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.
This end-of-unit test covers William Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest and includes an answer key, as well as a standards-based rubric for scoring essays. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge of significant characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events throughout the play
Identify the context of meaningful quotations in the play
Apply knowledge of a variety of literary devices applied in the play including hyperbole, metaphor, personification, situational irony, and more
Respond to an essay prompt requiring students to generate a relevant theme in the context of the play and explore its development
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
This summative test covers William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and includes an answer key, as well as a standards-based rubric for scoring essays. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By administering this assessment, teachers will evaluate students’ abilities to do the following:
Demonstrate knowledge of aspects of drama including relevant vocabulary and historical context
Demonstrate knowledge significant characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that transpire
Identify the context of meaningful quotations in the play
Apply knowledge of a variety of literary devices applied in the novel including hyperbole, metaphor, situational irony, dramatic irony, verbal irony, and more
Respond to an essay prompt requiring students to evaluate tragic mistakes characters make
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
Conclude a unit on William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice with this fifty-question test delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. An answer key is included. This assessment is divided into four sections and breaks down as follows.
Part 1. Multiple choice. Students will demonstrate knowledge of character and plot details.
Part 2. True/False and Either Or. Students will identify whether a statement is true or false, or they will identify the correct option between two choices.
Part 3. Matching. Students will match an excerpt with its appropriate context.
Part 4. Multiple choice. Students will be given a detail or excerpt and must determine which literary device is best reflected.
Eliminate assessment planning responsibilities and evaluate high school students’ knowledge of plot and literary craft with this summative test covering William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. An answer key is included, as well as a standards-based rubric for scoring a thematic essay response tied to a significant quotation (“Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides, / Who covers faults at last with shame derides”). Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students are responsible for demonstrating an understanding of the following characters, details, concepts, and quotes:
Cordelia
Goneril
Regan
King Lear
Edmund
Edgar
Kent
Albany
Cornwall
The Fool
Gloucester
Oswald
The King of France
Tom of Bedlam
The play’s setting
Edmund’s status as an illegitimate child and associated consequences
Edmund’s promotion to Earl of Gloucester
Cornwall’s torture of Gloucester
Edgar’s philosophies on life
Edmund’s desire to kill his father
King Lear’s epiphany regarding power and its benefits
King Lear’s imprisonment
Metaphor
Simile
Foreshadowing
Situational irony
Dramatic irony
Paradox
Alliteration
Hyperbole
Personification
Internal conflict
External conflict
Dynamic character
Symbolism
“Nothing will come from nothing.” (Act 1, scene 1)
“I love your Majesty / According to my bond; no more no less.” (Act 1, scene 1)
“Let his knights have colder looks among you.” (Act 1, scene 3)
“Fortune, good night; smile once more; turn thy wheel!” (Act 2, scene 2)
“The younger rises when the old doth fall.” (Act 3, scene 3)
“I will have my revenge ere I depart this house.” (Act 3, scene 5)
“Out, vile jelly!” (Act 3, scene 7)
“I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; / I stumbled when I saw.” (Act 4, scene 1)
“Was this a face / To be opposed against the warring winds?”(Act 4, scene 7)
“You have some cause; they have not.”(Act 4, scene 7)
“Ripeness is all.” (Act 5, scene 2)
“My master calls me, I must not say no.” (Act 5, scene 3)
Eliminate assessment planning responsibilities and evaluate high school students’ knowledge of plot and literary craft with this summative test covering William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included, as well as a standards-based rubric for scoring essays in response to a prompt about Macbeth’s moral deterioration and the variables contributing to it. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Measure high school reading comprehension and support analysis of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (Act 2) with this bundle that features a plot-based quiz and rigorous close reading activities. By engaging with these resources, students will identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply knowledge of literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, make engagement with text visible, and more. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Discern what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Identify a variety of functions this scene serves
Analyze character statements and behaviors to draw logical inferences about character development and motivations
Analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context to determine meaning and intended effect
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text with emphasis on situational irony
Compare and contrast two characters
Articulate ideas with clarity and precision
Defend a claim with textual evidence
Analyze the factors contributing to Hamlet’s internal conflict (the contradictory nature of religious values coupled with codes of honor)
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot; two close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft and covering each scene respectively; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in 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 materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Evaluate behavior to determine which character is most committed to their role in the charade
Apply knowledge of literary devices including pun, idiom, sibilance, metaphor, and dramatic irony
Identify textual evidence in support of a claim
Discern the tone of a character’s remarks
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot; two close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft and covering each scene respectively; and answer keys. 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 engaging in these exercises, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the tone of given excerpts
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Consider how a particular excerpt advances the plot
Examine the greater significance of a given detail
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion, consonance, metaphor, simile, oxymoron, hyperbole, and situational irony
Support claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, two close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the tone of dialogue in context
Discern the intended effect of narrative techniques
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate the internal conflicts of two characters (Beatrice and Benedick)
Contrast two characters (Borachio and Conrade)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including pun, hyperbole, oxymoron, allusion, metaphor, malapropism, imagery, and more
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Measure high school reading comprehension and support analysis of Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night (Act 4) with this bundle featuring a plot-based quiz and rigorous close reading activities. By engaging with these resources, students will identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply knowledge of literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, make engagement with text visible, and more. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Apply knowledge of dramatic irony, situational irony, and paradox
Determine the significance of Feste’s participation in the newest plot to make a fool out of Malvolio
Consider the intent of character actions
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Analyze the author’s craft to determine how the audience is supposed to feel as a result of character development
Explore the psychological state of Toby in the context of the scene
Apply knowledge of allusion
Identify an excerpt from the scene that features an example of oxymoron
Identify an excerpt in the scene that conveys Feste’s confidence
Write with clarity and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest. A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Consider tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany and figurative language
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest. A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dynamic character and symbolism
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and symbolic imagery
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters (Cassius and Casca)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbaton, metaphor, pun, simile, and situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, three close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Explore the symbolism of an oyster in the context of Benedick’s mindset
Contrast two characters (Beatrice and Hero)
Contrast aspects of scene one with aspects of scene two
Determine the function of an interaction between characters (Don John and Claudio)
Discern tone in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, oxymoron, invective, pun, metaphor, situational irony, dramatic irony, 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 support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, three close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the function of a given detail
Discern the function of a given scene
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare characters (Beatrice and Benedick; Don John and Benedick)
Discern tone in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, pun, hyperbole, juxtaposition, allusion, metaphor, dramatic irony, and more
Explore the symbolism associated with a given detail
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: two multiple choice quizzes on characters and plot, covering Act 1 and its preceding induction respectively; two close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft; and answer keys for everything. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in these exercises, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consider how the effect of humor is achieved in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Isolate details that represent the best textual evidence in support of claims
Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, hyperbole, sibilance, onomatopoeia, assonance, metaphor, simile, verbal irony, and dramatic irony
Determine the functions of given excerpts
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the functions of given excerpts
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast the speeches of Brutus and Antony with emphasis on content, language, rhetorical skills, and audience engagement
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, hubris, alliteration, personification, foreshadowing, and irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the functions of given excerpts
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters (Antony and Brutus)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, personification, foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, three close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources 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 do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, personification, simile, onomatopoeia, and oxymoron
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works