“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin is an example of historical fiction that, when integrated into the English Language Arts classroom, complements American History curricula, as the plot precedes the Civil War and addresses the issue of how race and ethnicity affect one’s life experiences in the South. With this multiple choice quiz covering the short story, teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting How Désirée came to be part of the Valmonde family Armand’s initial attitude toward marrying Désirée Madame Valmonde’s reaction to the sight of the baby How Armand’s treatment of others changes after the birth of his child Désirée’s observations of the plantation visitors Désirée’s demands of her husband Madame Valmonde’s response to a letter from Désirée The final interaction between Armand and Désirée Désirée’s final action in the story The fate of Désirée’s belongings Armand’s surprising discovery

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 is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Additionally, a self-grading Easel Assessment is included. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The prince’s name The number of people he has isolated at the abbey Forms of entertainment provided The prince’s intentions The collective attitude toward fear and grief The length of time from isolation to the announcement of a ball The prince’s declaration regarding party attire The prince’s reaction to the Red Death costume The time of the Red Death’s arrival A weapon the prince intends to use for defense An unsettling discovery about the suspicious figure

Crime fiction appeals to many high school readers and maximizes engagement with literature. “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl is a darkly comedic short story belonging to a subgenre called revenge fantasy, as it details a husband’s murder at the hands of his wife (and the frozen leg of a lamb). This plot-based quiz covering the short story helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension—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 this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Point of view Description of setting Mary Malone’s general characterization in the exposition Patrick Malone’s profession A typical Thursday night for the couple A surprising turn of events A deadly weapon Mary’s behavior immediately following Patrick’s death Noonan’s general disposition toward Mary A theory regarding a deadly weapon Mary’s reaction to eavesdropping on the detectives

Promote active engagement with ironic fiction, reinforce understanding of situational irony, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the short story “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry. 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: The setting and its appeal (and lack of appeal) to specific communities The backstory of the narrative’s protagonists Johnsy’s medical circumstances The doctor’s assessment of Johnsy’s condition and survival chances Character motivations Johnsy’s psychological state The general characterization of Mr. Behrman An ironic turn of events A sacrifice in the resolution

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

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. This editable, multiple choice quiz covering “The Birds” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key is included. Materials delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The reason the protagonist only works part-time The nature of the protagonist’s work A description of the protagonist’s personality A description of the setting A detail that foreshadows the first avian attack on the protagonist’s family The protagonist’s observations on the morning following the first attack Others’ reactions to the protagonist’s account The protagonist’s disposal of the birds’ corpses Information provided in a special bulletin Official theories explaining why the birds are traveling farther south A predictor of avian attacks The effects of military combat against the enemy The protagonist’s ponderings in the resolution The protagonist’s final act in the resolution

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. With questions covering chapters 6 through 11, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters develop and interact Explore the significance of a given detail Determine the most prevalent theme in a given chapter Discern the function of a particular chapter Explore cause-and-effect relationships Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings Apply knowledge of literary devices such as metaphor Explore the author’s intent Articulate the intended effect of a figurative expression Write about literature with clarity and precision

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 28 through 30, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Interpret figurative language as it is used in context Articulate the intended effect of flashback in the context of a given chapter Isolate a false statement about plot among a set of true statements Analyze how complex characters develop and interact Explore character motivations Discern the tone of a given chapter Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings Explore cause-and-effect relationships Determine the function of a given detail Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion Explore the development of theme (fear and uncertainty make people easier to control) Write about literature with clarity and precision Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 31 through 34, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Articulate how the government has failed in its mission to divide women in the context of chapter 31 Interpret an idiomatic phrase as it is used in the text Isolate a false statement about plot among a set of true statements Analyze how complex characters develop and interact Compare and contrast characters Explore character motivations Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and portmanteau Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings Explain an example of paradox in the context in chapter 34 Explore cause-and-effect relationships Write about literature with clarity and precision Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 2 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. 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. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore themes in the context of the chapter Analyze character actions and motivations Explore the symbolic meaning of a given detail Infer the intended effect of the author’s word choices Articulate the greater significance of the animals’ decision to rename the farm Discern the functions of a given passage Write about literature with clarity and precision Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Elves and the Shoemaker” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about the positive effects of performing good deeds for others. With this plot-based quiz, teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. The brevity of the narrative also helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: A defining characteristic of the shoemaker The shoemaker’s main conflict How the shoemaker spends each night The quality of the shoes produced by elves The effect of the elves on the shoemaker’s business The holiday during which a key event takes place The shoemaker’s hiding spot How the shoemaker’s wife feels toward the elves The resolution

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Sea Hare” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about characters who defy expectations in order to achieve personal goals. With this plot-based quiz, teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. The brevity of the narrative also helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The number of windows in the princess’ apartment The significance of the windows A distinguishing characteristic of the princess The reason the princess is reluctant to marry The nature of the risk men take in courting the princess The number of suitors who unsuccessfully courted the princess The young suitor’s special request The reason the princess agrees to the young suitor’s special request How the raven assists the young suitor How the fish assists the young suitor How the fox assists the young suitor The princess’ purchase at the market The resolution

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 9 through 16. In addition to a multiple choice quiz, a short answer 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. “Wolf naps” Uncle Albert A fear for the wolves’ survival A staple of the wolves’ diet George’s painful experience The purpose of a scientific experiment The main point of Ootek’s story How wolves catch fish The death of large quantities of caribou Ootek’s unique skill The wolves’ behavior An experiment involving Mike’s husky

Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Black Angel,” a short story by Nancy Springer. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting The reason for the Jersey Devil’s frustration Distinguishing characteristics of the nameless child The comparison of the Jersey Devil to another mythical being The reason for the nameless child’s presence in the woods Where the Jersey Devil takes the child The purpose of the Jersey Devil’s visit to the World Tree Dynamic character A new dynamic to the relationship between the child and the Jersey Devil The World Tree’s judgment of the Jersey Devil Symbolism

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. 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. Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Examine the context of a given passage Analyze character dialogue to discern meaning and intent Discern the meaning of complex vocabulary and phrases in context, taking into consideration both denotative definitions and connotative associations Analyze an excerpt to discern its significance

Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use Grimms’ fairy tales as tools for extending beyond reading comprehension and practicing close reading analysis skills. “Donkey Cabbages” by the Brothers Grimm is a representative short story that promotes active engagement with fiction. English Language Arts teachers may assign this set of rigorous questions to complement the story and evaluate students’ high-order skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Articulate what makes a particular character’s actions suspicious Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Select the most appropriate synonym to replace a word in the text Discern the greater significance of a given detail Articulate the irony associated with a given detail Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and juxtaposition Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Examine the authors’ diction to determine its intended effect Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. 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. Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel. By engaging with this resource, students will do the following: Discern the meaning of complex vocabulary and phrases in context, taking into consideration both denotative definitions and connotative associations Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Draw logical inferences in the context of a given passage Analyze character actions and statements to discern character intent Isolate factual statements from false statements Analyze figurative language to discern deeper meaning Consider the thematic significance of the interaction between Jem and Maudie Atkinson (a belief that there is hope for positive change in the American justice system, although that change will probably happen slowly)

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Elves and the Shoemaker” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about the positive effects of performing good deeds for others. With this set of high-order questions, teachers will be able to extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills. While the close reading activity upholds academic rigor, the brevity of the narrative helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, simile, hyperbole, allusion, and symbolism Explore theme Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Gothic fantasy and horror are genres that maximize many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Cats of Ulthar” by H.P. Lovecraft is a macabre short story featuring savage neighbors, an avenging curse, and flesh-eating felines—making it an especially chilling choice for the Halloween season. This rigorous worksheet on “The Cats of Ulthar” helps English teachers support the development of close reading analysis skills and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Discern a key purpose of the mythological allusions delivered in the exposition Draw parallels between the author’s choices and knowledge of cat-related proverbs Explore the antagonistic characterization of the community’s old couple Examine the narrator’s feelings toward the people of Ulthar Explore the greater significance of imagery from a mythological perspective Investigate the author’s decision to name a key character after an Egyptian figure Discern the functions of several paragraphs Apply knowledge of a variety of literary devices including personification, irony, inversion, and onomatopoeia Make logical inferences about the author’s decision to include two seemingly insignificant details Identify and explain a significant example of foreshadowing in the story Argue whether the people of Ulthar are better or worse off for having gone through their experiences Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

This resource extends beyond text comprehension, helping high school students analyze the formal elements of fiction and respond thoughtfully in writing to questions about literature. The featured short story is titled “The Singing Bone” by the Brothers Grimm. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story, which has an estimated Lexile measure of 1100-1200, 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 Define complex words and phrases in context, with emphasis on archaic usage Analyze nuances in word meanings Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace a word Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text with emphasis on lesser known concepts: metonymy, epizeuxis, polysyndeton, and anastrophe Apply knowledge of more basic literary devices to the text: consonance, assonance, alliteration, personification, and situational irony Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Cite textual evidence in support of claims