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 seventh 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 rationale for ceasing the parties Gatsby’s concerns that information about Daisy will be revealed A luncheon at Tom and Daisy’s house A revelation concerning Myrtle Tom’s confrontation with Gatsby Gatsby’s assured reaction to Tom’s confrontational behavior A surprise shift in Daisy’s feelings The death of Myrtle (what happened, who’s responsible, etc.) Gatsby’s desire to protect Daisy from Tom

With this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering the third 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 flamboyant nature of Gatsby’s parties The enduring mystery of Gatsby’s background Sensationalized rumors surrounding Gatsby Owl Eyes’ surprising realization about Gatsby’s books Nick and Gatsby’s shared past Nick’s characterization of Gatsby’s smile Gatsby’s manner of speaking to others Gatsby’s general behavior at his own party Gatsby’s request to see Jordan The drunken incident involving Owl Eyes Nick’s characterization of Jordan

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

Reduce teacher workload, measure general reading comprehension, and promote homework accountability with this printable quiz on “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following key ideas: Primary setting Rainsford’s hobby An inciting incident The characterization of the antagonist The protagonist’s initial impression of the antagonist The antagonist’s means of gathering his game The start of the hunt The antagonist’s motivations Rainsford’s successes The climax The resolution

Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Black Angel,” a short story by Nancy Springer. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting The reason for the Jersey Devil’s frustration Distinguishing characteristics of the nameless child The comparison of the Jersey Devil to another mythical being The reason for the nameless child’s presence in the woods Where the Jersey Devil takes the child The purpose of the Jersey Devil’s visit to the World Tree Dynamic character A new dynamic to the relationship between the child and the Jersey Devil The World Tree’s judgment of the Jersey Devil Symbolism

For many high school readers, realistic fiction maximizes interest in and engagement with literature. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is a quality example of the genre. In this short story, complicated family dynamics and a clash of cultures are addressed. This multiple choice quiz evaluates general reading comprehension and holds students accountable for completing assigned homework. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting A traumatic incident in the family’s past The reason Dee does not live with her mother and sister Maggie’s engagement Maggie’s emotional response to the return of her sister The reasons for Maggie’s self-consciousness Mama’s daydreaming A significant change in Dee’s life The nickname for Dee’s boyfriend Items in which Dee takes apparent interest The reason Mama will not permit Dee to take the items Dee’s parting words for her sister Mama and Maggie’s actions at the end of the story

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)

This is a 10-slide introductory PowerPoint covering various functions of journalists, including the political function, the economic function, the sentry function, the record-keeping function, the entertainment function, the social function, the marketplace function, and the agenda-setting function.

This editable assessment measures general comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Crow.” Delivered in Word Document format, this quiz includes an answer key. Learning targets addressed include: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate definition of fable. Students will demonstrate basic comprehension of the text. Students will demonstrate knowledge of literary terminology by applying the concept to the text. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the text’s theme by paraphrasing a logical message they discern.

This 8-slide PowerPoint is designed to provide students a brief introduction to the concepts of roots and formatives. This presentation addresses how learning about prefixes expands one's vocabulary, as well as how prefixes influence the meanings of words (e.g., reversing a verb's meaning, creating negative meaning, showing time and order, indicating location and degree, and expressing support or opposition).

This 25-question quiz has students match the meaning to an underlined root. A corresponding answer key is included.

This media project complements broadcast journalism courses or feature writing units. The primary objective of this project is for students to produce a feature segment on an extracurricular club of their choice, which may then be used by the school for promotional purposes. This project reinforces the principles of quality interviewing skills, as well as organization and prioritization of details using the inverted pyramid technique. Further, it promotes the conventions of broadcast writing. This .zip file contains all the materials I use for this project. The items are .docx files for easy editing. Included are: 1. A project description. 2. Brainstorming materials designed to maximize student learning about their chosen club (functionally speaking, a KWL). 3. A document on which students jot down open-ended questions to ask an interviewee, plus a reflective piece to ensure students have written quality questions. 4. A prewriting document designed to help students discern vital information from lesser information, aligned to the inverted pyramid concept. 5. An exemplar script modeling the conventions of writing for broadcast, plus instructions for how to write for broadcast. 6. An evaluation rubric.

For many high school readers, horror and supernatural fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Before I Wake” by Jim Cort features elements consistent with both genres: psychological deterioration, heightened emotions, grim imagery, a suspicious death, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “Before I Wake” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key is included, but since the short story is not in the public domain, purchasers are responsible for acquiring their own copy of the text. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following key details: Leonard Zanelli’s profession Events preceding David Conklin’s arrest A fear of falling asleep Details of Conklin’s terrifying dreams Physical effects of the dream Factors contributing to Conklin’s suicide The medical examiner’s report Details of Zanelli’s personal letter

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. This plot-based quiz covering the short story helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Susan Calvin’s disposition Linda Rash’s profession The nature of the relationship between the two professionals The name of the robot Linda’s efforts to improve the robot’s brain The reason Linda kept her work private The means by which the robot re-awakens The duration of the robot’s dreams The First, Second, and Third Laws of Robotics Alarming details of the robot’s dreams Susan’s motive for destroying the robot

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on writing numerals. Delivered in printable Word Document format, as well as in PDF format, this resource conveniently offers the option to edit. An answer key is provided. By completing this activity, students will demonstrate an ability to: Spell out single-digit whole numbers Use numerals for whole numbers larger than nine Spell out simple fractions and use hyphens Express mixed fractions in figures unless they begin a sentence Navigate the various acceptable ways to express decades and dates Distinguish between when it is most appropriate to spell out the time of day in text versus using numerals Hyphenate compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine Write out a number when it begins a sentence under all circumstances And more

This end-of-unit test covers the entirety of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. An answer key is included. With this assessment, which is delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, high school English Language Arts teachers will be able to evaluate students’ abilities to do the following: Accurately recall details associated with characters, setting, and plot Demonstrate awareness of historically relevant events Apply knowledge of various literary devices such as symbolism, oxymoron, personification, hyperbole, simile, metaphor, allusion, dynamic character, and more Analyze the greater significance of given quotes or details Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet covering 30 common word usage errors in high school writing and speech. Delivered in printable Word Document format, as well as in PDF format, this resource conveniently offers the option to edit. An answer key is provided. Usage principles covered include the following: accept vs. except advice vs. advise affect vs. effect all ready vs. already all right vs. alright all together vs. altogether allusion vs. illusion among vs. between amount vs. number anyway vs. anyways being as/that vs. since beside vs. besides could/would/should have vs. could/would/should of couldn’t care less vs. could care less each other vs. one another enthusiastic vs. enthused farther vs. fewer fewer vs. less good vs. well imply vs. infer in vs. into its vs. it’s lay vs. lie lose vs. loose principal vs. principle regardless vs. irregardless supposedly vs. supposably than vs. then who vs. whom whose vs. who’s

Support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this worksheet composed of challenging questions to complement “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this resource helps teachers save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is included, as well as a copy of the public domain short story. By completing this activity, students will do the following: Locate evidence in support of the claim that Rainsford lacks critical thinking abilities in the story’s exposition Locate evidence in support of the claim that Rainsford shows blatant disregard for potential threats in the story’s exposition Evaluate whether Rainsford believes he is better or worse off after encountering the anguished screams of a creature he cannot identify Articulate the irony in Rainsford’s inability to classify the aforementioned anguished screams, and how this detail allows readers make predictions about the plot Locate evidence in support of the claim that Rainsford and Zaroff share common traits Apply knowledge of verbal irony and articulate what makes the statement verbally ironic Apply knowledge of foreshadowing and articulate what an incident foreshadows

Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use Grimms’ fairy tales as tools for extending beyond reading comprehension and practicing close reading analysis skills. “Donkey Cabbages” by the Brothers Grimm is a representative short story that promotes active engagement with fiction. English Language Arts teachers may assign this set of rigorous questions to complement the story and evaluate students’ high-order skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Articulate what makes a particular character’s actions suspicious Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Select the most appropriate synonym to replace a word in the text Discern the greater significance of a given detail Articulate the irony associated with a given detail Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and juxtaposition Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Examine the authors’ diction to determine its intended effect Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision