Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Kurt Vonnegut’s short story titled “The Lie.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and 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 states explicitly and implicitly Explore character motivations Make logical inferences about a character’s values and beliefs Explain how point of view shapes the reader’s understanding of plot Articulate how one character serves as a foil to another State two significant conflicts in the story Defend the claim that Mrs. Remenzel is a good mother despite her shortcomings Explore the similarities between the protagonist and his father Generate a relevant theme that relates to the idea of embarrassment Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, realistic fiction is a genre that maximizes relatability and engagement with literature. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is a story about self-image, generational clashes, cultural conflicts, and more. 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 Analyze the narrator’s sense of self-image Explore the author’s use of language to convey a sense of realism Apply knowledge of various literary devices including but not limited to dialect, syncope, and malapropism Contrast how two characters perceive the concept of heritage Analyze why the narrator takes offense to another character’s actions and evaluate whether her reaction is justified Examine how point of view shapes the readers’ understanding of Dee’s character Apply objectivity in order to infer a character’s true motivations Articulate the greater significance of a given detail (Maggie’s smile) Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” (also called “Little Red Cap”). Alternatively, the assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How people generally perceive Little Red Cap Grandmother’s expressions of affection The items Little Red Cap is instructed to bring Grandmother The reason for the delivery of items Mother’s advice to Little Red Cap Little Red Cap’s initial reaction to meeting the wolf The wolf’s methods of manipulating Little Red Cap Signs of danger at Grandmother’s house The reason the huntsman does not shoot the wolf The rescuing of Little Red Cap and her grandmother How Little Red Cap gets justice The huntsman’s reward for his efforts Information provided in the epilogue

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering a classic Grimm’s fairy tale titled “The Fox and the Horse.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with the short story. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How age has affected the protagonist The seemingly insurmountable challenge the protagonist faces The protagonist’s emotional state The role of the fox in terms of assisting the horse The execution of a plan to resolve the protagonist’s conflict The resolution

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 short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst. 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 Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Discern the function of a particular paragraph Describe the tone of a particular excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop List several similarities between Doodle and the scarlet ibis Conduct brief research to make sense of setting and an allusion Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, idiom, personification, dramatic irony, hubris, and more Explore the traditional symbolism associated with rain in order to make sense of the phrase “heresy of rain” as it is used in the story 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 students, humorous fiction, tall tales, and satire are types of literature that maximize interest and engagement. “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by Stephen Vincent Benet is a representative short story with great literary and academic merit. With this set of rigorous questions to complement the reading of “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” English Language Arts teachers will help students exercise close reading analysis skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, metaphor, simile, allusion, and onomatopoeia Discern the intended effect of the author’s word choices Analyze a given detail to discern what it foreshadows Identify several textual details in support of the claim that the stranger is the devil Explain the complication that threatens to derail the trial for both Daniel Webster and Jabez Stone Articulate how Daniel Webster overcomes the aforementioned complication Identify several details that convey Daniel Webster’s personal strength. Write with clarity and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Morley Callaghan’s “All the Years of Her Life,” a short story focusing on how a young son’s behavior influences the psychological state of his loving mother. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting Conflict The background of the protagonist How complex characters interact

For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Geraldine Moore the Poet” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a girl with unfavorable life circumstances who is on the verge of an important self-discovery: that she has a natural talent for expressing herself poetically. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English Language Arts 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 Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, idiom, and ambiguity Articulate the function of a given detail Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Demonstrate awareness of the narrative’s inciting incident Articulate the symbolism associated with Geraldine’s being offered tomato soup Choose an opinion with which Geraldine is most likely to agree Evaluate the qualities that make Geraldine’s poem “the most poetic thing” Argue whether Geraldine or Mrs. Scott experiences the greatest epiphany Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, realistic, historical, and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a Black family whose ways of life are being infringed upon by opportunistic, politically motivated filmmakers. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English Language Arts 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 Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Infer character motivations Articulate the function of a specific character (Cathy) Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, idiom, and onomatopoeia Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Choose an opinion with which Granny would most likely agree based on an anecdote she shares with her family Determine which character or characters are represented in the character of Goldilocks Identify several ways in which the filmmakers dehumanize Granny and members of her family Draw parallels between the American folk hero John Henry and the character of Granddaddy Cain Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision