"The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley Quiz, Close Reading, and Vocabulary Games

Evaluate general reading comprehension, support critical thinking, and promote homework accountability with this bundle of formative assessments covering Mary Shelley's short story "The Mortal Immortal," a narrative of special appeal to high school students interested in Halloween, supernatural fiction, and philosophical perspectives on eternal life. This piece also pairs well with Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein, particularly in terms of discussing the book's ending. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain short story, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. (Alternatively, a Google Drive bundle option is available.)

By engaging with these materials, students will perform the following tasks:

• Identify what the text states both 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

• Consider the effects of the author's language and narrative techniques

• Discern the function of a given excerpt

• Describe tone in context

• Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop

• Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on metaphor, personification, catharsis, imagery, repetition, oxymoron, hyperbole, and more

• Explore themes in context

• Reflect on the oxymoronic title and what it reflects about the protagonist

• Conduct research as needed to answer questions about a feminist perspective on the plot and the deeper meanings of given allusions

• Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence

• Write about Gothic fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

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.

Materials are available for teaching during the Halloween season:

• Creative Writing Unit Plan for Gothic Fiction - Google and printable

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Google and printable

• The Works of Edgar Allan Poe (Volume 1) - Google and printable

• The Works of Edgar Allan Poe (Volume 2) - Google and printable

• The Works of H.P. Lovecraft (Volume 1) - Google and printable

• The Works of H.P. Lovecraft (Volume 2) - Google and printable