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.
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter eight of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will…
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Draw reasoned inferences about characterization
Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on symbolism
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter six of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in this exercise, students will:
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Explore how complex characters think, behave, and develop
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Draw reasoned inferences about characterization
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on imagery
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Explore the motif of heroism
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter four of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in this exercise, students will:
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Draw reasoned inferences about characterization
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Write about literature such that the reader will follow the student’s reasoning
Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 13 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will…
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony, imagery, and symbolism
Read closely to isolate logical inferences from less compelling or illogical inferences
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 16 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will…
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on situational irony
Read closely to determine logical inferences
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 15 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will…
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
Read closely to determine logical inferences
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter 14 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will…
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
Read closely to determine logical inferences
Explore theme
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence and/or reasoned thinking
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” (also called “Little Red Cap”). Alternatively, the assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
How people generally perceive Little Red Cap
Grandmother’s expressions of affection
The items Little Red Cap is instructed to bring Grandmother
The reason for the delivery of items
Mother’s advice to Little Red Cap
Little Red Cap’s initial reaction to meeting the wolf
The wolf’s methods of manipulating Little Red Cap
Signs of danger at Grandmother’s house
The reason the huntsman does not shoot the wolf
The rescuing of Little Red Cap and her grandmother
How Little Red Cap gets justice
The huntsman’s reward for his efforts
Information provided in the epilogue
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin.” Alternatively, the assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The miller’s feelings toward his daughter
The miller’s feelings toward the king
The king’s greed
A task the maiden is assigned
An offer the king makes the maiden
Offerings made to the hobgoblin
A new task for the maiden
The length of time the maiden has to complete her new task
A messenger’s observations
The hobgoblin’s response to failure
The court’s reaction to the hobgoblin
Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 4 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are provided. 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 says explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
Consider the greater significance of given details
Discern the primary function of a particular journal entry
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on epiphany, situational irony, personification, alliteration, and diacope
Conduct brief research on gypsies in order to to explain why Harker believes they may be helpful to him
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 3 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are provided. 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 says explicitly and implicitly
Discern the primary purpose of a given paragraph
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on epiphany, oxymoron, and dramatic irony
Explain how gender norms of 19th Century England are broken
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Test” by Theodore Thomas. The resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Robert’s characterization in the exposition
A description of setting in the exposition
The person with whom Robert is driving
Robert’s decision in violation of professional advice
The significance of a blue convertible
An image that has intense emotional resonance with Robert
A new routine pertaining to taking a driving test
The cost of the driving test
The reason for Robert’s failure
The resolution
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of quizzes covering chapters 17 through 29 of Feed by M.T. Anderson, a dystopian science fiction novel. A multiple choice quiz and answer key are provided, as well as a short answer alternative option for re-assessment. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Questions pertain to details from the sections titled “Release” (chapter 17) through “A Day in the Country” (chapter 29):
Violet’s excitement
Unique terminology for deliberately causing one’s feed to malfunction
The condition of Violet’s feedware
Titus’s dreams
Violet’s beliefs about corporate influence on society
Violet’s behavior at the mall
Characteristics associated with School™
Violet’s classification of America’s system of government
How Titus’s parents try to cheer him up
The fate of the hacker from earlier in the novel
The reason Violet’s father speaks the way he does
An unsettling question asked by Violet
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 1 and 2 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Point of view
The tone of Holden’s voice
Where Holden is at the start of the story
Holden’s family
Reason for Holden’s dismissal from Pencey Prep
Holden’s irresponsible behaviors and actions
Visiting Mr. Spencer
“Life is a game”
Mr. Spencer’s advice to Holden
Holden’s awful paper on ancient Egyptians
Holden’s lack of willingness to confront his own actions
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The plot-based assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Additionally, a short answer worksheet is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Iago’s concern that Roderigo could expose him
Iago’s irrational jealousy of Cassio
Cassio’s injury
Fatal wounds
The arrest of Bianca
Othello’s verbal exchange with Desdemona
The subsequent killing
Emilia’s news
The brief revival of a character
The ensuing stabbings, one fatal
Othello’s subsequent perception of himself
The fatal flaw of the hero
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 2, of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. 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.
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 the text
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Determine the primary function of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony
Conduct brief research on Bethlem Royal Hospital
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support the development of high school close reading skills and analysis of Shakespeare’s The Tempest with this worksheet on Act 1, scene 2. 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
Articulate what Miranda and the audience (or readers) have in common
Analyze what is revealed about Miranda through her interactions with Prospero
Identify character motivations
Demonstrate knowledge of Prospero’s emotional state as it relates to his past with Antonio
Define complex words or phrases in context
Very interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials like a dictionary and thesaurus
Analyze what is revealed about Gonzalo’s psychological state through his actions
Articulate a primary function of a given excerpt
Identify and explain an example of dramatic irony
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and facilitate analysis of Shakespeare’s craft with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 1, of The Tempest. An answer key is provided. 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
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe the tone of a particular excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Antonio and Sebastian)
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on 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
Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz on Act 3 of The Tempest by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
Ferdinand’s status at the start of the Act
Ferdinand’s perspective on doing hard labor
The interactions between Ferdinand and Miranda
The effect of said interactions on Prospero
Caliban’s resentment of Trinculo
Stephano’s visions of the future
Ariel’s eavesdropping on Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban
A strange occurrence
Ariel’s warnings to King Alonso and his attendants
Prospero’s observations
King Alonso’s psychological state
Gonzalo’s concerns about his cohorts
Measure general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of two quizzes covering Book 2, chapters 1 through 3, of George Orwell’s 1984. A multiple choice assessment and a short answer option are provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The irony of Julia’s message to Winston
Analysis of Julia’s comment, “We’re not dead yet.”
Hate Week
The prisoner transport
Winston’s reaction to Julia’s very personal admission
Primary influences on Julia’s behaviors
How the government manipulates people into frenzy
Winston’s alarming admission about his ex-wife