For many high school readers, horror and environmental fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Leiningen Versus the Ants” by Carl Stephenson involves a cataclysmic onslaught of voracious ants and one man’s misguided confidence in eliminating the threat. This editable quiz covering “Leiningen Versus the Ants” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The protagonist’s intelligence The protagonist’s profession How the protagonist’s neighbors reacted to the threat The Brazilian District Commissioner’s outlook The protagonist’s shortcomings The motivations of the ants Strategies used to combat the ants How the ants demonstrate resourcefulness The protagonist’s potentially game-changing idea The protagonist’s recollections in a moment of crisis The resolution

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on the three types of subordinate clauses: adverb clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses. Two versions of this activity are provided, including a multiple choice option to expedite take-home grading. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will demonstrate an ability to: Distinguish among adverb clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses Isolate examples of each type of subordinate clauses Identify the subjects and verbs in a variety of subordinate clauses Discern the functions of relative pronouns and noun clauses

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on resolving capitalization errors. 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. By completing this activity, students will demonstrate an ability to: Capitalize the first word in a sentence Capitalize names and other proper nouns including names of places, businesses, languages, days, months, holidays, historical events, religions, nationalities, and more Capitalize family titled like Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa when they are used as a placeholder for a name Capitalize the first word in a quotation if the quotation is a complete sentence Capitalize most words in titles, namely the first word, verbs, nouns, proper nouns, adjectives, and adverbs Capitalize A.M. or P.M. and A.D. and B.C.

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “Simeli Mountain” by the Brothers Grimm. A detailed answer key and a copy of the public domain short story are included. The narrative has an estimated Lexile measure of 1200-1300, making it an appropriate addition to a short story or fantasy literature unit at the high school level. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Define complex words and phrases in context Explain how situational irony is applied in the text Apply knowledge of consonance to the text Articulate the protagonist’s internal conflict in context Infer what the protagonist’s internal conflict reveals about his sense of morality Locate textual evidence in support of the claim that the protagonist practices moderation Make logical inferences about character motivations Explain how dramatic irony is applied in the text Examine cause-and-effect relationships Analyze character actions to discern what they reveal or reinforce about their characterization Apply knowledge of metaphor to the text Articulate the significance of a given detail Explain how poetic justice is carried out Articulate relevant themes Write with clarity and precision

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of comprehension and analysis questions on “The Three Languages,” a short story by the Brothers Grimm. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story, which has an estimated Lexile Measure of 1100-1200, are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and alliteration Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus Make logical inferences about character motivations Discern tone in context Isolate a true statement among falsehoods Make and defend logical inferences about character behaviors and motivations Articulate what the narrative suggests about the power of effective communication

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of comprehension and analysis questions on the short story “The Giant and the Tailor” by the Brothers Grimm. A variety of question types are included to help prepare for standardized testing scenarios: vocabulary-in-context questions, main idea questions, detail questions, author’s craft questions, and more. The short story has an estimated Lexile range of 900 to 1000, making it an appropriate supplement to fantasy fiction and fairy tale units for high school. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, and sibilance Define complex words, phrases, and concepts (credulity) Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus Make logical inferences about character motivations Discern tone in context Paraphrase dialogue Isolate a true statement among falsehoods Defend whether the giant’s description of being “clownish and stupid” is fair Articulate a lesson this narrative teaches about interpersonal relationships

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 rigorous worksheet covering “The Doom that Came to Sarnath” (estimated Lexile Measure of 1300-1400) 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 close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Determine the function of a given paragraph Provide a detailed description of a group of characters Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Analyze nuances in words with similar definitions Make logical inferences about character motivations Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact Examine the author’s intent Articulate the significance of a given detail Apply knowledge of literary devices such as foreshadowing Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on the short story “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. 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 is provided. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting Character motivations The protagonist’s marriage General characterization of the old man The protagonist’s psychological and emotional states General characterization of Goody Cloyse Ominous observations A surprising discovery about the protagonist’s wife The resolution

Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on the fairy tale “Fitcher’s Bird” by the Brothers Grimm. Given the dark nature of its plot, this narrative is best suited for a high school setting and makes a compelling addition to units covering genres such as horror and supernatural fantasy. 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 is provided. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The wizard’s false identity and nefarious motives The forbidden room and its gruesome contents The consequences facing any child who enters the forbidden room The object that indicates to the wizard that he has been betrayed The breaking of a cycle Reincarnated characters The wizard’s engagement The wizard’s travels and why they are at risk of delay How the wizard’s wife-to-be plans the ultimate betrayal The third sister’s disguise The fate of the wizard and his associates

Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, and text comprehension with a brief, engaging fairy tale titled “The Singing Bone” 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 cause of great terror in the kingdom The king’s promise to anyone who solves the kingdom’s problem General character descriptions The king’s instructions to a pair of brothers A gift given to one of the brothers A shepherd’s discovery The fate of both brothers

Measure comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school and college with this set of rigorous questions on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Very Old Folk.” The variety of reading question types also facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1400-1500, this text and its corresponding active reading exercise are appropriate additions to a high school short story unit, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. A detailed answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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 activity, students will demonstrate the following: An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character mindsets An ability to analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context An ability to navigate specialized reference materials successfully An ability to analyze a passage to discern its primary purpose An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as situational irony An ability to analyze cause-and-effect relationships An ability to analyze textual details to infer and articulate the author’s intent An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity, logic, and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter sixteen journal entry dated November 17, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explain the intended effect of figurative language Consider how an allusion shapes meaning Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices such as onomatopoeia Explore implications about society in a post-meteor world Write about literature with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter two journal entry dated May 18, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters develop and interact Analyze language to discern the intended effect Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole and metaphor Explore the author’s craft Support claims with relevant textual evidence and reasoning Write ideas with clarity and precision And more

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter one journal entry dated May 11, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters develop and interact Analyze language to discern the intended effect Apply knowledge of literary devices including pun Make logical inferences about the protagonist’s modes of thinking Discern the main function of a given excerpt

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter three journal entry dated May 19, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters develop and interact Analyze language to discern the intended effect Consider both denotative and connotative definitions of words as they are used in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony Determine a primary function of the chapter Support claims with relevant textual evidence and reasoning Write ideas with clarity and precision And more

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter four journal entry dated May 20, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters develop and interact Analyze the author’s language to articulate the intended effect Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, foreshadowing, and aposiopesis Explore the greater significance of a given detail Support claims with relevant textual evidence and reasoning Write ideas with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter six journal entry dated June 15, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters develop and interact Analyze figurative language to articulate the intended effect Define complex words as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices including pun and dramatic irony Explore a significant shift in narrative tone Articulate the symbolic value of a given detail Support claims with relevant textual evidence and reasoning Write ideas with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter seven journal entry dated July 2, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters develop and interact Make logical inferences about Miranda’s mindset in the context of the language she uses to communicate ideas Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion and situational irony Infer the reason(s) for Miranda’s frequent dreams of Becky Determine the function of the diary entry Support claims with relevant textual evidence and reasoning Write ideas with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter eighteen journal entry dated December 25, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices such as paradox and dramatic irony Compare and contrast Miranda’s childhood with her mother’s Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter fifteen journal entry dated October 29, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings Apply knowledge of literary devices such as idiom, alliteration, cliché, euphemism, and dramatic irony Explore cause-and-effect relationships Defend whether Miranda’s behavior as it is conveyed in the entry is consistent or inconsistent with her previous characterization Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision