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.
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this complete bundle of worksheets composed of inference questions covering every individual scene in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. These resources will encourage students to analyze how complex characters develop, explore character motivations, interpret figurative expressions, apply knowledge of literary devices, develop greater confidence in decoding Shakespearean language, and much more. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in a zip file containing printable Word Document and PDF versions.
Use these resources for independent or small group engagement with the text; they may lead to thoughtful discussions that contribute meaningfully to a culture of active learning in high school English classrooms. With these instructional materials, students will demonstrate the following:
An ability to define complex vocabulary in context
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships
An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more
An ability to identify the function of a particular passage
An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim
An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail
An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly
An ability to write with clarity 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 1, scene 5, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and emphasizing Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy. 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
Infer the intended effect of Shakespeare’s figurative language
Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text
Discern tone in context
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and foreshadowing
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 3, of Hamlet 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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consider the greater significance of given details
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony, simile, and metaphor
Determine the tone of a given passage
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this rigorous worksheet covering the short story “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathaniel Hawthorne (estimated Lexile Measure range of 1300-1400). Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. By completing this activity, high school students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast characters
Infer the intended effect of the author’s phrasing (“liquor of youth”)
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing and symbolism
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Articulate the significance of a given detail
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials
Support claims and ideas with relevant evidence and valid reasoning
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Challenge high school students to push beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with Othello by William Shakespeare. Given the objective nature of the multiple choice questions, each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to quickly and efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are fifteen close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Analyze the author’s craft, discerning how Shakespeare’s language influences the audience’s perception of Iago
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, epiphany, foreshadowing, personification, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more
Explore themes in the play
Discern the tone of given passages
Determine the functions of given scenes
Articulate the significance of given details
Articulate how dialogue contributes to the development of suspense
Articulate how the setting contributes to a sense of uncertainty
Consider how the imagery of a willow tree is relevant to the content of Desdemona’s song
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
This bundled close reading resource promotes thoughtful, critical analysis of several classic Grimms’ fairy tales, helping students focus on significant details to develop improved reading proficiency and contribute more meaningfully to class discussion. Each close reading assessment includes an answer key with detailed explanations for correct options. You will receive two versions of each individual item: a Word Document version and a PDF version.
These resources may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Make reading more purposeful with these close reading activities to support students in their efforts to demonstrate the following:
An ability to define complex vocabulary in context
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships
An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more
An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim
An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail
An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly
An ability to write with clarity and precision
This bundled close reading resource promotes thoughtful, critical analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, helping students focus on significant details to develop improved reading proficiency and contribute more meaningfully to class discussion. Each close reading assessment includes an answer key with detailed explanations for correct options. You will receive two versions of each individual worksheet: a Word Document version and a PDF version. Featuring more than 125 high-order questions, this bundle gives students clearer purposes for reading such as the following:
To analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
To determine tone in context
To define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
To draw reasoned inferences about characterization
To apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
To isolate accurate statements from false statements
To write about literature such that the reader will follow the student’s reasoning
To support claims with relevant textual evidence
And more
Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “From Beyond,” a piece featuring numerous compelling elements for high school students: alien life, advanced technology, parallel realities, and more. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, situational irony, 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
Gothic fantasy and horror are genres that maximize many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Cats of Ulthar” by H.P. Lovecraft is a macabre short story featuring savage neighbors, an avenging curse, and flesh-eating felines—making it an especially chilling choice for the Halloween season. This rigorous worksheet on “The Cats of Ulthar” helps English teachers support the development of close reading analysis skills and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Discern a key purpose of the mythological allusions delivered in the exposition
Draw parallels between the author’s choices and knowledge of cat-related proverbs
Explore the antagonistic characterization of the community’s old couple
Examine the narrator’s feelings toward the people of Ulthar
Explore the greater significance of imagery from a mythological perspective
Investigate the author’s decision to name a key character after an Egyptian figure
Discern the functions of several paragraphs
Apply knowledge of a variety of literary devices including personification, irony, inversion, and onomatopoeia
Make logical inferences about the author’s decision to include two seemingly insignificant details
Identify and explain a significant example of foreshadowing in the story
Argue whether the people of Ulthar are better or worse off for having gone through their experiences
Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help middle and high schoolers go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering chapter 16 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word 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 with an emphasis on 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
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 2, of Hamlet 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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Determine the tone of a given excerpt
Consider autobiographical parallel, drawing an informed inference about Shakespeare’s philosophy on the purpose of dramatic performances based on details provided in this scene
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 2, of Hamlet 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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern tone in context
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 2, of Hamlet 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.
By engaging with this resource, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine Shakespeare’s narrative techniques with emphasis on the incorporation of figurative language
Determine the tone of the scene
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Touchstone’s comments about a young forest-dweller
The nature of the conversation between Touchstone and the forest-dweller
Oliver’s intentions as he moves forward in life
Orlando’s feelings about the abruptness of Celia and Oliver’s engagement
Ganymede’s promise to Orlando
Phebe’s assessment of Ganymede’s behavior
Audrey’s excitement about marriage
Touchstone’s driving motive for marrying Audrey
Jaques’ allusion to Noah’s Ark
A conversation between Jaques and Touchstone
Hymen’s attendance
The most dynamic character in Act 5
Duke Frederick’s intentions as he moves forward in life
Duke Senior’s intentions as he moves forward in life
Jaques’ assessment of the marriage between Touchstone and Audrey
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The interaction between Jaques and Rosalind
Jaques’ assertions about his mental state
Jaques’ character motivations
Orlando’s tardiness
Rosalind’s artificial anger
Rosalind and Orlando’s role playing lesson
“Men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them, but not for love.”
A fake wedding ceremony
Silvius’ continued affection for Phebe
The content of a letter Phebe sends Ganymede
Rosalind’s comments on how Phebe can prove her love
Oliver’s unexpected appearance and character transformation
Orlando’s heroism
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Duke Frederick’s newest command of Oliver
Orlando’s love poem
Touchstone’s mockery
Touchstone and Corin’s debate over what constitutes a moral person
Corin’s lack of education
Rosalind’s concern about Orlando finding her attractive
Rosalind’s offer to help cure Orlando of love
Touchstone’s flirtatiousness with Audrey
Celia’s criticism of Orlando
Silvius’ feelings toward Phebe
The characterization of Phebe
The reason for Rosalind’s agitation
Phebe’s romantic feelings toward Rosalind
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
“Sweet are the uses of adversity”
Jaques’ stated reason for not hunting
The fundamental goodness of Adam
Oliver’s homicidal intentions
Comparing Rosalind and Orlando’s plights
Corin’s efforts to console a lovesick Silvius
Celia and Rosalind’s big purchase
Jaques’ combativeness and its effect on others
Jaques’ motivations for becoming a jester
An assumption that turns out to be ill-informed
The metaphorical language of Duke Senior
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Orlando’s complaint about his brother
Oliver’s devious plans for his brother
The cause of Oliver’s hatred for Orlando
The banishment of Duke Senior
The characterization of Duke Senior
The characterization of Rosalind
Rosalind’s belief regarding love
Rosalind’s request of Duke Frederick
Orlando’s perspective on facing danger
The cause of Celia’s shame toward her father
Duke Frederick’s shifting attitude toward Rosalind
Rosalind’s banishment
Touchstone’s agreement to travel with Rosalind and Celia
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 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