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.
Conclude a unit on 1984 by George Orwell with this printable summative assessment. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this test includes 65 multiple choice questions. In addition to objective questions on character, plot, literary devices, and passage analysis, an essay section is featured, requiring high school students to analyze plot development, character development, and theme development. An answer key is included with sample essay responses.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate an ability to:
Correctly identify characters based on given details and descriptions
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, personification, oxymoron, allusion, situational irony, and more
Analyze passages and make logical inferences in the context of those passages
Write two brief essays in which students defend claims with relevant textual evidence and adhere to the standard conventions of written English
Conclude a unit on The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald with this printable summative assessment. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this test includes 60 multiple choice questions. In addition to objective questions on character, plot, literary devices, and passage analysis, an essay section is featured, requiring high school students to analyze a given passage for character development and symbolism. An answer key is included with sample essay responses. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate an ability to:
Correctly identify characters based on given details and descriptions
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, personification, oxymoron, and more
Analyze passages and make logical inferences in the context of those passages
Write a brief essay in which students defend claims with relevant textual evidence and adhere to the standard conventions of written English
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of three plot-based quizzes covering H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Call of Cthulhu.” This set of materials may double as guided reading handouts to promote active engagement with fiction. Answer keys and a copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The identity of the narrator
The narrator’s relation to Angell
Angell’s profession
The true cause of Angell’s death
General assumptions about the nature of Angell’s death
The narrator’s inheritance
Characteristics of the sculpture the narrator receives
The identity of a young sculptor
A general character description of Wilcox
The effects of a natural disaster
Angell’s curiosity about Wilcox
The reason Wilcox stops visiting Angell
The narrator’s attitude toward Wilcox
The collective experiences of artists and authors
Legrasse’s home base
Characteristics of the idol Legrasse possesses
The academics’ collective reaction to the idol
Professor Webb’s travels
Legrasse’s account of the cultists
Characteristics of the idol the cultists appear to worship
The cultists’ name for bizarre beings
The supposed origin of the strange beings
The current location of the bizarre beings
The manner of communication between the beings and humans
The beings’ specific messages for humanity
The cultists’ belief concerning the fate of humanity
The narrator’s belief concerning his great uncle’s death
The name of an important newspaper
The content of an article in the newspaper
The name of a ship Johansen and his peers attack
The narrator’s travels around the world
The identity of a Johansen relative whom the narrator meets
The true cause of Johansen’s death
What the narrator receives as a result of his visit to Norway
The bizarre characteristic of a city Johansen visits
The comparison between Cthulhu and a Greek mythological figure
Events leading to Briden’s death
A major decision Johansen makes
The result of the major decision
What the narrator decides to do with the records he has acquired
The narrator’s assessment of his own fate
For many high school readers, realistic and multicultural fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “The Good Deed” by Pearl S. Buck is a realistic short story that exposes high school readers to different cultural perspectives on marriage and family dynamics. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is 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 and implicitly
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, aposiopesis, antonomasia, and more
Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact
Make logical inferences based on characterization details provided by the author
Articulate the symbolic value of a particular object
Evaluate whether young Mr. Pan exhibits rational or irrational behaviors when handling emotionally intense situations
Identify examples of old Mrs. Pan’s culture shock
Choose the best synonym to replace a word as it is used in the story
Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore the intended effect of the author’s phrasing
Articulate Lili’s internal conflict
Discern the greater significance of a seemingly insignificant detail
Choose a statement with which a character is most likely to agree
Isolate details that suggest a favorable outcome
Examine old Mrs. Pan’s transformation into a dynamic character
Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Eliminate assessment planning responsibilities and evaluate high school students’ knowledge of plot and literary craft with this summative test covering William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. An answer key is included, as well as a standards-based rubric for scoring a thematic essay response tied to a significant quotation (“Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides, / Who covers faults at last with shame derides”). Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students are responsible for demonstrating an understanding of the following characters, details, concepts, and quotes:
Cordelia
Goneril
Regan
King Lear
Edmund
Edgar
Kent
Albany
Cornwall
The Fool
Gloucester
Oswald
The King of France
Tom of Bedlam
The play’s setting
Edmund’s status as an illegitimate child and associated consequences
Edmund’s promotion to Earl of Gloucester
Cornwall’s torture of Gloucester
Edgar’s philosophies on life
Edmund’s desire to kill his father
King Lear’s epiphany regarding power and its benefits
King Lear’s imprisonment
Metaphor
Simile
Foreshadowing
Situational irony
Dramatic irony
Paradox
Alliteration
Hyperbole
Personification
Internal conflict
External conflict
Dynamic character
Symbolism
“Nothing will come from nothing.” (Act 1, scene 1)
“I love your Majesty / According to my bond; no more no less.” (Act 1, scene 1)
“Let his knights have colder looks among you.” (Act 1, scene 3)
“Fortune, good night; smile once more; turn thy wheel!” (Act 2, scene 2)
“The younger rises when the old doth fall.” (Act 3, scene 3)
“I will have my revenge ere I depart this house.” (Act 3, scene 5)
“Out, vile jelly!” (Act 3, scene 7)
“I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; / I stumbled when I saw.” (Act 4, scene 1)
“Was this a face / To be opposed against the warring winds?”(Act 4, scene 7)
“You have some cause; they have not.”(Act 4, scene 7)
“Ripeness is all.” (Act 5, scene 2)
“My master calls me, I must not say no.” (Act 5, scene 3)
Eliminate assessment planning responsibilities and evaluate high school students’ knowledge of plot and literary craft with this summative test covering William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included, as well as a standards-based rubric for scoring essays in response to a prompt about Macbeth’s moral deterioration and the variables contributing to it. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
This low-prep, standards-based project helps high school students investigate topics and deliver informative speeches related to Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. It also helps students contextualize the events of the novel by calling attention to 30 relevant topics - from scientific advancements (such as the cloning of Dolly the sheep and the sequencing of human genes) to scientific theories (such as those involving efforts to achieve de-extinction and those seeking to understand the parenting methods of dinosaurs), and from humanity’s influence on its environment (such as the effects of plastic bag pollution and nuclear fallout) to ethical dilemmas (such as humanity’s tendency to treat animals as commodities). Supporting materials, such as a detailed scoring rubric, are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this set of three rigorous worksheets covering H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Call of Cthulhu,” a narrative of special appeal to those interested in horror, science fiction, and the supernatural. Each worksheet corresponds to a particular section of the story (“The Horror in Clay,” “The Tale of Inspector Legrasse,” and “The Madness from the Sea”). Answer keys and a copy of the public domain text are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
These resources may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these close reading activities, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Determine the tone of a particular passage
Discern the author’s intent and its effect on readers.
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including idiom, euphemism, simile, metaphor, invective, personification, hubris, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia
Draw parallels between “The Call of Cthulhu” and the epic The Odyssey
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
For many high school readers, horror and supernatural fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe features elements consistent with both genres: a Gothic mansion, psychological deterioration, heightened emotions, grim imagery, and more. With this bundle of high school resources covering “The Fall of the House of Usher,” English teachers will save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; the public domain narrative; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore dominant character traits and motivations
Examine how complex characters think, behave, and interact
Determine the greater significance of a given detail
Apply knowledge of various sound and literary devices including alliteration, personification, euphemism, foreshadowing, situational irony, hyperbole, epiphany, juxtaposition, and more
Articulate the intended effects of various sound devices, literary devices, and figurative expressions
Analyze Poe’s use of descriptive language to infer the author’s intent
Conduct brief research on Swiss painter Henry Fuseli to develop greater understanding of Poe’s allusion to him
Explore the connection between the plot of the short story and the content of the poem titled “The Haunted Palace”
Examine how the author successfully intensifies suspense in the context of a passage
Analyze the connotative significance of the narrator’s labeling Roderick a hypochondriac
Identify details that contribute to a dreamlike or nightmarish atmosphere
Discern the functions of particular details
Make logical inferences about the resolution
Defend claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
This end-of-unit test covers ten short stories for high school: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs, “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury, “The Good Deed” by Peal S. Buck, “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by Stephen Vincent Benet, “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry, “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” by Katherine Anne Porter, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain, “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and “A Journey” by Edith Wharton. A test prep guide, answer key, and standards-aligned essay rubric are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Match the author’s name to his or her work
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place in a variety of stories
Relate themes to narratives
Match relevant vocabulary terms to their definitions
Respond to a thematically significant essay prompt
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
This end-of-unit test covers ten short stories for high school: “Charles” by Shirley Jackson, “The Interlopers” by Saki, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, “Dead Men’s Path” by Chinua Achebe, “Home” by Gwendolyn Brooks, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Dinner Party” by Mona Gardner, “The No-Guitar Blues” by Gary Soto, “Three Wise Guys” by Sandra Cisneros, and “All the Years of Her Life” by Morley Callaghan. A test prep guide, answer key, and standards-aligned essay rubric are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Match the author’s name to his or her work
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place in a variety of stories
Relate themes to narratives
Match relevant vocabulary terms to their definitions
Respond to a thematically significant essay prompt
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
This end-of-unit test pairs with a low-prep bundle and covers ten short stories for high school: “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury, “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing, “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson, “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl, “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets” by Jack Finney, “The Leap” by Louise Erdrich, “The Colomber” by Dino Buzzati, and “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. A test prep guide, answer key, and standards-aligned essay rubric are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Match the author’s name to his or her work
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place in a variety of stories
Relate themes to narratives
Match relevant vocabulary terms to their definitions
Respond to a thematically significant essay prompt
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
This end-of-unit test covers ten short stories for high school: “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, “Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, “The Challenge” by Gary Soto, “Games at Twilight” by Anita Desai, and “Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara. A test prep guide, answer key, and standards-aligned essay rubric are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Match the author’s name to his or her work
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place in a variety of stories
Relate themes to narratives
Match relevant vocabulary terms to their definitions
Respond to a thematically significant essay prompt
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
With this test covering the entirety of the science fiction novel Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, English teachers will evaluate students’ knowledge of characters, plot, and vocabulary. In addition, students will demonstrate character analysis skills by drafting a five-paragraph essay in which they argue whether John Hammond is a sympathetic or unsympathetic figure. A test preparation guide, standards-based writing rubric, and answer key are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place throughout the novel
Respond to an essay prompt about John Hammond’s characterization
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure reading comprehension with this bundle of printable quizzes covering the entirety of Bette Greene’s historical fiction novel Summer of My German Soldier. Multiple choice versions and short answer alternatives are provided in addition to answer keys. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. With these resources, middle and high school students will demonstrate general knowledge of characters, setting, historical context, and plot.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a particular passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and situational irony
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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” by the Brothers Grimm (also called “Little Red Cap”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, assonance, sibilance, dramatic irony, and situational irony
Determine the primary function of the epilogue
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
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
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.
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Determine the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the functions of given details
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, foreshadowing, situational irony, and symbolism
Conduct brief online research on a relevant topic (Ethan Allen) in order to answer a question about plot
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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Determine the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
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 euphemism, foreshadowing, simile, and more
Consider themes in context
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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the sci-fi short story “The Star” by H.G. Wells. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys 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 engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
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 including alliteration, personification, simile, and more
Generate a relevant theme and support how it is developed
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