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 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 apparent contradictions in dialogue Define complex words and phrases in context Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Applying knowledge of literary devices including situational irony 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 literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering a meaningful excerpt from Act 4, scene 3, 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 Define complex words and phrases in context Discern the greater significance of a given detail Determine the function of a particular excerpt Discern tone in context Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion

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 1, scene 7, 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 tone in context Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s language and narrative techniques Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices such as hyperbole and dramatic irony 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 literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering an excerpt from Act 2, scene 3, 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 tone in context Determine the function of a given passage Define challenging words as they are used in the text Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare characters in the play Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion and situational irony 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 literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 5, scene 5, 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 Define challenging words and phrases in context Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s diction Discern tone in context Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on metaphor 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 1, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. 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 and implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the primary function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast two characters (Cassius and Casca) Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on 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 dramatic works

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter two of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in this exercise, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Draw reasoned inferences about character intent Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter three of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in this exercise, students will… Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader Determine tone in context Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context Draw reasoned inferences about character intent Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Leslie Marmon Silko’s short story “The Man to Send Rain Clouds.” 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 and implicitly Discern and articulate Leon’s motivation to keep Teofilo’s death a secret Analyze Louise’s actions to discern and articulate what they reveal about her mindset Analyze how character interactions contribute to the development of internal conflict Locate textual evidence in support of the claim that the priest is not very familiar with his community Articulate a reason for Leon to feel content Make a claim about character beliefs in the context of the entire narrative Apply knowledge of symbolism, choosing an object that represents an abstract and significant idea Write with clarity, logic, and precision

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Clever Gretel.” An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Consult reference materials to learn or verify meanings of challenging words Describe tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Articulate contradictions made evident by the protagonist’s behavior Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony and foreshadowing 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 responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Imp of the Perverse” by Edgar Allan Poe, a piece of horror and psychological fiction that explores the impulse to do wrong for wrong’s sake alone. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative, which is especially fitting for the Halloween season, are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The principles of phrenology The narrator’s assessment of phrenology The narrator’s understanding of perverseness The location from which the narrator shares his account The means by which the narrator committed his crime How the narrator learned of the murder method The immediate results of the murder How the narrator’s mind shifts over time The narrator’s repeated motto How the public comes to learn of the narrator’s crime The narrator’s ponderings in the resolution

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 4 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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 says explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Consider the greater significance of given details Discern the primary function of a particular journal entry Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on epiphany, situational irony, personification, alliteration, and diacope Conduct brief research on gypsies in order to to explain why Harker believes they may be helpful to him Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 3 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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 says explicitly and implicitly Discern the primary purpose of a given paragraph Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on epiphany, oxymoron, and dramatic irony Explain how gender norms of 19th Century England are broken Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this self-grading quiz covering the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. The resource 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 identities of the individuals who share devastating news with Louise The apparent manner of Brently’s death Louise’s medical concerns The effect of the news on Louise’s mental, emotional, and psychological states Louise’s assessment of her husband upon reflection Brently’s general demeanor toward Louise The author’s incorporation of imagery A surprising discovery The consequence of the surprising discovery The doctors’ judgment of what happens to Louise

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of quizzes covering chapters 17 through 29 of Feed by M.T. Anderson, a dystopian science fiction novel. A multiple choice quiz and answer key are provided, as well as a short answer alternative option for re-assessment. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to details from the sections titled “Release” (chapter 17) through “A Day in the Country” (chapter 29): Violet’s excitement Unique terminology for deliberately causing one’s feed to malfunction The condition of Violet’s feedware Titus’s dreams Violet’s beliefs about corporate influence on society Violet’s behavior at the mall Characteristics associated with School™ Violet’s classification of America’s system of government How Titus’s parents try to cheer him up The fate of the hacker from earlier in the novel The reason Violet’s father speaks the way he does An unsettling question asked by Violet

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 2, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. 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. With this close reading activity, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Describe tone in context Discern the intended effect of figurative expressions in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Discern the main function of a given passage Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 5 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. Additionally, a short answer worksheet is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Iago’s concern that Roderigo could expose him Iago’s irrational jealousy of Cassio Cassio’s injury Fatal wounds The arrest of Bianca Othello’s verbal exchange with Desdemona The subsequent killing Emilia’s news The brief revival of a character The ensuing stabbings, one fatal Othello’s subsequent perception of himself The fatal flaw of the hero

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. 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 close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words/phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials Determine the primary function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony Conduct brief research on Bethlem Royal Hospital Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

“The Challenge” by Gary Soto is a coming-of-age short story highlighting the importance of authenticity and unconditional acceptance of others for who they are. This plot-based quiz complements the narrative and helps English teachers evaluate general reading comprehension while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The protagonist’s motivations The protagonist’s attention-seeking behavior Estela’s nickname The protagonist’s impression of Estela The protagonist’s narrow-mindedness Estela’s general characterization The protagonist’s efforts to impress Estela Incidents that occur during the racquetball game The resolution

Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the science fiction short story “Backward Step” by Paul Jennings. An answer key is included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The television program John watches What John’s mom does that makes her feel very guilty A teenage boy’s desperate plea for John’s mom to read a book John’s status as a famous child John’s sudden appearance in a classroom John’s family background An attempt to help John find his home A visit to the police station John’s grandmother, who agrees to take John in John’s unique capabilities (time travel)