"The Terrible Old Man" by H.P. Lovecraft Quiz, Close Reading, and Vocabulary Games Bundle

For many high school students, the horror genre promotes more active engagement with literature. “The Terrible Old Man” by H.P. Lovecraft is a concise horror story featuring plot elements such as robbery, a character who dabbles in the occult, and mutilated corpses - making the narrative a particularly compelling read during the Halloween season. The following are included in this bundle: a plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable 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 engaging with these activities, students will:

• Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
• Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
• Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
• Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
• Determine the story’s point of view
• Discern the overall tone of the narrative
• Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
• Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony
• Draw parallels between the author’s life and the plot of “The Terrible Old Man”
• Identify relevant textual details in support of claims and ideas
• Write about compelling fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision