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 2, 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 Discern the function of the scene Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron and situational irony Conduct brief research on Shakespeare’s life 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 4, 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 Discern the tone of the scene Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor 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 2, 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 Apply knowledge of literary devices such as dramatic 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

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 3, scene 2, this resource may serve as the basis for 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Articulate and analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Make logical inferences in context Analyze the nature of character relationships Determine the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Discern the function of the scene Articulate how dramatic irony applies to the scene Write with clarity 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 1, 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 Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, metaphor, and pun 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe. The quiz may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate more active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The narrator’s appreciation of analytical power Where the narrator had visited General character details about Dupin The narrator and Dupin’s shared appreciation for literature The narrator’s general perception of Dupin A quick development in the friendship between Dupin and the narrator The narrator’s fondness for moodiness and isolation A peculiar quality Dupin seems to have The details of a newspaper article The identities of two homicide victims General character details about Le Bon Dupin’s conclusions regarding the homicide

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter two journal entry dated May 18, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters develop and interact Analyze language to discern the intended effect Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole and metaphor Explore the author’s craft Support claims with relevant textual evidence and reasoning Write ideas with clarity and precision And more

Go beyond reading comprehension with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Covering a chapter one journal entry dated May 11, this resource supports the development of high school close reading skills and facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters develop and interact Analyze language to discern the intended effect Apply knowledge of literary devices including pun Make logical inferences about the protagonist’s modes of thinking Discern the main function of a given excerpt

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Stephen Vincent Benet’s short story titled “By the Waters of Babylon.” The assessment 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 protagonist’s community Societal expectations The destruction of the Place of the Gods A valuable resource Restrictions on who may access the valuable resource A sign that indicates to the protagonist that she should travel The protagonist’s personal motivations The protagonist’s philosophy on life Setting The former inhabitants of the Place of the Gods Theme

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan. The resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. 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: Setting The protagonist’s perception of herself Frustrations the protagonist faces in life A Christmas gift The mother’s reaction to the Christmas gift Waverly’s internal and external conflicts How characters influence one another Qualities of the art of invisible strength The effects of success on the protagonist’s daily life

“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

For many high school readers, horror and psychological fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier features elements consistent with both genres: an isolated setting, killings without clear motivations, the suggestion of humanity’s imminent extinction, and more. This editable, multiple choice quiz covering “The Birds” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key is included. Materials delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The reason the protagonist only works part-time The nature of the protagonist’s work A description of the protagonist’s personality A description of the setting A detail that foreshadows the first avian attack on the protagonist’s family The protagonist’s observations on the morning following the first attack Others’ reactions to the protagonist’s account The protagonist’s disposal of the birds’ corpses Information provided in a special bulletin Official theories explaining why the birds are traveling farther south A predictor of avian attacks The effects of military combat against the enemy The protagonist’s ponderings in the resolution The protagonist’s final act in the resolution

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 29, 30, and 31 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: bide, blandly, bleakly, competent, connive, elude, evident, farthest, perforated, reprimand, stolidly, timid, trudge, turmoil, and woes. 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 chapters 27 and 28 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: dismay, florid, incantation, irascible, keenly, mercifully, mournfully, nondescript, notoriety, purloin, solitary, stealthily, and untrammeled. 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 chapters 24, 25, and 26 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. (Alternatively, a Google Drive option is available.) Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: adjourn, apprehension, brevity, dainty, duress, editorial, impertinence, ordeals, persecution, sibilant, spurious, and varmint. 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 chapters 21, 22, and 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: acquittal, appeal, credibility, fatalistic, feral, fretfully, furtive, grudge, impassive, indignant, inquire, peeved, resolve, ruefully, scurry, tranquil, vividly, and wrathfully. 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 chapters 19 and 20 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: caliber, candid, corroborative, discreet, expunge, idle, impudent, indict, industrious, instinctively, iota, meditations, murmur, perpetuate, sneer, subtlety, temerity, 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 16, 17, and 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: acrimonious, affluent, ambidextrous, amiable, concede, eccentricity, elucidate, evoke, genially, haughty, mollify, serene, shrill, strenuous, sulk, tedious, unobtrusive, and weary. 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 chapters 14 and 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: acquiescence, begrudge, bestow, futility, impassive, infallible, oblivious, obscure, pensive, placid, rankle, reverent, succinct, uncouth, and venerable. 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 chapters 12 and 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: altercation, appalling, austere, clad, contemptuously, convey, curt, denunciation, diligently, elusive, formidable, frivolous, garish, habiliments, haughty, mutter, myopic, obliquely, prerogative, qualm, tactful, and tedious. 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