Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the Gothic short story “The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan Poe. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: coarse, contempt, diffuse, feeble, fiendish, insuperable, lethargy, lurid, pertinacity, prostrate, ravenous, recusant, stagger, stealthily, sullen, trifles, vague, vigor, vivacity, and writhe. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex 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

For many high school readers, psychological fiction and horror are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Premature Burial” by Edgar Allan Poe features elements consistent with both genres: a stream-of-consciousness technique, the intensification of an irrational fear, tales of being buried alive, and more. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. 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 Explore dominant character traits Examine how complex characters think and behave Analyze diction to make logical inferences about the author’s intent Articulate the greater significance of a given detail Apply knowledge of various literary devices including eye dialect, onomatopoeia, allusion, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more Discern the meaning of an idiom as it is used in the text Explain how a particular word or expression is considered a pun Investigate the intended effect of narrative techniques such as the liberal incorporation of em dashes Discern the function of a particular detail Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace a word used in the story Explore nuances in words with similar denotative meanings Examine narrative structure Evaluate whether the narrator’s thinking is rational Draw parallels between the narrative and a featured nonfiction passage Defend claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the Gothic short story “The Premature Burial” by Edgar Allan Poe. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abeyance, amiability, anomalous, apathetic, catalepsy, diffuse, feeble, gibbering, impunity, indubitably, insufferable, interment, lethargic, melancholy, obstinacy, palpable, petulantly, procure, solemn, spasmodic, vague, and yowl. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex 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

For many high school readers, psychological fiction and horror are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Premature Burial” by Edgar Allan Poe features elements consistent with both genres: a stream-of-consciousness technique, the intensification of an irrational fear, tales of being buried alive, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Premature Burial” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The exposition The identities of those mentioned who suffered premature burials The intentions of Julien Bossuet The narrator’s beliefs concerning premature burials The narrator’s medical condition Precautions taken by the narrator to avoid death by premature burial Where the narrator seeks shelter during a storm How a premature burial scare affects the narrator’s life moving forward The narrator’s evaluation of human imagination

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the suspenseful short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: ardent, bleak, bough, deplorable, dingy, elude, futile, hoarse, imprudent, invariably, lore, mutter, opaqueness, placid, precariously, pungent, recede, scowl, shudder, solicitously, stealthy, tangible, uncanny, venerable, and weary. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex 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

Eliminate take-home assessment planning, evaluate general reading comprehension, and promote homework accountability with this quiz covering the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Primary setting Rainsford’s hobby An inciting incident The characterization of the antagonist The protagonist’s initial impression of the antagonist The antagonist’s means of gathering his game The start of the hunt The antagonist’s motivations Rainsford’s successes The climax The resolution

Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game.” An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will do the following: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given detail Discern tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast two characters (Zaroff and Rainsford) Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on allusion, euphemism, personification, situational irony, verbal irony, and more Make a rational prediction about the protagonist’s future behavior given the full context of the narrative Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students explore literary craft with this activity covering Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game.” With this worksheet, students will isolate and reflect upon textual details that meaningfully develop character and advance plot. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a short story unit for grades 9 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this literary craft analysis activity, students will: Isolate characterization details that elicit emotional responses from readers Isolate examples of figurative language and articulate the intended effects Isolate examples of descriptive language that contribute to an atmosphere of curiosity and urgency Convey information through speech and writing in a coherent manner Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction

Help students demonstrate knowledge of literary elements and apply their understanding to Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game.” With this worksheet, students will identify the literary device that best applies to a given detail and explain their reasoning. An answer key and copy of the text are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The following essential vocabulary terms are addressed: Exposition Setting Inciting incident External conflict Internal conflict Complication Rising action Climax Resolution Theme Protagonist Antagonist Characterization Foreshadowing Dynamic character Dramatic irony Verbal irony

Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering W. W. Jacobs’ short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given detail Investigate tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and change Explore the role of setting in terms of developing characterization Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and euphemism Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement W. W. Jacobs’ short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” The following are included: a crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex 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

Evaluate general comprehension and engage high schoolers with a classic example of horror fiction with this plot-based quiz covering W. W. Jacobs’ short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the narrative. An answer key and copy of the text are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Weather conditions Interactions among family members The visitor’s background Herbert’s initial reaction to the object Strange observations in a dying fire The effects of a strange object The reason Mr. White is reluctant to make subsequent wishes Ominous sounds Conflicting motivations of characters The resolution

Help high school students explore literary craft with this activity covering W. W. Jacobs’ short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” With this worksheet, students will isolate and reflect upon textual details that meaningfully establish setting, develop characterization, and advance plot. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a short story unit for grades 9 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this literary craft analysis activity, students will: Isolate characterization details that elicit emotional responses from readers Isolate examples of descriptive language that establish and sustain a suspenseful tone Isolate examples of foreshadowing and articulate what those details reveal about future events Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, situational irony, symbolism, and verbal irony Convey information through speech and writing in a coherent manner Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering “The Interlopers” by Saki. This resource may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The story’s setting The story’s point of view A legal judgment and corresponding conflict A secret wish The encounter between Ulrich and Georg A complication A major realization and sudden friendship The resolution The title’s significance

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this rigorous close reading analysis worksheet covering the short story “The Interlopers” by Saki. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how point of view shapes the readers’ understanding of the story Articulate the intended effects of the author’s diction (“pestilential wind,” “snarled,” etc.) Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, oxymoron, personification, onomatopoeia, foreshadowing, symbolism, and situational irony Determine the function of a given passage Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Interlopers” by Saki. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: acquiesce, affray, dispossess, exasperation, fitful, interloper, keen, languor, pious, plight, precipitous, retort, vain, and wrest. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex 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