Support the development of high school and college close reading skills with this assessment on the allegory titled “The Island of the Fay” by Edgar Allan Poe. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing the author’s craft, applying knowledge of literary devices, making logical inferences about author’s intent, citing relevant and compelling textual evidence to support claims, and more. The resource is delivered in Word Doc and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. 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 engaging in this exercise, students will… Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Analyze how the author uses figurative language and direct description to give the impression that Nature is a living force Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, metaphor, symbolism, and personification Compare and contrast two regions of the island Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how Poe evokes the concept of death in a given excerpt Define complex words and phrases in context Make logical inferences about the author’s mindset in the context of his allegory Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims Write with clarity and precision

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 chapter 29 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. 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. Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Apply knowledge of various literary devices to passages in the text (idiom, metaphor, personification, assonance) Discern the meaning of a given word or phrase Discern a character’s intent Analyze Boo Radley’s physical characteristics to articulate the author’s intent Analyze the author’s craft Write with clarity and precision

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 31 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. 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. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Discern the tone of a character’s remarks Use context to determine the symbolism of a tree in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices to passages in the text (personification) Discern a character’s intent Discern the author’s intent Cite evidence to support the claim that Scout’s world perspective has matured Analyze the author’s craft Make a logical inference about why Alexandra would be proud of Scout Write with clarity and precision Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel.

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 26 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. 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. Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Apply knowledge of various literary devices to passages in the text Discern the intended effect of figurative language Articulate the significance of Atticus’s re-election Discern the most accurate paraphrasing of a detail in a given passage Analyze how complex characters interact Discern author’s intent Analyze the text from an historical context Discern the tone of a given passage.

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

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the science fiction short story “The Fog Horn” by Ray Bradbury. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in this exercise, students will… Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly Identify several examples of personification and/or anthropomorphism in the narrative Identify several textual details that contribute to a sense of isolation Discern the intended meaning of figurative language Discern the function of a given excerpt Apply knowledge of sonic literary devices including consonance and assonance Analyze the author’s craft Identify stylistic changes in a given excerpt Articulate the intended effect of stylistic changes in a given excerpt Analyze relationships between complex characters Articulate how a given detail is an example of foreshadowing Make logical inferences about character motivations Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims Write with clarity and precision

Help high school students analyze how Langston Hughes used direct description, dialect, and various literary devices to develop complex characters and situations in “Thank You, Ma’am.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key is included.

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how H.P. Lovecraft used descriptive language, auditory imagery, characterization, and various literary techniques in “The Beast in the Cave” to establish an eerie mood consistent with the Gothic fiction genre. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well as an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included.

Help high school students analyze how W. W. Jacobs used foreshadowing, characterization, description, situational irony, verbal irony, personification, and symbolism to establish a tense mood and tone in “The Monkey’s Paw” that is consistent with the conventions of horror and supernatural fiction. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key is included.

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Hans Christian Andersen used descriptive language, characterization, figurative language, and other literary devices to establish a fairy tale atmosphere and empathetic protagonist in “The Little Mermaid.” This resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

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

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 6, 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 Analyze character statements and behaviors to draw logical inferences about character development and motivations Analyze how characters interact Determine the primary purpose of Hamlet’s letter to Horatio Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text Analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context to determine meaning and intended effect

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Richard Connell used descriptive language, direct and indirect characterization, and figurative language to generate a distinct protagonist and compelling piece of adventure fiction in “The Most Dangerous Game.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included.

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices zoomorphism and metaphor Discern the tone of a given passage in context Discern the significance of the boys’ allusions to adventure fiction Discern the significance of the group’s not bringing the conch shell to the mountain Analyze a character’s behavior to infer what is revealed about his mindset Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how Golding achieves a particular effect Identify relevant textual evidence in support of claims regarding Jack’s defiant nature and Piggy’s leadership potential Write with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 9 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. 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 engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Define complex words and phrases in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices (metaphor, personification, and oxymoron) Articulate how details associated with heat contribute to the development of both plot and character Analyze the author’s language to determine what it implies about a given character Identify several chapter details that contribute to Jack’s deified characterization Identify several chapter details that contribute to Piggy and Ralph’s loss of discipline Explain how a given passage honors and dignifies the character of Simon after his death Write with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. 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 engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices (metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, situational irony, and syncope) Make logical inferences about Ralph’s psychological state in the context of a passage Explore character motivations Discern the greater significance of a given detail Explain how a given phrase is a euphemism and why the author chose to employ this device Articulate the purpose of Wilfred’s brutal punishment in terms of plot development Identify textual evidence in support of a claim Write with clarity and precision

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 11 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. 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 engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices (personification) Discern the greater significance of a given detail Demonstrate understanding of figurative language Make logical inferences about character behavior Analyze character intentions and motivations Define complex words and phrases in context Identify textual evidence in support of a claim

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 12 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. 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 engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices (personification, aposiopesis, sibilance, and situational irony) Demonstrate understanding of figurative language Make logical inferences about character behavior Analyze character intentions and motivations Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how the incorporation of frequent em-dashes contributes to storytelling Articulate the significance of a given detail Conduct brief research on the author and identify examples of autobiographical parallel Identify textual evidence in support of a claim Write with clarity and precision