Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The quiz may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the play. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Gonzalo’s interactions with King Alonso Sebastian’s interactions with King Alonso The reason for King Alonso’s emotional distress Ariel’s effect on the shipwrecked crew Antonio’s planned betrayal of King Alonso Caliban’s feelings toward Prospero The role of Trinculo Trinculo’s reaction to Caliban The characterization of Stephano Caliban’s assumption about Trinculo and Caliban Caliban’s decision to serve Stephano

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. An answer key is provided. 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 completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly 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, and sibilance Determine the function of a given excerpt

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 1, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. An answer key is provided. 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 completing this exercise, 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 Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, assonance, metaphor, simile, verbal irony, and dramatic irony Discern the function of a given excerpt Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 1, of Hamlet 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 words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast two characters Determine the function of the scene Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Measure general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering chapters 15 and 16 of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. A firsthand account of the author’s experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War, this book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to incorporate more autobiographical nonfiction into their English and/or history classes. In addition to an answer key, an short answer quiz option is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The psychological effects of war on Ishmael The names of significant entities mentioned in the text Difficulties in rehabbing figures in the text Specific acts of insubordination and violence Ishmael’s medical needs The collective motivation for attending school Ishmael’s nickname and its origin And more

Measure general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering chapters 17 through 21 of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. A firsthand account of the author’s experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War, this book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to incorporate more autobiographical nonfiction into their English and/or history classes. In addition to an answer key, an short answer quiz option is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The helpful nature of numerous figures in the text Ishmael’s recollection of having life-threatening injuries and his reaction Mambu’s tragic circumstances The United Nations Conference in New York City Ishmael’s difficulty in acquiring a passport and Visa Complications affecting the civilian government Ishmael’s escape And more

Measure general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on chapters 10 through 14 of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. A firsthand account of the author’s experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War, this book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to incorporate more autobiographical nonfiction into their English and/or history classes. In addition to an answer key, an short answer quiz option is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Acts of kindness Significant realizations among key figures in the text Coping strategies among key figures in the text Ominous occurrences Medical concerns among key figures in the text Updates on family members General descriptions of setting The collective motivation to join the military Violent events The effects of war on key figures in the text And more

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 4, scene 1, of Hamlet 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 words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the tone of a given passage Apply knowledge of literary devices including verbal irony, sibilance, personification, consonance, and inversion 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 eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this multiple choice quiz covering chapters 1 through 3 of A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck. In addition to an answer key, an alternate short answer option is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in a zip file as Word Documents and PDFs. Questions pertain to the following important details: A conflict with Edward Thatcher Apron’s problem Rob’s attempts to help Apron How Rob gets home Rob’s dad Rob’s stitches Rob’s father’s philosophy on fences Mr. Tanner’s gift to Rob Rob’s father’s philosophy on accepting gifts

Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with these plot-based quizzes covering the chapters “The Cyclops’ Cave” through “Cannibal Beach.” Both multiple choice and short answer options are offered, as are answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details: The dangers of Polyphemus Ulysses efforts to save himself and his men The eventual escape A flaw in Ulysses’ character Polyphemus’s plea to his father Aeolus and a gift Another mistake Ulysses makes before arriving home Aeolus’s response to Ulysses’ mistake Incidents on Cannibal Beach

Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this plot-based quiz covering the prologue through the chapter titled “The Lotus Eaters.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in a zip file as both a Word Document and a PDF. Questions pertain to the following important details: A bribe (inciting incident) An oath agreed to by Helen’s suitors The Trojan War The wooden horse An attack on the Island of the Ciconians Ulysses’ efforts to save his men from subsequent attack The tossing away of treasures Morpheus A characterization of the Lotus Eaters Ulysses’ efforts to remove his men from the influence of Lotusland

Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with these plot-based quizzes covering chapter seven, “Circe.” A multiple choice version is provided, as well as a short answer alternative. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details: A surprising discovery on the island Circe’s background Circe’s powers Ulysses’ unexpected help from a Greek god Ulysses and Circe’s arrangement The men’s general feelings toward remaining on the island Circe’s offer to Ulysses, which is refused A revelation concerning the Land of the Dead Ulysses’ decision to leave the island

Measure general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of two quizzes covering Book 2, chapters 4 through 6, 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 room Winston rents Julia’s encounter with a rat The significance of the paperweight Winston’s imagination as he stares into the paperweight The expected vanishing of a character Winston’s reaction to the singing of a prole woman The hate song and other preparations for Hate Week Julia’s accusations against the Party An encounter with O’Brien O’Brien’s offer to Winston

Measure general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of two quizzes covering Book 3, chapters 4 through 6, 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: Winston’s nightmare Winston’s confession that he still hates the Party Room 101 Winston’s worst nightmare and O’Brien’s most effective torture technique Winston’s means of getting out of his torturous situation (betrayal) A reunion at the Chestnut Tree Café Winston’s ultimate feelings about Big Brother News about the war

Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use Grimms’ fairy tales as tools for extending beyond reading comprehension and practicing close reading analysis skills. “The Dog and the Sparrow” by the Brothers Grimm is a representative short story that promotes active engagement with fiction, particularly with respect to struggling and reluctant readers. English Language Arts teachers may assign this set of rigorous questions to complement the story and evaluate students’ high-order skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Examine the author’s word choices to discern greater understanding of characterization Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of various literary devices such as theme, foreshadowing, and situational irony Support ideas and claims with valid reasoning and relevant evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

This assessment measures general reading comprehension, gathers formative data to inform instructional planning, and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of King Lear by Shakespeare (Act 3). An answer key is included. The material is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following relevant details: Character motivations (King of France) The application of metaphor in the text Analysis of King Lear as a dynamic character and articulating relevant textual evidence A character’s treasonous actions Significant details about Gloucester King Lear’s epiphany regarding his treatment of struggling subjects Edgar’s deceptive behavior The application of dramatic irony in the text Edmund as the new Earl of Gloucester Displays of King Lear’s mental decline Regan’s display of disrespect toward Gloucester Cornwall’s cruel and violent acts Cornwall’s injury

This assessment measures general reading comprehension, gathers formative data to inform instructional planning, and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of King Lear by Shakespeare (Act 4). An answer key is included. The material is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following relevant details: Edgar’s changing perspective on life Gloucester’s criticism of the gods Gloucester’s concern for a beggar Goneril’s assumptions about her husband Goneril’s adulterous desires King Lear’s concerns about Cordelia Cordelia’s desires for her father Edmund’s intensifying desire to commit murder Edgar’s efforts to save his father from his suicidal desires A second fake trial King Lear’s struggle to understand his daughters King Lear’s thoughts about powerful people A duel The intent of a letter Cordelia’s request of Kent A moment of mental clarity

Gothic fiction is a genre that maximizes many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Beast in the Cave” by H.P. Lovecraft is a Gothic short story featuring an ominous setting, a protagonist with a deteriorating psychological state, a mysterious being, and a twist ending. This rigorous worksheet on “The Beast in the Cave” helps English teachers support the development of close reading analysis skills and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Use context clues to determine the state in which the story is set Isolate the statement that best describes the narrator among several options Apply knowledge of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, oxymoron, foreshadowing, Isolate a false statement about a particular passage from among several truths Make logical inferences about the narrator’s self-image Define complex words as they are used in the text Explore how the protagonist thinks, behaves, and interacts with others Discern the intended effect of the author’s diction (for example, why the author used a phrase like occult manner and why the author repeatedly uses variations of the word labyrinth) Examine the deeper meaning behind the narrator’s use of a euphemistic phrase Analyze sentence structures to determine how they contribute to the reader’s experience Explain how the narrator becomes a dynamic character Justify ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension with this quiz covering Act 2 of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Cesario’s encountering of Feste Cesario’s reaction to Olivia’s declarations of love Olivia’s misinterpretation of Cesario’s motives Olivia’s breaking of societal expectations in the times of Elizabethan England. Toby and Fabian’s underhanded deeds Andrew’s challenge Sebastian and Antonio’s arrival in Illyria Antonio’s personal history Toby’s intentions Olivia’s newest gift to Cesario Antonio’s interruption of the duel A case of mistaken identity and its consequences

Promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension with this quiz covering Act 4 of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Feste’s message from Olivia Character motivations (why Toby intervenes in a fight) Olivia’s sudden appearance “If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep!” (context) Maria’s newest deceptive plot against Malvolio Malvolio’s treatment and his attempts to improve his situation Dynamic character (a change within Toby) “Blame not this haste of mine…” (context) Dynamic character (a change within Malvolio)