Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 9 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding 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. With this close reading activity, students will be able to: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explain the significance of a given detail Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Analyze word choices to discern what they reveal about Holden’s psychological state Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, hyperbole, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

With this printable test covering the entirety of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, English teachers will be able to evaluate students’ comprehension of key characters, plot developments, and literary craft. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A breakdown of content follows. Part 1. Knowledge of Plot. Students will demonstrate comprehension of the following: Christopher Sly’s disruptive behavior An activity in which Christopher Sly participates Baptista’s terms for his daughters’ marriages Lucentio’s persona, “Cambio” The quality in women about which Petruchio cares most Hortensio’s persona, “Litio” Petruchio’s intentions for Katharina Baptista’s preferences to be his son-in-law Petruchio’s tardiness to the wedding Petruchio’s appearance on his wedding day Bianca’s assessment of her sister’s relationship An accident involving a horse Petruchio’s strictness Hortensio’s feelings toward Petruchio Petruchio’s eccentric behavior Hortensio’s marriage A test of the wives’ loyalty Katharina’s closing speech Part 2. True/False. Students will identify whether a statement is true or false. Questions focus on: “Cambio’s” area of expertise The nature of the relationship between Bianca and Katharina The first character to reveal his true identity to Bianca Hortensio’s dwindling affection toward Bianca Katharina’s reaction to her husband’s strange behavior Baptista’s negotiating the terms of his daughters’ marriages Baptista and Vincentio’s forgiveness of their children The false Vincentio’s reaction to meeting the real Vincentio Part 3. Quotations in Context. Students will match an excerpt with its appropriate context. Act 1, scene 1: Hark, Tranio! thou may’st hear Minerva speak. Act 1, scene 1: No profit grows where is no pleasure ta’en: / In brief, sir, study what you most affect. Act 2, scene 1: Her silence flouts me, and I’ll be revenged. Act 2, scene 1: O slow-wing’d turtle! shall a buzzard take thee? Act 3, scene 2: Go, girl; I cannot blame thee now to weep; / For such an injury would vex a very saint, / Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour. Act 3, scene 2: That, being mad herself, she’s madly mated. Act 4, scene 2: …here I firmly vow / Never to woo her no more, but do forswear her, / As one unworthy all the former favours / That I have fondly flatter’d her withal. Act 5, scene 1: Fear not, Baptista; we will content you, go to: but / I will in, to be revenged for this villany Act 5, scene 2: A woman moved is like a fountain troubled, / Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty… Part 4. Application of Literary Devices. Students will be given a detail or excerpt from the drama and must determine which literary device is best reflected. Literary devices addressed include: Sibilance Allusion Hyperbole Anaphora Oxymoron Aposiopesis Idiom Metaphor Consonance Simile Onomatopoeia

Support the development of high school close reading skills and analysis of Shakespeare’s The Tempest with this worksheet on Act 3, scene 3. A variety of high-order question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. This resource is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A detailed answer key is included. More specifically, students will be able to: Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity and precision Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea Articulate what makes Alonso a more vulnerable target, according to Antonio’s logic Analyze how Antonio and Sebastian demonstrate cowardliness Identify textual details that contribute to the surreal tone of the scene Discern the most logical statement among four options in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification Identify what makes Antonio and Sebastian foolish from Ariel’s perspective Analyze Shakespeare’s use of the vague pronoun they and determine to whom Ariel refers when using the pronoun in context Determine the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary and thesaurus Identify whether Ariel believes the king’s party may avoid eternal damnation Articulate the effect Ariel’s speech has on the king’s party Conduct brief research on the mythological harpy and analyze what the creature has in common with Ariel

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. 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: effigy, farthest, flourish, grim, ineffectual, jeeringly, lamentation, lavatory, murmur, scowl, subdued, tottery, and vague. 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 chapter 2 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. 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: contrary, expound, feebly, gambol, idle, inventive, irrepressible, nimble, reign, reproach, shrill, and unanimous. 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Liam O’Flaherty’s short story “The Sniper.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting The general characterization of the sniper Risks taken by the sniper What initiates an exchange of fire Where the sniper gets injured A strategy to trick the enemy The sniper’s reaction to his kill What motivates the sniper to know the enemy’s identity An ironic discovery

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: congeal, dazed, exasperated, luxuriate, mutter, parcel, placid, punctually, spanner, translucent, trifle, 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 the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 1, scene 3, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents. This resource 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. More specifically, questions pertain to the following: Analyzing text for tone. Analyzing the text for meaning: discerning Othello’s self-described weakness. Analyzing text for meaning: how long Othello has fought in wars. Analyzing text for meaning: Othello’s willingness to disclose the truth of his courting of Desdemona. Analyzing text for meaning: how Brabantio describes his daughter. Analyzing text for meaning: the type of person Brabantio thinks would believe Othello’s claims. Analyzing text for meaning: the devil’s role in the union, according to Brabantio.

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 4, scene 1, 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: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Make logical inferences in context Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters interact Analyze the author’s craft to articulate the effect of an idiomatic expression Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision

Promote high school close reading skills and analysis of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice with this resource. A variety of high-order question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource 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. Specifically, questions pertain to the following: Discerning what the text says implicitly and explicitly Analyzing the symbolic significance of rain and articulating how acts of mercy are like rain, according to the perspective of Portia Analyzing character dialogue to draw reasoned inferences about the power of mercy Activating prior knowledge regarding Christians’ past treatment of Shylock Analyzing character behaviors to discern and articulate their motives Analyzing cause-and-effect relationships Analyzing a portion of the passage to discern its tone in context Applying knowledge of situational irony to the passage Isolating a false statement from accurate details Writing with clarity, logic, and precision Citing textual evidence in support of claims

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. Delivered in 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 close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words/phrases as they are used in context Verify interpretations of language using reference materials Explore nuances in words with similar meanings Describe tone in context Consider the greater significance of given details Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration and situational irony Conduct brief research on mythological and historical subjects Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 4, of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. 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 close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Describe the tone of dialogue in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, juxtaposition, dramatic irony, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students analyze how Doris Lessing used figurative language (simile), alliteration, descriptive language, and characterization to develop a compelling narrative and a mature, emotionally intelligent protagonist in “Through the Tunnel.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key is included.

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and facilitate analysis of Shakespeare’s craft with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 1, of The Tempest. An answer key is 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe the tone of a particular excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Antonio and Sebastian) Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony 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

Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 1 through 3 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to: Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity, logic, and precision Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Explore character motivations Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, and personification Articulate the author’s intended effect of figurative language Discern the primary function of chapters one through three Examine relationships between complex characters Articulate Victor Frankenstein’s epiphany in a given passage Analyze the importance of Victor’s epiphany Articulate cause-and-effect relationships Make logical inferences about character modes of thinking Analyze how a given paragraph contributes to character development

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 1 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques with emphasis on how setting influences mood Determine the function of a given paragraph Consider the greater significance of given details Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on foreshadowing and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 1, scene 2, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents. This resource 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. More specifically, questions pertain to the following: Analyzing the phrase “He comes to bad intent” for meaning. Analyzing the phrase “Come, sir, I am for you” for meaning and synthesizing it with knowledge of Iago’s characterization. Analyzing text for meaning: why Othello claims that Brabantio is worthy of respect. Analyzing text to determine character motivations (why Brabantio thinks Othello is a thief). Analyzing text to isolate true statements from unfounded statements. Locating textual evidence and annotating text to make comprehension visible: identifying all references to supernatural forces and all indications of Brabantio’s prejudiced mentality. Paraphrasing dialogue.

Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. 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 engaging with this resource, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices (simile, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and more) Analyze a given passage to identify which of Jack’s character traits are highlighted Analyze a given passage to identify which literary theme is most dominant in context Articulate the significance of given descriptive details in terms of character and plot development Analyze the author’s craft to identify the technique used to maximize shock value Isolate a passage that reflects the conflict between primal impulses and the conditioning of civil society Conduct brief research on the Greek myth of Prometheus and draw literary parallels between it and Lord of the Flies Write with clarity and precision

This 33-slide PowerPoint presentation introduces your students to the key characters in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I created this PowerPoint as a means of previewing the novel with my high school students, offering them context on character traits, relationships, conflicts, and development over the course of the novel. The following are covered: Bilbo Baggins. ♦ Modest nature ♦ Appreciation for the simple things ♦ His reluctance and obligation to help ♦ His role along the journey ♦ His brushes with adversity ♦ His sense of justice ♦ His dynamic character ♦ And more Gandalf. ♦ His noteworthy character traits ♦ The mentor archetype ♦ And more Thorin Oakenshield. ♦ His leadership ♦ His bravery and his pretentiousness ♦ His family background ♦ His classification as a foil to Bilbo ♦ His fatal flaws Dwalin. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Balin. ♦ General character details (e.g., his acceptance of Bilbo) Gloin. ♦ General character details (e.g., his skepticism of Bilbo) Oin. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Dori. ♦ General character details (e.g., his strength) Nori. ♦ General character details (e.g., his appearance) Ori. ♦ General character details (e.g., his musical talent) Kili & Fili. ♦ General character details (e.g., their youth) Bombur. ♦ General character details (e.g., his laziness) Bifur. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Bofur. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Gollum. ♦ His home ♦ His miserable disposition ♦ His interests and talents ♦ His significant loss Smaug. ♦ His greediness ♦ His vengefulness ♦ His appearance ♦ His symbolism ♦ The cultural perspective on dragons Elrond. ♦ The Last Homely House ♦ His special, helpful traits ♦ His graciousness ♦ Foreshadowing Beorn. ♦ His personality traits ♦ His special skills ♦ His discomfort toward visitors ♦ His pursuit of justice ♦ His help given to the adventurers ♦ And more Bard of Esgaroth. ♦ His tremendous talent ♦ His honorable nature ♦ His leadership ♦ His response to tragedy ♦ His sense of fairness and justice The Elvenking. ♦ His suspicion of strangers ♦ His weakness ♦ His crucial role late in the novel