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 short story “After Twenty Years” 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: Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Articulate the significance of a given detail Discern the tone of a given excerpt Discern the function of a given paragraph Apply knowledge of foreshadowing Explore character motivations Demonstrate knowledge of characterization Analyze the effect point of view has on the reader Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims Write with clarity and precision

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on the three types of verbals: gerunds, participles, and infinitives. Delivered in printable Word Document format, as well as in PDF format, this resource conveniently offers the option to edit. An answer key is provided.

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Edgar Allan Poe used descriptive language, characterization, setting, connotation, and various literary devices in “The Black Cat” to establish an eerie mood that is consistent with the horror and supernatural fiction genres. 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.

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how the Brothers Grimm used descriptive language, characterization, exaggeration, and various literary devices to establish a mood in “Cinderella” that is consistent with the conventions of fairy tale writing. 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.

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Ray Bradbury used descriptive language, characterization, setting, and various literary devices to establish an eerie mood in “The Fog Horn” that is consistent with the supernatural fiction and science fiction genres. Delivered in printable 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 is included.

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions covering chapter two of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze character motivations Apply knowledge of various literary devices including alliteration, assonance, and simile Discern and articulate the greater significance of a given detail with emphasis on what is revealed about character modes of thinking Analyze how complex characters interact Make logical inferences about how Tom perceives Myrtle Demonstrate awareness of how social status influences behavior Compare Myrtle to the puppy she is gifted Discern a primary function of the chapter Write with clarity and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions covering chapter three of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine how complex characters interact Analyze the author’s craft Analyze the effect comparing Gatsby to Belasco has on the reader Infer why the author may have intended to wait to introduce Gatsby until chapter three Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text with an emphasis on understatement and situational irony Analyze what Nick’s dialogue and behavior at the party reveals about his psychological state Explore character motivations Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Articulate how Nick’s expectations of Gatsby are violated Write with clarity and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions covering chapter four of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Analyze the author’s craft to determine the effect diction has on the reader’s comprehension Apply knowledge of various literary devices including sibilance, invective, ambiguity, oxymoron, and imagery Articulate the cultural significance of the white chauffeur transporting people of color Discern what Nick finds astonishing about Wolfsheim’s behavior Identify the primary function of Wolfsheim’s character in the context of the plot Define complex words as they are used in the text Make logical inferences about Nick’s modes of thinking Articulate the technique Fitzgerald uses to spark a significant shift in tone Write with clarity and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions covering chapter five of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Articulate how Gatsby’s behavior is ironic from Nick’s perspective Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, simile, and hyperbole Identify textual evidence that best supports a claim Analyze the author’s use of language to discern his intent Explore the symbolism of an object or objects Clarify and elaborate on a concern Nick has for Gatsby in a given passage Write with clarity and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions covering chapter nine of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and metaphor Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters interact Determine the greater significance of a given characterization detail Analyze the author’s word choices to infer the author’s intent Make logical inferences about a character’s mode of thinking in context Explore how Tom sees himself in the context of the tragedies of Gatsby, Myrtle, and Wilson

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions covering chapter eight of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Explore character motivations Analyze how and why complex characters behave certain ways Make logical inferences based on characterization details and other narrative techniques Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, oxymoron, simile, onomatopoeia, assonance, and more Explore the meanings of complex words, taking into consideration both denotative and connotative associations Analyze a given passage to determine its tone Determine the primary function of a given detail Explore cause-and-effect relationships Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Analyze plot developments in the context of the chapter to discern and articulate social commentary Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Analyze the symbolic importance of dust Write with clarity and precision

Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, and text comprehension with a brief, engaging fairy tale titled “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm. A plot-based quiz is provided to measure reading comprehension, along with an answer key. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The origin of Cinderella’s name The step-sisters’ request of their step-father Cinderella’s request of her father The conditions under which the step-mother claims Cinderella may attend the ball The reason the step-mother does not follow through on her promise The person whose grave Cinderella visits The pigeons’ offering of help What happens when Cinderella attends the ball How Cinderella lost her slipper How the step-sisters attempt to deceive the prince The consequence of the step-sisters’ actions

Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the fairy tale “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by the Brothers Grimm. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The cause of the queen’s distress Characteristics of the looking-glass The evil characterization of the queen The dwarfs’ profession The nature of Snow White’s first interaction with the dwarfs The queen’s plans after discovering Snow White remains alive The reason the dwarfs cannot bury Snow White The prince’s reaction to the sight of Snow White The incident that precedes Snow White’s revival The death of the queen

Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time with this printable quiz on the Gothic short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: An accurate descriptor for the narrator’s state of mind Understanding what it means to “punish with impunity” Fortunato’s fondness for wine What Amontillado is Montresor’s premeditated scheme to lure Fortunato The cause of Fortunato’s coughing fits Montresor’s efforts to appear friendly despite his intent What can be found inside the catacombs The significance of a hand gesture The apprehension of Fortunato Fortunato’s disturbing fate

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 2 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Reynaldo’s spying on Laertes The cause of Ophelia’s fright Polonius’ recommendation to Ophelia Ophelia’s rejection of Hamlet The arrival of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern The roles of Voltemand and Cornelius Claudius’ effect on Fortinbras Hamlet’s comparison of Denmark to a prison The interaction among Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern The effect of the actors on Hamlet Hamlet’s self-criticism Hamlet’s fear

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 5 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The nature of the gravediggers’ conversation Hamlet’s reaction to the gravediggers’ behaviors Hamlet’s similarities to the gravediggers The nature of Hamlet’s conversation with the gravediggers A former jester named Yorick The church’s perspective on people who commit suicide Laertes’ emotional response to Ophelia’s burial Hamlet’s discovery of the plot to have him killed Hamlet’s feelings toward Laertes Hamlet’s duel with Laertes Hamlet’s assessment of his physical strength in comparison to Laertes The nature of Gertrude’s death Hamlet’s belief regarding who should be the new King of Denmark

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 3, 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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. More specifically, students will be able to: Identify what Claudius compares Hamlet to Consider plot developments from Claudius’s point of view Identify why it is important for Claudius to give the illusion of careful consideration when banishing Hamlet Identify textual evidence that supports Claudius’s judgment that Hamlet is going insane Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus Identify Hamlet’s justification for calling Claudius his mother Make a logical inference about Hamlet’s thinking based on dialogue Discern the tone of a given passage Consider plot developments from Hamlet’s point of view Identify Hamlet’s intent based on his interactions with Claudius in this scene Identify and explain an example of dramatic irony in this scene Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile Write 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 Othello. With a focus on Act 2, scene 2, 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. By completing this exercise, students will: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Make logical inferences in context Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including alliteration and situational irony Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Identify textual evidence in support of a claim Write with clarity and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 2, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine the function of a particular excerpt Conduct brief research on classical mythology — more specifically the tale of Arion and the dolphin — and draw parallels between the mythological figure and Sebastian Consider the text’s allusion to Elysium to infer greater meaning Discern the tone of a character’s dialogue Come to class/depart class better prepared to discuss literary material Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 3, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Discern tone in context Identify the greater significance of a given detail Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole and simile Explore cause-and-effect relationships Identify a function of the scene