Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this plot-based quiz covering Pearl Buck’s short story “The Good Deed,” a piece of realistic fiction that highlights different cultural perspectives on marriage and family dynamics. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting Old Mrs. Pan’s abrupt relocation Old Mrs. Pan’s emotional response to her new home The cultural disparity between Old Mrs. Pan and her younger relatives Young Mrs. Pan’s characterization Arrangements with Lili Yang The cultural values of Old Mrs. Pan Old Mrs. Pan’s newfound zest for life Lili’s age Arranged marriage The resolution

For many high school readers, realistic and multicultural fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “The Good Deed” by Pearl S. Buck is a realistic short story that exposes high school readers to different cultural perspectives on marriage and family dynamics. 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. A detailed answer key is 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 Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, aposiopesis, antonomasia, and more Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact Make logical inferences based on characterization details provided by the author Articulate the symbolic value of a particular object Evaluate whether young Mr. Pan exhibits rational or irrational behaviors when handling emotionally intense situations Identify examples of old Mrs. Pan’s culture shock Choose the best synonym to replace a word as it is used in the story Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Explore the intended effect of the author’s phrasing Articulate Lili’s internal conflict Discern the greater significance of a seemingly insignificant detail Choose a statement with which a character is most likely to agree Isolate details that suggest a favorable outcome Examine old Mrs. Pan’s transformation into a dynamic character Support 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 short story “The Good Deed” by Pearl S. Buck. 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: abashed, barbarous, beckon, bestow, chide, coax, denounce, exclaim, folly, gallantly, grieve, habitually, heartily, idleness, indignantly, millet, retort, revere, scarcely, sternly, tentative, till, totter, unfilial, uppish, wharf, and withered. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Wives of the Dead” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: bereavement, comely, confederate, deluge, feeble, felicity, frugal, hasten, hinder, lamentation, middling, monotonous, morsel, pall, pang, piety, principal, repose, repress, scarcely, skirmish, successive, summons, tempestuous, wooer, and yearn. 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 reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Willa Cather’s short story titled 'The Sentimentality of William Tavener." The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Character descriptions with emphasis on personality types The type of business the couple runs and its effect on their marriage Interactions between complex characters Details of the couple’s past How sharing memories brings about meaningful change Dynamic character

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Sherwood Anderson’s short story titled “Stolen Day.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Point of view The narrator’s comparison of children to actors The narrator’s feelings toward Walter General details about a variety of characters including Sarah Suggett and Mr. Fenn The narrator’s emotional state The narrator’s relationship with his family The workings of the narrator’s imagination The narrator’s extracurricular activities How the father learns of the narrator’s truancy

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Stephen Vincent Benet’s short story titled “By the Waters of Babylon.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. 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: The protagonist’s community Societal expectations The destruction of the Place of the Gods A valuable resource Restrictions on who may access the valuable resource A sign that indicates to the protagonist that she should travel The protagonist’s personal motivations The protagonist’s philosophy on life Setting The former inhabitants of the Place of the Gods Theme

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Larry Woiwode’s short story “The Beginning of Grief,” a narrative exploring themes of personal loss and the importance of openness and communication in terms of processing death. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will perform the following tasks: Read for literal and interpretive comprehension Apply knowledge of setting, characterization, and conflict Be better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions about literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Maurice Walsh’s short story titled “The Quiet Man.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Significance of the title Point of view Setting The protagonist’s motivations The antagonist’s motivations Ellen’s relation to Liam How character relationships change Ellen’s feelings toward Liam Ellen’s motivations A revelation concerning the protagonist The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Sylvia Townsend Warner’s short story “The Phoenix,” a piece focusing on the theme of humanity’s exploitation of Nature for profit. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will perform the following tasks: Read for literal and interpretive comprehension Apply knowledge of setting, characterization, and conflict Be better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions about literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Gina Berriault’s short story “The Stone Boy.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. 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: The age of the protagonist Eugie’s relation to Arnold Arnold’s intentions The cause of a significant complication The nature of Eugie’s death Arnold’s immediate response to Eugie’s death Arnold’s response to a question about not contacting authorities The sheriff’s beliefs The identity of a family member who agrees with the sheriff The effect of a conversation among neighbors on Arnold The root of Arnold’s concern in the resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Saki’s short story titled “The Storyteller.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. 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: Setting Weather conditions Details about the aunt’s story The moral of the aunt’s story The children’s reaction to the aunt’s story The identity of the person who travels alongside the aunt and kids A description of Bertha Bertha’s meaningful objects Where Bertha visits The danger facing Bertha The aunt’s reaction to the bachelor’s story

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Fritz Leiber’s science fiction short story titled “Mariana.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Mariana’s feelings toward the tall pine trees around her house Jonathan’s comments on the origin of the pine trees Jonathan’s condescension toward Mariana Mariana’s decision to switch off the trees and her observations about the landscape Mariana’s attempt to cheer herself up The breaking of a switch The consequences of Mariana’s decision to switch the house off Jonathan’s extreme reaction to Mariana’s decision Where Mariana finds herself near the story’s resolution The revelation of a sixth (and final) switch and its significance.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction short story “History Lesson.” A short answer quiz option is also provided for re-assessment purposes. 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: The tribe’s fears Hope for survival A reason for the Ice Age The Ice Age’s effect on Venus Shann’s sons and their efforts to save items for future generations The discovery of the preserved items Human accomplishments vs. those of the Venusians Studying the film record Dramatic irony

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on Marvin Kaye’s satirical short story “Ms. Lipshutz and the Goblin.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. 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: Daphne’s Quest for the Perfect Mate The story’s setting Daphne’s professional life Daphne’s first impression of Klotsch Klotsch’s poor behavior Klotsch’s previous employer The reason Daphne misses the bus Daphne and Klotsch’s post-marriage lives

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Open Window” by Saki. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: briskly, bustle, endeavor, habitation, hoarse, imminent, infirmity, mope, pariah, rectory, scarcity, treacherous, and unduly. 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

Help high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this resource for teaching “The Open Window” by Saki. Additional materials are included to facilitate planning for unexpected teacher absences. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Included are the following: Public domain short story. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1000 to 1100, the narrative is a suitable selection for middle and high school English Language Arts classes. Close reading analysis worksheet. By engaging with this exercise, students will articulate what is stated explicitly and implicitly; identify the point of view and setting details; analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave; discern the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases; examine cause-and-effect relationships; apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony; cite textual evidence in support of claims; and write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision. Questions are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Close reading analysis worksheet answer key. Low-prep lesson plan for unexpected absences. This comes pre-filled with learning targets and agenda items. Space is also designated for classroom teachers to identify the name(s) of their class(es), the hour(s) of their class(es), student leaders, and upcoming homework assignments and assessments. Bell ringer activity. Help a substitute teacher engage students (and find time to take attendance) with a thematically linked writing prompt. Miscellaneous performance tasks handout. Extend student thinking and learning in the event of unexpected absences with this item outlining creative tasks pertaining to the short story. For example, students may write poetry or journal entries from the perspective of a character; write a brief retelling of the narrative from a different character’s perspective; explore the thematic significance of stories; review the overall quality of the narrative with objectivity and supporting evidence; and more.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Saki’s short story “The Open Window.” The assessment 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 editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The reason for Framton’s visit to the country The concern of Framton’s sister The nature of the relationship between Framton and Mrs. Sappleton Vera’s relation to Mrs. Sappleton The details of Vera’s fanciful story Mrs. Sappleton’s general disposition toward Framton The reason for Framton’s aprupt departure Vera’s storytelling to conclude the narrative