Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Act 4, scene 7, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. By engaging with this close reading analysis activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the function of a given passage Determine the tone of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris, personification, metaphor, and irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Act 4, scene 6, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. By engaging with this close reading analysis activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the function of a given detail Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, hyperbole, metaphor, and more Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 2 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. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The end of the war with the Turks Iago’s emphasis on Cassio’s friendliness toward Desdemona Cassio’s weakness Iago’s taking advantage of Cassio’s weakness The consequences of Cassio’s actions Othello’s ironic perspective on Iago’s character Cassio seeking advice from one he considers his closest friend Iago’s next manipulative move involving Desdemona

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 3 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. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Cassio’s verbal exchange with Desdemona Iago encouraging Othello’s suspicions toward Desdemona Desdemona’s requests for Othello to forgive Cassio Othello’s insistence that Iago tell him everything he knows Iago’s underhanded behaviors and statements Othello’s statements on marital trust and jealousy The retrieval of Desdemona’s handkerchief Othello’s mounting suspicions Othello’s ultimatum to Iago Desdemona’s frustrations

Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques Discern the tone of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Consider themes in context 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 works of Shakespeare

Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the tone of a given excerpt Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 1, 2, and 3 of Mary Shelley’s science fiction novel Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Victor’s childhood upbringing The adoption of Elizabeth The reason Victor’s parents give up their wandering ways Henry Clerval’s role in Victor’s life Victor’s interest in science Caroline’s dying wish Victor’s pursuit of an education The nature of Krempe’s interaction with Victor Waldman’s role in Victor’s life

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 26 through 29 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “Edna’s Ruthie,” “The Earl of Tennessee,” “Sire,” and “Four Skinny Trees.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Ruthie’s friendship with Esperanza and her friends Ruthie’s marriage The characterization of Edna Ruthie and Esperanza’s common interest in writing The characterization of Earle Sire, the boy Esperanza likes and her parents dislike Esperanza’s feelings toward Lois Esperanza’s sense of self Esperanza’s comparison to trees The reason behind the comparison

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 30 through 33 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “No Speak English,” “Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut and Papaya Juice on Tuesday,” “Sally,” and “Minerva Writes Poems.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The characterization of Mamacita The cause of Mamacita’s isolation, according to Esperanza Esperanza’s father’s personal accounts regarding learning English Rafaela’s husband and his poor treatment of her Coconut and papaya juice The characterization of Sally Esperanza’s apparent admiration of Sally An assessment of Sally’s marriage Similarities between Esperanza and Sally Sally’s request for advice and Esperanza’s response

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “Grandmother,” which centers on themes of appreciating one’s elders and the fleeting nature of physical life. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view Grandmother’s physical characteristics What the narrator appreciates most about Grandmother Prized possessions A significant memory The nature of Grandmother’s passing How Grandmother’s memory is honored The narrator’s perspective on burials and the dead

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Wolf and the Fox,” a cautionary story about the consequences of impulsiveness. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The reason the fox is subservient to the wolf The demands the wolf makes of the fox The fox’s assessment of the wolf’s behavior The consequences of the wolf’s actions The resolution And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Cat and Mouse in Partnership,” a cautionary story about manipulative and predatory behavior. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Circumstances under which the cat and mouse decide to live together Preparations for the winter The hiding place of provisions The cat’s deceptive behavior The mouse’s suspicion of the cat The fate of the mouse And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle,” a narrative addressing the values of hard work and devotion. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The maiden’s tragic life circumstances The old woman’s work The last advice of the old woman The maiden’s work The prince’s internal conflict The prince’s initial sighting of the maiden A distinguishing characteristic of the prince The effects of the maiden’s song The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Old Tombstone,” a narrative that conveys one method by which beauty may always exist in the world despite humanity’s tendency to be ruinous. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting How a family came into possession of several tombstones The general purposes of the tombstones Imagery associated with the tombstone The reputation of an old couple A character’s reminiscences The fate of the old couple’s house The old man’s belief on what happens to all things The effect of the grandfather’s account Prevalent imagery Theme

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (chapters 31, 32, 33, and 34). A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: anguished, appease, camaraderie, diffuse, fruitful, gaiety, ignominious, indifferent, indignity, luxuriate, palpable, querulous, respectively, smoldering, squeamish, subversive, transgression, and whimper. 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 dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (chapters 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39). A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: apathetic, bedraggled, conspicuously, deferential, evasive, frivolous, frowzy, inscrutable, jocularity, juvenile, lurid, martyr, monotony, precarious, procure, sneer, sulky, and volition. 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 middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Fox and the Cat,” a cautionary story about hubris and its consequences. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the supporting activity upholds rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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 Describe the tone of a given excerpt Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Consider the greater significance of a given detail Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on hubris, invective, and metaphor Explore themes in context

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Fox and the Cat,” a cautionary story about hubris and its consequences. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The characters’ first impressions of each other The cat’s question of the fox The fox’s question of the cat The cat’s self-proclaimed talent The fox’s self-proclaimed talents The fox’s offer to the cat The fate of the cat And more

Promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells (book 1, chapters 11 through 17). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting How the narrator survives the heat ray New threats facing the narrator General characterization of the narrator’s brother The reason news of the invasion has not spread farther The fixation of the minister How the narrator’s brother escapes the aliens Details concerning “Thunder Child” Ominous observations by the narrator’s brother

With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the fifth chapter of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. A short answer version is also provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Gatsby’s efforts to convince Nick to arrange a reunion Gatsby’s gratitude to Nick for agreeing Daisy’s humorous response to Nick’s request that Tom not join Examples of Gatsby’s self-conscious and nervous behavior Daisy’s being brought to tears Gatsby’s long nights outside staring at the green light Klipspringer A characterization of Gatsby’s mansion