Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this set of printable quizzes on O. Henry’s short story titled “The Gift of the Magi.” A multiple choice option and alternate short answer version are included, along with answer keys and a copy of the public domain narrative. All materials are delivered in a zip file as Word Documents and PDFs. Questions pertain to the following important details/concepts:
The protagonist’s financial struggles
The narrator’s commentary on the nature of life
Jim’s income reduction
Della’s intentions with the money she has
The characters’ most prized possessions
Madame Sofronie’s role in the story
Della’s emotional state as she shops
Della’s purchase for Jim
Della’s habit
Jim’s reaction to receiving Della’s gift
Jim’s purchase for Della
Parallels between the characters and the magi
Situational irony (irony of result) the magi
Situational irony (irony of result)
With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the fourth 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:
The purpose of Nick’s list
The apparent inconsistencies in Gatsby’s autobiography
Gatsby’s proof to assuage Nick’s skepticism
Gatsby’s interaction with a police officer
Meyer Wolfsheim’s questionable background
Nick’s new assumption concerning Gatsby’s wealth
Gatsby’s motive to move into his West Egg mansion
A revelation concerning the green light across the water
A request Gatsby makes of Jordan
With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the sixth 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 biography
Gatsby’s college experience
Gatsby’s job to pay for college
Gatsby meeting Dan Cody
Dan Cody’s influence on Gatsby
Tom’s presence in Gatsby’s house
Tom’s suspicions of Gatsby
Nick’s insight concerning Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship
The death of a dream
With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the first 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:
Nick’s personal background
Nick’s self perception
Nick’s perception of Gatsby
The setting
Nick’s career
The contrast between West Egg and East Egg
Nick’s academic background
A character description of Daisy
A character description of Tom
A character description of Jordan
The green light in the distance
Folktales and legends are short story subgenres that appeal to many teenage readers who appreciate the fantasy genre. “The Silver Pool” by Ella Young is a legendary tall tale focusing on the quest of an Irish folk hero, Fionn MacCumhail, who aspires to become a leader. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Silver Pool” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. 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:
Elements of legends
Fionn’s desire to become a strong man
The Salmon of Knowledge
The King’s Poet
Ireland’s art, etiquette, and heroes
Discovered treasure
The consequence of a significant action
A sudden realization
The fulfillment of a prophecy
Situational irony (or irony of result)
For many high school readers, age-appropriate fantasy and fairy tale fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. With this worksheet composed of rigorous questions on “Hansel and Gretel” by the Brothers Grimm, English teachers will help students extend beyond reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative (estimated Lexile Range 810-1000) are 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 as well as implicitly
Analyze dialogue to discern how a character uses manipulative tactics to achieve a goal
Analyze characterization to discern and articulate a dominant internal conflict in the text
Apply knowledge of alliteration to the text
Analyze the authors’ word choices to discern and articulate how these choices create the literary device of paradox
Identify several examples of simile in the text
Apply knowledge of dramatic irony to the text, discerning and articulating how it manifests
Apply knowledge of situational irony to the text, discerning and articulating how it manifests
Apply knowledge of foreshadowing to the text, explaining what is foreshadowed and how
Write with clarity and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 8 and 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements:
Scout’s reaction to the weather
The snowman/mudman
The house catching fire
Miss Maudie’s peculiar reaction to the house fire
The blanket wrapped around Scout
Scout’s reaction upon a disturbing discovery
Beating up Cecil Jacobs
Christmas gifts
Scout’s punishment
Atticus discussing the trial with Uncle Jack
Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of adventure fiction, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, and use this set of rigorous questions to promote close reading analysis skills. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Explore the author’s narrative techniques such as increasing the frequency of shorter, choppier sentences as the narrative reaches its climax
Determine author’s intent in writing that the protagonist’s limitation is that he is without imagination
Identify the protagonist’s motivation in continuing despite extremely harsh conditions
Draw logical inferences based on the fact that the dog “knew it was no time for traveling” and “its instinct told it a truer tale than was told to the man by the man’s judgment”
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and simile
Locate textual evidence in support of claims associated with the protagonist’s self-awareness
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 4 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:
Othello’s rage-fueled trance
Iago’s conspiracy to make Othello think Cassio loves Desdemona
Iago’s barbarous suggestion regarding Desdemona’s fate
The letter from Venice
Lodovico’s witnessing Othello’s abusive behavior
Emilia’s verbal exchange with Othello
Othello’s confrontation with Desdemona
Desdemona turning to Iago for help
Roderigo’s frustration with Iago
The arrangement Iago makes for Roderigo
Desdemona’s foreshadowing fear
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 4 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 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 engaging with this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Determine the greater significance of a given detail
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, personification, allusion, and situational irony
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 5 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 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 engaging with this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole
Isolate the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 10 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 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 engaging with this resource, students will do the following:
Analyze the relationship between Scout and Atticus at this point in the novel
Discern the meaning of complex vocabulary and phrases in context, taking into consideration both denotative definitions and connotative associations.
Identify what the text says explicitly as well as implicitly about killing mockingbirds
Identify what Scout means when she refers to a “generous target”
Draw a logical inference about a character in the context of a given passage
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 14 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 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 engaging with this resource, students will perform the following tasks:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern the tone of a particular excerpt
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Apply knowledge of literary devices and figurative language
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. 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
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
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 such as foreshadowing, pun, and dramatic irony
Choose the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Consider relevant themes in the context of the scene
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. 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
Compare elements of this scene to the preceding scene
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques (with emphasis on repetition)
Describe tone in context
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 5, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. 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
Compare aspects of this scene with aspects of a previous scene (Act 3.5)
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the tone of the scene
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, metaphor, personification, and situational irony
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. 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
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Argue whether Friar Laurence’s decision to assist Juliet is consistent or inconsistent with his moral and religious duty
Reflect on a previous scene to articulate how an aspect of Friar Laurence’s plan was foreshadowed
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 5, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. 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
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
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 foreshadowing
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. 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 both explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
Discern tone in context
Define challenging words as they are used in the text
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Consider the symbolic meaning of sleep in context
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including hyperbole and simile
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the primary function of an excerpt
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate flaws in a character’s logic
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, and situational irony
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 Shakespearean drama