Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet. With a focus on Act 4, scene 4, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents.
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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
More specifically, questions pertain to the following:
Analyzing character statements and behaviors to draw logical inferences about character development and motivations
Analyzing complex vocabulary and phrasing in context to determine meaning and intended effect
Analyzing an excerpt to discern tone in context
Analyzing textual details to discern and articulate their significance to the plot
Citing textual evidence in support of a claim
Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 1 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The sighting of the King of Denmark’s ghost
Horatio’s forceful interaction with the ghost
Character motivations
Hamlet’s mourning over the loss of his father
The reason for Hamlet’s anger toward his mother
Laertes’ perspective on the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia
Polonius’ condemnation of young men for their lack of decency
A ghost’s revelation to Hamlet
Horatio and Marcellus’ promise to Hamlet
Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 2 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Reynaldo’s spying on Laertes
The cause of Ophelia’s fright
Polonius’ recommendation to Ophelia
Ophelia’s rejection of Hamlet
The arrival of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
The roles of Voltemand and Cornelius
Claudius’ effect on Fortinbras
Hamlet’s comparison of Denmark to a prison
The interaction among Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern
The effect of the actors on Hamlet
Hamlet’s self-criticism
Hamlet’s fear
Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 3 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Polonius’ gift to Ophelia
Claudius’ psychological state
Hamlet’s suicidal thoughts
Hamlet’s degrading criticisms and comments about Ophelia
Hamlet’s confession to Ophelia
A primary cause of Ophelia’s sorrow
The interaction between Hamlet and Horatio
The function of the play from Hamlet’s perspective
Gertrude and Claudius’ reaction to the play
Claudius’ decision with regard to the seemingly insane Hamlet
Claudius’ internal conflicts
Polonius’ sneakiness
The appearance of the ghost
Gertrude’s acknowledgement regarding her current husband
Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 4 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The information Gertrude gives Claudius about Hamlet
Hamlet’s refusal to identify the location of Polonius’ corpse
Hamlet’s interaction with Guildenstern and Rosencrantz
Hamlet’s reputation among the people of Denmark
Claudius’ assessment of Hamlet’s psychological state
Claudius’ plan to have Hamlet murdered
The actions of the Norwegian army
Fortinbras’ influence on Hamlet’s mindset
Ophelia’s peculiar behavior
The characterization of Laertes
Horatio’s letter from Hamlet
The tool Laertes will use to kill Hamlet
The manner of Ophelia’s death
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet. With a focus on Act 4, scene 3, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents.
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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
More specifically, students will be able to:
Identify what Claudius compares Hamlet to
Consider plot developments from Claudius’s point of view
Identify why it is important for Claudius to give the illusion of careful consideration when banishing Hamlet
Identify textual evidence that supports Claudius’s judgment that Hamlet is going insane
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus
Identify Hamlet’s justification for calling Claudius his mother
Make a logical inference about Hamlet’s thinking based on dialogue
Discern the tone of a given passage
Consider plot developments from Hamlet’s point of view
Identify Hamlet’s intent based on his interactions with Claudius in this scene
Identify and explain an example of dramatic irony in this scene
Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile
Write with clarity and precision
Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this bundle of plot-based quizzes on Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
By taking these assessments, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The sighting of the King of Denmark’s ghost
Horatio’s forceful interaction with the ghost
Character motivations
Hamlet’s mourning over the loss of his father
The reason for Hamlet’s anger toward his mother
Laertes’ perspective on the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia
Polonius’ condemnation of young men for their lack of decency
A ghost’s revelation to Hamlet
Horatio and Marcellus’ promise to Hamlet
Reynaldo’s spying on Laertes
The cause of Ophelia’s fright
Polonius’ recommendation to Ophelia
Ophelia’s rejection of Hamlet
The arrival of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
The roles of Voltemand and Cornelius
Claudius’ effect on Fortinbras
Hamlet’s comparison of Denmark to a prison
The interaction among Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern
The effect of the actors on Hamlet
Hamlet’s self-criticism
Hamlet’s fear
Polonius’ gift to Ophelia
Claudius’ psychological state
Hamlet’s suicidal thoughts
Hamlet’s degrading criticisms and comments about Ophelia
Hamlet’s confession to Ophelia
A primary cause of Ophelia’s sorrow
The interaction between Hamlet and Horatio
The function of the play from Hamlet’s perspective
Gertrude and Claudius’ reaction to the play
Claudius’ decision with regard to the seemingly insane Hamlet
Claudius’ internal conflicts
Polonius’ sneakiness
The appearance of the ghost
Gertrude’s acknowledgement regarding her current husband
The information Gertrude gives Claudius about Hamlet
Hamlet’s refusal to identify the location of Polonius’ corpse
Hamlet’s interaction with Guildenstern and Rosencrantz
Hamlet’s reputation among the people of Denmark
Claudius’ assessment of Hamlet’s psychological state
Claudius’ plan to have Hamlet murdered
The actions of the Norwegian army
Fortinbras’ influence on Hamlet’s mindset
Ophelia’s peculiar behavior
The characterization of Laertes
Horatio’s letter from Hamlet
The tool Laertes will use to kill Hamlet
The manner of Ophelia’s death
The nature of the gravediggers’ conversation
Hamlet’s reaction to the gravediggers’ behaviors
Hamlet’s similarities to the gravediggers
The nature of Hamlet’s conversation with the gravediggers
A former jester named Yorick
The church’s perspective on people who commit suicide
Laertes’ emotional response to Ophelia’s burial
Hamlet’s discovery of the plot to have him killed
Hamlet’s feelings toward Laertes
Hamlet’s duel with Laertes
Hamlet’s assessment of his physical strength in comparison to Laertes
The nature of Gertrude’s death
Hamlet’s belief regarding who should be the new King of Denmark
Support the development of high school close reading skills and analysis of Shakespeare’s The Tempest with this worksheet on Act 4, scene 1. A variety of high-order 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. This resource is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A detailed answer key is included.
More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity and precision
Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea
Discern the tone of an excerpt
Discern and articulate meaning in figurative language
Articulate the task assigned to Ariel
Analyze Shakespeare’s craft to discern and explain how humor is incorporated into the scene
Articulate the intended effect of Shakespeare’s language
Explore character motivations
Identify why Ceres is reluctant to participate in a celebration
Analyze how complex characters change over the course of the scene
Define complex words or phrases in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary and thesaurus
Identify the reason Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano would be tempted by colorful clothes
Articulate how moral character and physical appearance are related, according to Prospero
Articulate Caliban’s epiphany at the end of the scene
Support the development of high school close reading skills and analysis of Shakespeare’s The Tempest with this worksheet on Act 5, scene 1. A variety of high-order 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. This resource is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A detailed answer key is included.
More specifically, students will be able to:
Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly
Write with clarity and precision
Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea
Explore how complex characters interact and how these interactions contribute to their development
Isolate a falsehood from several accurate statements about an excerpt
Explore character motivations, including why Prospero wants music played and why he wishes not to accuse Antonio and Sebastian of treason
Analyze the symbolic value of Prospero’s change of clothes
Articulate how Gonzalo is an example of dynamic character
Articulate how Alonso’s emotional state is altered
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 2, scene 2, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents.
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:
Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including alliteration and situational irony
Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context
Identify textual evidence in support of a claim
Write with clarity and precision
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 1, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast two characters (Orsino and Olivia)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, hyperbole, and sibilance
Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Define complex vocabulary in the context of a passage
Examine nuances in words with similar denotations
Determine the function of a particular excerpt
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 4, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of figurative language
Discern the significance of a given detail
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Identify excerpts in support of claims
Isolate a factual detail about plot from falsehoods
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet. With a focus on Act 4, scene 5, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Discern what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Determine the function of a given passage
Analyze character statements and behaviors to draw logical inferences about character development and motivations
Discern the tone of a given passage
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text
Analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context to determine meaning and intended effect
Locate textual evidence in support of claims
Compare and contrast Hamlet and Ophelia
Compare and contrast Hamlet and Laertes
Articulate ideas with clarity and precision
Promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of quizzes covering each Act of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Help high school students extend reading comprehension and analyze plot developments in Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with this bundle of assessments. Answer keys are included. Covering every scene in Act 1, this bundle offers a plot-based quiz and five close reading analysis worksheets designed to facilitate students’ abilities to do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex vocabulary in the context of a passage
Examine nuances in words with similar denotations
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast two characters (Orsino and Olivia)
Discern the tone of a given excerpt
Determine the functions of particular excerpts
Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and sibilance
Conduct brief research on classical mythology — more specifically the tale of Arion and the dolphin — and draw parallels between the mythological figure and Sebastian
Consider the text’s allusion to Elysium to infer greater meaning
Defend claims with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet. With a focus on Act 4, scene 2, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents.
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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
More specifically, students will be able to:
Discern the tone of a given passage
Identify the meaning of a particular line
Identify an example of metaphor and explain its intended meaning
Analyze Hamlet’s dialogue to discern and articulate how he portrays Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as less than human
Cite textual evidence in support of the claim that Hamlet shows disrespect toward the king
Analyze the author’s craft to discern what effect is created by presenting several consecutive brief scenes
Isolate a factual statement about plot development from falsehoods
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 4, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable 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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern tone in context
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick)
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, innuendo, dramatic irony, and more
Articulate how Shakespeare established a tense atmosphere in the scene
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable 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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, malapropism, paradox, and more
Discern the intended effect of literary devices in context
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable 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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the tone of a particular remark
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Contrast aspects of this scene with aspects of the previous scene
Make inferences about the author’s intent
Apply knowledge of literary devices including invective, pun, and more
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 2 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Why Leonato teases Beatrice
Beatrice’s dance partner
Beatrice’s treatment of her dance partner
Borachio and Don John’s deception
Benedick’s self-reflection
Don Pedro’s promise to find Beatrice a husband
Hero’s chambermaid
The nature of Borachio’s interaction with Margaret
A plan to misrepresent Hero
Benedick’s assumptions about his future
Balthasar’s actions
The deception of Benedick
Benedick’s promise to love Beatrice
