the protagonist’s daily life

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” by Katherine Anne Porter, a piece of psychological fiction that complements high school units involving modernist literature and the narrative technique known as stream of consciousness. This resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The characterization of George Setting The joys and pleasures in life Granny Weatherall’s religious affiliation Granny Weatherall’s perspective on dying Granny Weatherall’s perspective on how women fulfill their lives The contents of a box in the attic Granny Weatherall’s message for George The purpose of Father Connolly’s visit Granny Weatherall’s eagerness to see someone The resolution

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Katherine Anne Porter’s short story “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall,” a piece of psychological fiction that complements literature units involving modernist literature and the narrative technique known as stream of consciousness. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable 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 completing this close reading activity, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the narrative’s point of view and setting Determine the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and symbolism Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on Life As We Knew It, a dystopian young adult novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer, with emphasis on chapters five through seven. A multiple choice assessment is provided, as well as a subjective version. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details: Miranda’s perspective on her mother’s increasing worry Ms. Nesbitt’s treat to the family Megan’s alarming charity Mom’s ironic response to fliers requesting help for the needy Peter’s health advice to the family Miranda’s stubborn response to health advice Dan’s backstory Miranda recalling a “perfect” day Miranda and Ms. Nesbitt’s discovery at the elementary school The reason Mom is outraged at Miranda Jonny’s dreams New natural disasters

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 2 of Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Katherine’s treatment of Bianca Bianca’s conformity to societal expectations of women The true identities of disguised people Katherine’s treatment of her supposed teachers Baptista’s feelings toward Petruchio Petruchio’s belief concerning how Katherine should behave The standard by which Baptista will select Bianca’s husband Baptista’s preference in terms of who should be Bianca’s husband Tranio’s intentions at the end of the Act

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 4 of Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: An accident involving a horse Petruchio’s reaction to the accident The reason for Petruchio’s frustration with his servants The techniques by which Petruchio will try to tame his wife Biondello’s willingness to participate in a charade Background information about the merchant Petruchio’s refusal to let Katherine do certain things Hortensio’s admiration of Petruchio Petruchio’s bizarre behavior

Help high school students explore how Gabriel Garcia Marquez used literary devices such as hyperbole, personification, simile, metaphor, and imagery to develop a compelling short story: “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions in which students evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims. An answer key is included.

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering Mark Twain’s tall tale “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” also known as “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” and “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Alternatively, this set of questions may serve as a guided reading document to foster active reading habits. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of: Setting The reason for the narrator’s frustration The speaking style of Simon Wheeler Characterization of Jim Smiley Characterization of Daniel Webster Characterization of Andrew Jackson Simon Wheeler’s compulsive gambling The reason Wheeler hands off his box to the stranger The stranger’s trickery The resolution

Help high school students explore how Mark Twain used literary devices like hyperbole, allusion, and simile to develop an exaggerated short story in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” also known as “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” and “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions in which students evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included.

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 4, 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 Discern the tone of dialogue in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including paradox and situational irony Isolate the best evidence in support of claims

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. 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 close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words/phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials Explore cause-and-effect relationships Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on hyperbole

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the Grimm’s fairy tale “The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle,” a narrative addressing the values of hard work and devotion. The brevity of the short story helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the activity upholds rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the text are included. Materials are delivered in 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 completing the close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace a given word Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern the intended effect of narrative techniques in context Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of several literary devices including alliteration, assonance, hyperbole, euphemism, oxymoron, hypophora, personification, paradox, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fairy tale fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Wives of the Dead,” a piece addressing themes of grief and illusion. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in 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. Students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the narrative’s point of view Describe tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast the protagonists Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, ambiguity, dramatic irony, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 4, scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. 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 completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine the function of a particular character in the context of the scene Discern the tone of a given excerpt Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, simile, oxymoron, and callback

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 4, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. 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 completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance, anaphora, onomatopoeia, and situational irony Articulate the external conflict between two characters Discern the tone of a given conversation Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, simile, oxymoron, and callback

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 4, scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. 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 completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, anaphora, and aposiopesis Express the function of a given excerpt Conduct brief research on the four humours and articulate the findings Analyze research findings to make a logical inference about Petruchio’s mindset Support claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 3, scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. 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 completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, oxymoron, hyperbole, and situational irony Discern the tone of a given excerpt Determine the function of a given excerpt Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. 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 completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the tone of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Consider how a particular excerpt advances the plot Examine the greater significance of a given detail Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion and consonance Support claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision