King Lear Act 1 Scene 1 Close Reading Worksheet

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. Delivered in 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.

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 this close reading activity, students will:

• Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
• Define words/phrases as they are used in context
• Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
• Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
• Describe tone in context
• Consider the greater significance of given details
• Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
• Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration and situational irony
• Conduct brief research on mythological and historical subjects
• Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
• Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision