Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills for high school with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the science fiction short story “The Star Beast” by Nicholas Stuart Gray. A detailed 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 as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques with emphasis on how the author helps the audience empathize with a non-human protagonist Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris and situational irony Consider themes in context Articulate how the narrative conforms to standard conventions of science fiction 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 and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction short story “History Lesson.” A short answer quiz option is also provided for re-assessment purposes. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The tribe’s fears Hope for survival A reason for the Ice Age The Ice Age’s effect on Venus Shann’s sons and their efforts to save items for future generations The discovery of the preserved items Human accomplishments vs. those of the Venusians Studying the film record Dramatic irony

Eliminate assessment planning responsibilities and evaluate high school students’ knowledge of plot and literary craft with this summative test covering Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. An answer key is included, as well as a test prep guide and a standards-based rubric for scoring essay responses. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The test is divided into four sections, outlined as follows: Part 1 - Characters and Plot. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following characters and aspects of plot:Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following characters and aspects of plot: ♦ Perry’s background ♦ Perry’s medical condition ♦ Perry’s family ♦ Perry’s external conflicts ♦ Perry’s superiors ♦ Perry’s cohorts ♦ A nurse Perry meets ♦ Miscellaneous characters Perry meets along the way Part 2 - Literary Craft. Students will apply knowledge of the following literary devices to quotes from the novel: ♦ Anaphora ♦ Aphorism ♦ External conflict ♦ Hyperbole ♦ Internal conflict ♦ Irony ♦ Metaphor ♦ Oxymoron Part 3 - Meaningful Quotations in Context. Students will read the given quotes in order to discern the speaker and significance of each: ♦ “The army was the place I was going to get away from all the questions.” (Chapter 2) ♦ “Anything anybody got in the army, I got. You got a gun, I got a gun. You got boots, I got boots.” (Chapter 2) ♦ “Movies are the only real thing in life.” (Chapter 6) ♦ “He was a thing, a trophy. I wondered if I could become a trophy.” (Chapter 7) ♦ “A man in Nam fighting by my side is a man fighting by my side.” (Chapter 18) ♦ “Mama would expect me to be the same person, but it could never happen.” (Chapter 20) Part 4 - Essay Writing. Students will develop a five paragraph essay in response to one of two given prompts: ♦ The first prompt requires students to explore Perry’s changing perspective on the war ♦ The second prompt requires students to evaluate any meaningful character’s methods of coping with the terrible realities of war

This worksheet features 62 common roots and formatives. Students will define each root or formative, using context and available resources (e.g., dictionaries, internet). Also, students will form words by combining roots and formatives. LEARNING TARGETS: 1. Students will determine the meanings of common word roots. 2. Students will apply knowledge of word roots by combining word roots and creating new words. 3. Students will discern meanings of common formatives using context clues.

For many high school readers, horror and psychological fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe features elements consistent with both genres: a psychotic protagonist trying to rationalize his thinking, the senseless killing of an innocent man, dramatic irony, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Tell-Tale Heart” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. 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 assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The alleged effects of the narrator’s fever the previous year The narrator’s motivations The narrator’s defense against claims of his being insane The duration of time it took for the narrator to kill the old man The reason the old man springs up in bed, awake The manner of the old man’s death The location of the old man’s remains The reason police are alerted to the scene of the crime The narrator’s initial reaction to the police’s arrival The narrator’s explanation for the old man’s disappearance The psychotic breakdown of the narrator How the police came to learn of the old man’s murder

Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on Life As We Knew It, a dystopian young adult novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer, with emphasis on chapters eighteen through twenty-one. A multiple choice assessment is provided, as well as a subjective version. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details: The family’s closeness since Christmas passed Miranda’s reflections on what she learned over the past year How the hospital has changed since Miranda’s last visit Information provided by the hospital’s nurses Miranda’s near-deadly mistake Mom’s birthday and why she believes it is the best ever The return of radio activity Miranda’s anxiety coinciding with the return of electricity Miranda’s need to travel into town A discovery that changes everything Miranda’s philosophy on her birthday The purpose of journal writing

This file contains two Word documents. The first is a 13-question, multiple-choice quiz designed to measure plot recall. The second is the corresponding answer key. Questions pertain to the following details: • The North Crawford Mask and Wig Club • The avoidance of social gatherings • The narrator's wish for Harry Nash • The narrator's invitation to an auditioning woman • The town's reaction to Harry's acting • The narrator's first impression of Helene's acting • Efforts to improve Helene's acting • Helene's fantasy when viewing movies in the past • Helene's difficulty in establishing relationships • Lydia's impressions on who will direct • Lydia's prediction for Helene • A gift from Harry • "The luckiest girl in town"

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst. Alternatively, the assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view The reason for the narrator’s disappointment Details suggesting Doodle was not expected to live long The narrator’s immoral thoughts Doodle’s surprising actions A setting the narrator and his brother seem to enjoy The effects of pride Doodle’s stories The narrator’s agenda concerning his brother’s abilities A natural disaster that devastates the narrator’s family The reason for the interruption of a family dinner Why the narrator rushes home as the story reaches its climax A somber discovery

Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the science fiction short story “The Fog Horn” by Ray Bradbury. An answer key is included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Point of view Setting McDunn’s thoughts on the ocean A strange incident involving a million fish The sound of the fog horn The characters’ nickname for the ocean The narrator’s thoughts on the sea creature McDunn’s theory about the sea creature An experiment involving the fog horn The sea creature’s reaction to the experiment The narrator’s life one year later The lesson McDunn thinks the sea creature learned The narrator’s feelings toward the sea creature

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

Save time without sacrificing rigor in the high school Creative Writing classroom with this Common Core-aligned unit plan and these comprehensive materials for engaging students fully in the narrative writing process. Included are the following: ♦ A detailed, standards-based unit plan articulating the unit’s transfer goal(s), essential question(s), enduring understanding(s), learning target(s), academic vocabulary, formative assessment(s), summative performance task(s), and learning plan(s). ♦ A PowerPoint presentation addressing the conventions of Gothic literature. ♦ A formative research activity designed to build student knowledge in regard to the historical context of Halloween ♦ Representative Gothic narratives by Edgar Allan Poe (“The Black Cat”), H.P. Lovecraft (“The Outsider”), and W. W. Jacobs (“The Monkey’s Paw”). ♦ Worksheets to facilitate analysis of representative literature. ♦ Detailed directions. ♦ A comprehensive outline for student planning. ♦ A document to facilitate the editing process. ♦ A comprehensive rubric for evaluating student writing. With these materials, students will do the following: ♦ Develop greater understanding of the conventions of Gothic literature and the horror genre. ♦ Analyze how famous authors of Gothic literature used characterization, description, and various literary devices that are consistent with the horror genre. The featured texts are Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat,” H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Outsider,” and W. W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw.” ♦ Conduct brief research on aspects of Halloween’s history and synthesize knowledge gained to draft an original narrative consistent with the conventions of horror writing. ♦ Organize initial ideas in a coherent manner. ♦ Engage the reader with a compelling exposition that establishes an eerie setting. ♦ Use many appropriate narrative techniques (dialogue, dialect, description, pacing, etc.) to enhance plot. ♦ Draft a coherent, cohesive, and appropriate narrative that builds toward a particular tone and outcome (a sense of mystery, suspense, etc.) ♦ Use precise words and phrases, active verbs, and sensory language to convey a compelling story ♦ Draft an unrushed conclusion that resolves conflicts and implies a theme ♦ Show mastery of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

For many middle and high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes is a short story involving socioeconomic struggles, social pressures, the importance of second chances, and the power of empathy and forgiveness. This multiple choice quiz covering “Thank You, Ma’am” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: An attempt to steal something The intended victim’s reaction “Turned loose” The washing of a character’s face Roger’s question Mrs. Jones’s kind offer A reason for the act Roger’s desire for Mrs. Jones to trust him The resolution

Conclude a unit on Shakespeare’s Othello with this summative test and answer key. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate general knowledge of character actions, dialogue, and motivations. In addition, they will explore the significance of selected passages and apply knowledge of literary devices such as situational irony and dramatic irony. Finally, students will write with clarity, accuracy, and precision in response to a prompt requiring them to analyze Iago and support the claim that he is a weak villain. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.

Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this set of printable quizzes on O. Henry’s short story titled “The Gift of the Magi.” A multiple choice option and alternate short answer version are included, along with answer keys and a copy of the public domain narrative. All materials are delivered in a zip file as Word Documents and PDFs. Questions pertain to the following important details/concepts: The protagonist’s financial struggles The narrator’s commentary on the nature of life Jim’s income reduction Della’s intentions with the money she has The characters’ most prized possessions Madame Sofronie’s role in the story Della’s emotional state as she shops Della’s purchase for Jim Della’s habit Jim’s reaction to receiving Della’s gift Jim’s purchase for Della Parallels between the characters and the magi Situational irony (irony of result) the magi Situational irony (irony of result)

Incorporate autobiographical nonfiction into the English Language Arts classroom and measure general reading comprehension with this editable quiz on “Straw into Gold: The Metamorphosis of the Everyday” by Sandra Cisneros. This autobiographical essay addresses the variables that shaped Cisneros into the writer she became and emphasizes the inspirational message that seemingly impossible things are possible with a little imagination. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The nature of a misunderstanding The author’s self-image The author’s educational experiences The dynamics of the author’s family The breaking of a “terrible taboo” Traits the author inherited from each of her parents How the author’s mother influenced her writing The author’s hometown The reasons the author disliked school as a child A major life event in 1966 Theme

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 29, 30, and 31 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: Who saved the kids from Bob’s assault Atticus’s misunderstanding of the story Heck Tate’s version of the story The fairness of hiding the truth Scout’s awareness of why hiding the truth is acceptable Scout’s sadness upon recalling items in the knothole Scout and Atticus’s activity as the novel ends Atticus’s last lesson he teaches Scout before the novel ends

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 27 and 28 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: Strange incidents in Maycomb Atticus’s opinion on Bob Ewell’s malicious behaviors Miss Tutti and Miss Frutti The pageant and how it was ruined Jem’s concerns on the way home The attack Heck Tate’s discovery at the crime scene Jem’s method of arriving home

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 24, 25, and 26 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: The missionary circle Mrs. Merriweather’s critical comments Mrs. Merriweather’s hypocrisy Tom’s death The bitter editorial Bob Ewell’s antagonistic behaviors Miss Gates’s hypocrisy Jem’s reaction to the trial’s outcome

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 21, 22, and 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: Interruption of the court proceedings Jem’s misunderstanding racial prejudice and the justice system The jury’s deliberation The verdict The African American community’s appreciation of Atticus Altercation between Bob and Atticus Alexandra’s strictness Jem’s opinion on Boo’s isolation

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 19 and 20 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An alternate short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: Tom’s previous run-in with the law Why Tom had to serve 30 days Mayella’s plan to ensure her siblings were not present Scout’s epiphany regarding Mayella’s loneliness Link Deas’s support of Tom Bob Ewell’s comments according to Tom’s testimony Why Tom frequently helped Mayella Mr. Gilmer’s treatment of Tom The major revelation regarding Dolphus Raymond’s condition Atticus’s summation Atticus’s peculiar behavior that surprises the kids