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 Act 1, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Discern tone in context Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s figurative language Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text Examine cause-and-effect relationships Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance, simile, metaphor, and foreshadowing

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 Act 5, scene 7, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Explain the dual interpretations of a given phrase Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Analyze how Macbeth’s circumstances have changed since preceding scenes transpired Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on onomatopoeia Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The effect of Macbeth’s absence on Lady Macbeth The side effects of Lady Macbeth’s guilt A doctor’s discovery Macbeth’s attitude toward his war generals Malcolm’s demands of his men Macbeth’s hubris The news that causes Macbeth to change his perspective Macbeth’s reaction to a messenger The reason for Macbeth’s rekindled hope Macbeth’s battle with a young man Macduff’s ultimate act of conquering his enemy The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 13, 14, and 15 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The family driver Ma Joad’s perspective on the future Al’s conflict with a gas station attendant An incident involving the family dog The family’s reaction to Oklahoma City The Wilsons’ background Sudden death of a family member The influx of farmers posing a perceived threat to citizens of western states Truckers and the coffee shop A request of Mae A shift in Mae’s reaction to patrons of the coffee shop

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 10, 11, and 12 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Granma’s concern about California Granpa’s intentions upon getting to California The family pawning their possessions The purpose of a family meeting The activities following the family meeting Muley Graves bidding goodbye Granpa’s surprising reaction to departing The method of halting a protest Farmers’ worries about transportation and travel The narrator’s assessment of corporate farmers Treatment of farmers and their observations on a typical journey west

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 16, 17, and 18 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Ma’s reaction to Rose of Sharon’s news An engine issue with the Wilsons’ vehicle Ma’s disagreement with Tom and Casy’s decision Spending the night at a roadside camp Conditions for migrant farmers in California The creation of larger migrant family communities A degrading term for migrant families Noah’s life-changing decision A gravely ill character Agricultural inspectors stopping the family Sad news shared with the family

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 7, 8, and 9 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Narration of a used car salesman Taking advantage of departing families Uncle Tom’s guilt Ma and Pa Joad’s reaction to Tom’s return Granma’s request at breakfast Tom’s youngest brother, Al Narration of tenant farmers Talk of material possessions and memories of home Pawning belongings

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast Caesar and Calpurnia Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, symbolism, and dramatic irony 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 Shakespearean drama

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the primary function of the scene Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on foreshadowing 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 craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Describe tone in context 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 to the text including metaphor, simile, hubris, alliteration, personification, and irony Come to class better prepared to discuss Shakespearean drama

“Spunk” by Zora Neale Hurston is a short story marked by the hubris of a self-assured man who has an affair with a meeker man’s wife—a decision that leads to his demise. 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: Spunk Banks’ characterization in the exposition The gathering place for the community’s men Lena Kanty’s characterization in the exposition Elijah’s treatment of Joe Joe’s weapon The men’s opinion of Joe’s plan to confront Spunk The outcome of Joe’s plan Spunk’s assessment of Joe following his death Speculation concerning the relationship between Spunk and Lena An animal sighting and its significance to Spunk Spunk’s manner of death The resolution

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 a classic Grimm’s fairy tale titled “Little Red Riding Hood” (also called “Little Red Cap”). An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, assonance, sibilance, dramatic irony, and situational irony Determine the primary function of the epilogue Examine 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 middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering “Rumpelstiltskin,” a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Consult reference materials as needed to verify word meanings Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices including dramatic irony, foreshadowing, hubris, inciting incident, metaphor, and situational irony Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Consider themes in context 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 high school students develop a greater understanding of how the Brothers Grimm used characterization, exaggeration, description, and various literary devices to establish a mood in “The Frog King” that is consistent with the conventions of fairy tale literature. 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.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Owl” by the Brothers Grimm, a cautionary tale about how fear affects human behavior. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the fairy tale are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The cause of the owl’s fear The location of the owl The man-servant’s assessment of the owl The master’s reaction to his man-servant’s assessment The master’s request of the community A soldier’s request The comparison of the soldier to St. George A suggestion for how to spend tax money The means by which the owl dies

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