For many high school readers, fantasy and horror are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “What the Moon Brings” by H.P. Lovecraft is a brief, yet compelling short story that features elements consistent with both genres: a bizarre dreamscape, an anxious narrator, and the discovery of an underwater city. (The briefness of the story makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules.) This multiple choice quiz on “What the Moon Brings” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save 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. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view Setting The narrator’s emotional reaction to the moon The narrator’s obsessiveness Transformative qualities of ordinary things The appearance of an animal in the distance A discovery in the water The smell that overwhelms the narrator’s senses A realization about the reef The narrator’s decision in the resolution

For many high school readers, fantasy and horror are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “What the Moon Brings” by H.P. Lovecraft is a brief, yet compelling short story that features elements consistent with both genres: a bizarre dreamscape, an anxious narrator, and the discovery of an underwater city. (The briefness of the story makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules.) This rigorous worksheet covering “What the Moon Brings” helps English teachers extend student learning beyond reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Articulate what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Discern the purpose of em dashes as they are used in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, foreshadowing, epiphany, and sibilance Explore the author’s diction to draw reasoned inferences about characterization Determine the intended effect of juxtaposition as it is applied in the text Examine plot-based statements for accuracy Choose an applicable theme in the context of a given passage Explore the symbolism of a black condor as it is portrayed in the narrative Defend ideas and claims with valid reasoning and textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, supernatural fiction and fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Polaris” by H.P. Lovecraft features plot elements consistent with the aforementioned genres: a narrator of questionable sanity, a dreamscape setting, the conflict between imagination and reality, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “Polaris” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save 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. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The narrator’s home Medical conditions from which the protagonist suffers Setting The role of the Inutos The strange qualities of the protagonist’s dreams The narrator’s strengths and weaknesses in the context of the war The job assigned to the protagonist The narrator’s observations of Polaris How the narrator fails his people The resolution

For many high school readers, supernatural fiction and fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Doom that Came to Sarnath” by H.P. Lovecraft features plot elements consistent with the aforementioned genres: the plundering of a race of lizard people, shadows that seemingly originate from the moon, the vanishing of an entire city, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Doom that Came to Sarnath” (estimated Lexile Measure of 1300-1400) helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save 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. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The name Sarnath used to be known by A physical description of the beings who once inhabited the area The name of the beings’ leader The object worshiped by the beings The value humans saw in this region The fate of the strange beings and the object they worshiped The function of the amphitheater The celebration humans held in commemoration of genocide A strange event that takes place annually The amount of time that has passed since the killing of the beings The fate of the kings and their noblemen The resolution

Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may find fairy tales highly engaging. “The Girl Without Hands” by the Brothers Grimm, also known as “The Maiden Without Hands” and “The Armless Maiden,” is a short story about the plight of a maiden whose poor father makes a bargain that results in her disfigurement and confinement. English Language Arts teachers may assign the Grimms’ tale and administer this editable assessment to evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The miller’s understanding of his deal with a stranger The stranger’s underhandedness The true identity of the stranger The maiden’s attempts at saving herself The means by which the maiden loses her hands The assistance of a guardian fairy The nature of the relationship between the king and the maiden The king’s gift to the maiden The trickery of the wizard and its effect on the king’s relationship with the maiden The message displayed on the cottage The reason the maiden’s hands grow back The length of time the king travels in search of the maiden The nickname of the maiden’s son The son’s initial reaction to learning the identity of his father The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 4 through 7). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How Huck knows his father has returned The manner in which Jim tells Huck’s future The reasons why Pap is upset with his son The new judge’s actions and decisions in contrast to Judge Thatcher’s The failed efforts to rehabilitate Pap How and why Huck is taken to the cabin Pap’s drunken behavior Huck’s efforts at self-preservation

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 8 through 10). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The search crew’s efforts to recover Huck’s body How Huck comes into possession of bread to eat Huck’s evolving perspective on prayer Huck’s first indication that someone else is on the island The reason for Jim’s intense fear when he first meets Huck Jim’s motivations for taking up residence on the island Jim’s superstitious nature The circumstances surrounding the death of Pap Jim’s motivations for concealing information from Huck Huck’s prank and its unintended consequences Huck and Jim’s plan involving a disguise

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 11 through 13). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Huck’s motives for lying to Judith Textual evidence to support the claim that Judith and her family have fallen on tough times The advice Judith offers Huck before his departure How Huck and Jim avoid being discovered while traveling Pap’s philosophy on stealing and Huck’s acceptance of this philosophy What is revealed about Huck’s character based on his actions The discovery of robbers and murderers The reason Jake and Bill want a man dead Jake’s reluctance to kill a man The fate of the raft Huck’s ability to empathize and show compassion

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 14 through 16). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Jim’s opinion of King Solomon Huck’s frustration with Jim’s perspective Huck and Jim’s plan to reach safety The trick Huck plays on Jim involving the fog How the trick strengthens the bond of understanding between Huck and Jim Jim’s plan once they reach Cairo Huck’s reaction to Jim’s plan Huck’s cunning nature The change in Jim and Huck’s plans Huck’s internal conflict The separation of Huck and Jim

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 17 through 19). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Buck’s characterization The Grangerfords’ social status Emmeline Grangerford’s art and Huck’s reaction to it The circumstances leading to Huck’s reunion with Jim The ambiguity surrounding the cause of the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons The irony of churchgoers’ behavior The cause of a bloody battle The consequences of the bloody battle The introduction of the two con artists Huck’s motivation for going along with the con artists’ trickery

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 20 through 23). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Huck’s powers of persuasion Background information on the king The content of the printed poster The king’s attempts to learn dialogue from Shakespeare’s Hamlet Twain’s unpleasant description of the town The characterization of Boggs The interactions between Boggs and Sherburn Huck’s opinion of the circus Huck’s feelings toward the ringmaster The duke and king’s first performance Efforts to increase attendance numbers The low humor of subsequent performances What angers the attendees of the subsequent performances The vengeful intent of the spectators Jim’s opinion of kings The cause of Jim’s sadness

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 24 and 25). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How Jim is made more comfortable while others are gone The characterization of Mr. Wilks The king’s motivation for wearing black The details pertaining to the king and duke’s newest scam Huck’s opinion of the newest scam How the duke and the king build relationships with people How the king almost reveals himself to be a con man Dr. Robinson’s advice to Mary Jane Mary Jane’s decision pertaining to her money

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 26 through 28). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Joanna’s influence on Huck’s psychological state What motivates Huck to help the sisters Mary Jane’s disregard for her sister’s intuition The debate between the duke and the king Huck’s willingness to expose the duke and the king as con men What Huck does with the stolen money A disturbance at the funeral Who Huck blames for the stolen money The girls’ reaction to the settling of the estate Why Huck decides to reveal the plot to Mary Jane A concern Huck has pertaining to Mary Jane Mary Jane’s influence on Huck’s emotional state

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 29 through 31). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How Huck’s plan goes awry How Harvey proves his identity The crowd’s decision to dig up the body How Huck gets away from the king and the duke Huck’s feelings about the duke and the king getting away How Huck is saved from being accused of stealing Why the king confessed to a crime Huck’s motives for wanting to write to Tom Sawyer Why Huck reconsiders his decision The decision Huck feels dooms him to hell Transactional behavior between Huck and the duke The duke’s inability to be trusted

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 36 through 39). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The boys’ digging efforts Jim’s reaction to the boys’ plan Tom’s opinion of the rescue efforts Why Jim pokes his food with a fork Nat’s superstitious nature The boys’ guilt over their behavior The disappearances of household items The difficulty in baking a pie with a rope ladder in it The coat of arms Conditions in the hut that make Jim’s stay there unbearable The contents of an anonymous letter

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 32 through 35). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The dramatic irony associated with Huck’s introduction to Aunt Sally Aunt Sally’s playful prank Why Huck rushes away in the middle of a conversation with Sally and Silas Why Tom is frightened upon first meeting Huck Tom’s agreement to free Jim Tom and Sally’s similarities Sid Sawyer The treatment of the king and the duke Huck’s conscience Huck’s admiration of Tom Tom’s motivations Preparations for rescuing Jim

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 40 through 43). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Who is in the Phelps’ parlor Sally’s concern for Huck’s health A complication involving Tom’s health Huck’s lie to the doctor A racist assumption Huck’s promise to Sally Why mob participants decide against lynching Jim Tom’s feelings about Jim Aunt Polly’s introduction A major revelation

Incorporate more nonfiction into the English Language Arts classroom and help high school students practice their close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions covering a persuasive speech delivered by Sojourner Truth. Given to the Convention of the American Equal Rights Association in 1867, the historically significant speech argues in favor of suffrage for Black women and encourages Black women to speak up for their rights in order to achieve a more just society. An answer key and copy of the public domain speech are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Articulate the function of the speech Identify what the text states explicitly about Truth’s feelings toward slavery, Truth’s desires for all women, Truth’s reason for living a long life, and Truth’s reasoning for why men should fight alongside women for their rights Explore cause-and-effect relationships Explore Truth’s personal motivations Analyze stylistic elements of Truth’s speech and evaluate its effectiveness Make and defend logical inferences about the audience’s reception to the speech Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, science fiction is a high-interest genre that maximizes student engagement. “Puppet Show” by Fredric Brown is a sci-fi short story about a supposed alien visitor who is tasked with evaluating humanity’s worthiness to be included in a distinguished organization. With this editable quiz, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting Physical characteristics of the visitor Manuel Casey’s general characterization The purpose of the alien’s visit The alien’s mode of communication The condition under which humanity will learn the secrets to space travel A definition of xenophobia The psychological condition of the aliens Criticism of humankind’s hubris

For many middle and high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are high-interest genres that maximize engagement with literature. “I, Hungry Hannah Cassandra Glen” by Norma Fox Mazer is a short story told from the perspective of a teen girl whose economic hardships lead her to come up with an unconventional approach to overcoming a predicament. This complementary close reading activity helps students extend beyond reading comprehension and practice high-order thinking skills. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Identify the narrative’s inciting incident Explore character motivations Examine how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Compare and contrast the nature of two separate relationships Explore what a particular detail reveals about the protagonist’s psychological state Identify factors that contribute to the emerging conflict between the protagonist and her friend Identify and explain an example of situational irony Analyze the author’s use of figurative language to articulate its meaning Explain the significance of a particular detail Articulate the symbolism associated with the name “Crow” Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision