Short Stories for Christmas Quizzes, Close Readings, Vocabulary Games, and Test Bundle

Evaluate reading comprehension, support critical thinking, and embrace the spirit of Christmas and wintertime no matter the time of year with this bundle of plot-based quizzes, close reading analysis worksheets, vocabulary development exercises, and an end-of-unit test for six holiday-themed short stories: “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, “The Burglar’s Christmas” by Willa Cather, “At Christmas Time” by Anton Chekhov, “The Heavenly Christmas Tree” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and “Three Wise Guys” by Sandra Cisneros. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.

By engaging with these activities, students will:

• Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
• Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
• Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
• Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
• Discern the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques
• Determine the functions of given excerpts
• Describe and examine tone in context
• Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
• Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, foreshadowing, idiom, metaphor, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, 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