Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of two quizzes covering Book 1, chapters 2 and 3, of George Orwell’s 1984. A multiple choice quiz and short answer option are included. Use one for post-reading comprehension checks, and use the other as a guided reading worksheet or re-assessment opportunity. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Winston’s fear of the Thought Police The Junior Spies and their job Public executions of the Party’s dissidents Winston’s dream involving O’Brien’s voice Winston’s dream involving his mother A government purge Physical jerks Why it is so difficult to recall one’s childhood Oceania’s enemy country Communication via the telescreen

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 Two Minutes Hate from Book 1, chapter 1, 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: Determine and analyze the development of key ideas and themes, including the effects of mob mentality Analyze how the author’s word choices add to the text’s complexity Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply and articulate knowledge of literary devices and techniques including consonance, simile, and situational irony Activate background knowledge on Nazi Germany’s treatment of the Jews and articulating historical parallels to the Two Minutes Hate Write about literature with accuracy, clarity, and precision

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 1 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 Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques with emphasis on how setting influences mood Determine the function of a given paragraph Consider the greater significance of given details Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on foreshadowing and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

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

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 6 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 Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore mood in relation to a given excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast two characters (Mina and Swales) Come to class better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 18 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 Indicate the function of the chapter Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on ambiguity Come to class better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering chapter 7 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. With this close reading activity, students will be able to: 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 Articulate the significance of a given detail Describe the tone of a given remark Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop 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 learners go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering letters 1 through 4 of Mary Shelley’s science fiction novel Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. An answer key and copy of the relevant chapters are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, assonance, situational irony, and hyperbole Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help learners go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapters 10, 11, and 12 of Mary Shelley’s science fiction novel Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. An answer key and copy of the relevant chapters are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given paragraph Contrast elements of chapter 11 with elements of chapter 10 Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and allusion Explore themes in context with emphasis on “the barbarity of man” Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The nature and variety of question types also facilitate preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Isolate a passage that reflects the conflict between primal impulses and the conditioning of civil society Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including simile, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and more Conduct brief research on the Greek myth of Prometheus and draw literary parallels between it and Lord of the Flies Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the ironic short story “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry. 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 activity, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, metaphor, personification, dramatic irony, and situational irony Compare and contrast characters Analyze the author’s diction to understand its intended effect Analyze the author’s stylistic choices such as the decision to capitalize “Art” and “Literature” Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision

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 marriage from Book 1, 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 Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on paradox 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

Evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering chapter two of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The animal who was absent from Old Major’s speech The fate of Old Major The significance of Napoleon and Snowball The Commandments of Animalism Moses’ statements on what happens after an animal dies Why Moses is disliked by the other animals Mollie’s conflict The most loyal disciples of Animalism The cause of Mr. Jones’ worsening emotional state Details about the Revolution The passing of a resolution Snowball’s instructions to the animals at the end of the chapter

Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 3 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the function of a given passage Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Determine which character is likeliest to challenge leadership and take interest in the world outside of Animal Farm Articulate why the pigs in particular would favor the incorporation of slogans and mottos into Animal Farm’s culture Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

For many high school readers, horror and psychological fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier features elements consistent with both genres: an isolated setting, killings without clear motivations, the suggestion of humanity’s imminent extinction, and more. 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 Analyze the author’s choice of title in order to articulate its intended effect on readers Examine how elements of setting contribute to the development of suspense Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Determine the functions of characters Infer character motivations Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, amplification, onomatopoeia, simile, epiphany, foreshadowing, and more Conduct online research to answer a question about historical context Paraphrase the author’s words (“You had to endure something yourself before it touched you”) Examine what a given passage implies about humanity’s relationship with Nature Identify narrative techniques used in a given passage to convey an unsettling mood Articulate the irony associated with imagery in a given passage Explore relevant themes Discern the significance of the protagonist’s final actions Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, onomatopoeia, allusion, personification, symbolism, invective, and more Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare the characters of Antonio and Shylock Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, personification, and more Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. 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 Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Explore cause-and-effect relationships Define complex words as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, pun, and personification Analyze sentence structures with emphasis on the use of an appositive phrase Analyze the author’s stylistic choice to capitalize common noun phrases 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

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