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 satirical science fiction short story titled “Lose Now, Pay Later” by Carol Farley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Examine a figurative expression (“used like a flock of sheep”) for meaning Select expository character details that support the claim that the protagonist should be more capable of exercising discipline Apply knowledge of literary devices including portmanteau and personification Analyze the author’s diction to discern the intended effect of a particular word (staggered) Visualize a particular scene to make a logical inference about the author’s intent Explore the author’s description of the slimmer to make a logical inference about the safety of the contraption Read a passage to determine its tone Evaluate nuances in word meanings and use reference materials as needed Articulate how satire is present throughout the story, indicating aspects of modern society that are being critically targeted Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Exercise rational thought Cite textual evidence in support of claims

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 “Backward Step” by Paul Jennings. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyze the author’s decision to have the narrator directly address the reader in the exposition Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism and onomatopoeia Discern the intended effect of a given detail (“People from the university wanted to study me”) Make logical inferences about what a given excerpt reflects about the human condition (“Fortune-tellers and mystics claimed they had moved me in time. I was on television all over the world.”) Articulate similarities between the five-year-old protagonist and his grandmother Determine the function of a given excerpt (“I was lying on a seat on the other side of the road. An old man sitting next to me looked as if a ghost had just appeared in front of him. He screamed and ran off as fast as he could go.”) Identify techniques used to convey the narrator’s childlike voice Conduct brief research into the Grandfather Paradox Determine a theme that is reinforced by the story’s resolution Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Exercise rational thought Cite textual evidence in support of claims

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this plot-based quiz covering Dino Buzzati’s allegorical short story titled “The Colomber.” This assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: A birthday request A description of a colomber The protagonist’s career choice Advice from the protagonist’s father Stefano’s perception of the colomber A gift from the colomber Qualities associated with the gift And more

Help high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the short story titled “Home” by Gwendolyn Brooks. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Examine the title of the narrative to make inferences about the author’s intent Discern the function of the opening paragraph Articulate the situational irony associated with a character’s vision of the future Contrast the characters of Helen and Maud Martha Analyze the author’s stylistic decision to offset a particular detail with em dashes Explain the intended meaning of a metaphor in context Articulate how Helen is a good example of dynamic character Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this plot-based quiz covering Gwendolyn Brooks’ short story titled “Home.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout 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: The length of time the family has lived in their home Mama and Helen’s reaction to the possibility of losing their home Papa’s plan during his lunch break Helen’s personal shame Maud Martha’s emotional state The task Mama will be relieved to stop doing Mama’s daily motto Papa’s nonverbal communication A description of Mama’s eyes The resolution

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 ironic short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, which is an especially suitable narrative during the Christmas and winter holiday seasons. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Infer the protagonist’s motivation to find the right gift for her husband Explore nuances in words with similar meanings Define complex words as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, hyperbole, and eye dialect Articulate the intended effect of repetition in the context of the exposition Explain the significance of the color brown in the context of a given excerpt Explore the significance of the number forty in the context of the story Conduct brief online research in order to answer questions as needed Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Explore how third person limited point of view contributes to plot development Examine the narrator’s tone in the context of a given excerpt Explain how a particular phrase is an example of paradox (“repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love”) Choose a relevant theme in the context of a given excerpt Argue whether the author’s stylistic choice to capitalize a common noun (Combs) is acceptable Identify and explain several examples of sexist stereotypes throughout the story Identify and explain an example of foreshadowing Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Cite textual evidence in support of claims

Gothic fiction and horror are genres that maximize many high school students’ engagement with literature. “In the Vault” by H.P. Lovecraft is one such short story. It features elements such as entrapment, mutilated corpses, and the avenging of wrongdoing—making the narrative a particularly chilling read during the Halloween season. This multiple choice quiz on “In the Vault” 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 narrator’s criticism of people A general description of the protagonist’s personality The protagonist’s work The characterization of Matthew Fenner The characterization of Asaph Sawyer The reason the protagonist gets trapped in the vault The duration of time the protagonist is trapped The protagonist’s initial reaction to being in the company of corpses A plan to escape the vault A complication that hinders progress Dr. Davis’s reaction to the protagonist’s injury The discovery as a result of an investigation

Help high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the short story titled “The Leap” by Louise Erdrich. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyze what the narrator’s dialogue reveals about her feelings toward her mother Explore character motivations Isolate an example of figurative language from among several sentences in the text Discern the intended effect of a given phrase (“one with the constant dark now”) Articulate how the author incorporates a plot twist Determine the function of a given paragraph Identify several narrative techniques used by the author to convey liveliness and urgency Determine what a character’s actions reveal about her psychological state Make logical inferences about the author’s beliefs based on the context of the story Articulate why the author chose “The Leap” as the title Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Exercise rational thought Cite textual evidence in support of claims

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Ray Bradbury’s science fiction short story titled “All Summer in a Day.” 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: A basic description of setting The protagonist’s birthplace The subject matter of the protagonist’s poem The protagonist’s reputation among her peers Qualities that distinguish the protagonist from her peers A physical description of the protagonist The intentions of the protagonist’s parents The reason the protagonist is in the closet The infrequency of the sun’s emergence Logical inferences to be drawn from the resolution

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 “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, metaphor, and personification 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “What the Moon Brings,” a piece featuring numerous compelling elements for high school students: a bizarre dreamscape, an anxious narrator, and the discovery of an underwater city. The briefness of the narrative makes it a helpful time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules, and 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 printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view Setting The narrator’s emotional reaction to the moon The narrator’s obsessiveness Transformative qualities of ordinary things The appearance of an animal in the distance A discovery in the water The smell that overwhelms the narrator’s senses A realization about the reef The narrator’s decision in the resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz on H.P. Lovecraft’s narrative “Cool Air,” a horror story featuring numerous compelling elements for high school students: medical experiments, the pursuit of immortality, and more. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the narrative. An answer key and copy of the short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The narrator’s reaction to cool air The narrator’s philosophical beliefs The reason the narrator moves from apartment to apartment The narrator’s treatment of his lodgemates Peculiar smells that permeate the building Mrs. Herrero’s role in the story How the narrator came to know Dr. Muñoz The narrator’s initial perception of Dr. Muñoz Dr. Muñoz’s beliefs concerning the power of human will Dr. Muñoz’s medical practices The reason Dr. Muñoz becomes a “gruesome companion” Dr. Muñoz’s independence A habit Dr. Muñoz develops The consequences of a broken refrigeration system A discovery in Dr. Muñoz’s apartment A stunning revelation