"The Burglar's Christmas" by Willa Cather Quiz, Close Reading, and Vocab Games

Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the short story “The Burglar’s Christmas” by Willa Cather. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.

By engaging with these materials, students will:

• Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
• Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
• Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
• Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
• Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
• Determine the function of a given excerpt
• Describe tone in context
• Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
• Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, epiphany, foreshadowing, internal conflict, metaphor, paradox, personification, simile, and situational irony
• Argue whether the author wants the audience to empathize with the protagonist
• Consider themes in context
• Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
• Write about coming-of-age fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
• Come to class better prepared to discuss literature