Romeo and Juliet Unit

During our Romeo and Juliet unit, students were given a pre- and post-test on literary terms in
order gauge their understanding of the intricacies of Shakespeares language. This test
(attached below) was a matching test with 23 literary terms and their definitions. Students were
asked to write the literary term on the line beside its corresponding definition. Throughout the
unit, students had a note sheet (attached below) which students used to take notes and write
examples about each term as we came upon it within the play. Both tests were exactly the
same, but were graded differently. For the pre-test, since they werent expected to know
anything yet, they got full points (20) just for completing the test. I made sure they knew that
they should do their best so that I would know what they know, but that there was no pressure to
perform well if they had never learned the terms before. For the post-test, they were graded for
each correct answer, out of a total of 23 points.

Literary Terms Pre/Post-test

Word Bank:
Allusion Dialogue Metaphor
Aside Oxymoron Protagonist
Character Foil Paradox Antagonist
Chorus Personification Tragedy
Foreshadowing Pun Theme
Dramatic Irony Soliloquy Prose
Monologue Sonnet Comic Relief
Couplet Iambic Pentameter
1. _____________ A reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object.

2. _____________ Comic episodes in a dramatic or literary work that offset more serious

sections.

3. _____________ A play on words based on the similarity of sound between two words

with different meanings.

4. _____________ A comparison between two unlike things.

5. _____________ The main idea of a piece of literature.

6. _____________ A story with an unhappy ending.

7. _____________ Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical

structure.

8. _____________ A line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short

(unstressed) syllable followed by one long (stressed) syllable.

9. _____________ Attributing human characteristics to something that is nonhuman.

10. _____________ The leading character in a literary work.

11. _____________ Character(s) that represents opposition against the main character.

12. _____________ A dramatic convention by which an actor directly addresses the audience

but is not supposed to be heard by the other actors on stage.

13. _____________ A characteristic device in ancient Greek drama in which a group of

actors speaking or chanting in unison - often while dancing - convey information about the play,

particularly an emotion about the action or characters.

14. _____________ Two concepts that do not go together but are used together. (Ex: little

giants)
15. _____________ A poem consisting of 14 lines which typically has a rhyme scheme of

abab cdcd efef gg, and employs iambic pentameter.

16. _____________ A long, uninterrupted speech that a character speaks in front of other

characters.

17. _____________ When the reader knows more about the true state of affairs than the

characters do.

18. _____________ Two lines of verse, usually in the same meter and joined by rhyme.

19. _____________ A character who sets off or illuminates the major character - usually to

create a contrast that is favorable to the major character.

20. _____________ When the author uses hints and suggestions to foretell the end of the

story.

21. _____________ A statement that contradicts itself.

22. _____________ A speech in which a character, alone on the stage, addresses himself or

herself to let the audience know their inner thoughts or feelings.

23. _____________ Conversation between two or more characters.

At the end of the entire Romeo and Juliet unit, students were asked to complete a summative
assessment to show their knowledge of the play. This assessment had questions that had only
one answer, and questions that asked students to think about the play on a deeper, more
analytical level. The short answer and essay questions were worth more points, since those
questions asked students to synthesize information they knew into a cohesive paragraph. The
assessment was designed to have questions should know if they kept up with reading the play
and taking notes on class discussions.

Romeo and Juliet Unit Test

Part 1: Match the items to their descriptions.

A. Mantua C. A ring E. Verona, Italy

B. Rope ladder D. Poison F. Potion
 1. _____ Romeo goes to live here
2. _____ Juliet gives this to the Nurse to give to Romeo
3. _____ Romeo uses this to kill himself
4. _____ The setting of the play
5. _____ Juliet uses this to fake her death
6. _____ Romeo uses this to climb into the Capulet orchard

Match the characters to their description.

A. Nurse B. Tybalt C. Lord Capulet

D. Friar Laurence E. Juliet F. Lord Montague
G. Balthasar H. Prince Escalus I. Paris
J. Mercutio K. Rosaline

7. _____ Rules Verona

7. _____ Raised Juliet since she was born
7. _____ The Prince of Cats; Juliets hot-headed cousin
7. _____ Supplied Juliet with the potion
7. _____ Delivers the news of Juliets death to Romeo
7. _____ Asks Juliets father for her hand in marriage
7. _____ Was killed by Tybalt
7. _____ Apologizes to her parents for being disobedient
7. _____ Juliets father
7. _____ Promises to build a statue of Juliet
7. _____ Romeo is in love with her but she doesnt love him back

Part 2: Make each statement as true or false.

18. _____ Juliet is thirteen

18. _____ Romeo and Juliet fall in love before they know each others names
18. _____ Romeo wants to marry Juliet immediately, but she wants her fathers permission
18. _____ Tybalt was determined to fight and kill Romeo
18. _____ Juliets father threatens to disown her if she doesnt marry Paris
18. _____ Romeo dies before Juliet wakes up
18. _____ Friar Laurence lies to the prince about his involvement in the tragedy
18. _____ Romeo and Juliet end their families feud with their deaths
Part 3: List five characters that die in the play, in the order that they die.

26. ____________
26. ____________
26. ____________
26. ____________
26. ____________

Part 4: Multiple choice. Circle the correct answer

31. What were Romeos last words?

a. I love Jesus
b. Thus, with a kiss, I die
 c. My only love sprung from my only hate
d. My life belongs to my enemy

32. Which character gave the Queen Mab monologue?

a. Tybalt
b. Benvolio
c. Friar Laurence
d. Mercutio

33. What is the difference between a monologue and a soliloquy?

a. A monologue is when a character is alone; soliloquy is in front of other characters
b. A monologue is when a character talks about their true feelings while a soliloquy
is not
c. A soliloquy is given when a character is alone; a monologue is in front of other
characters
d. None of the above

34. Which of the following characters is a protagonist?

a. Tybalt
b. Lord Capulet
c. Romeo
d. Nurse

35. Which of the following characters acts as comic relief?

a. Nurse
b. Romeo
c. Lord Montague
d. Rosaline

36. Why are the Capulets and Montagues fighting?

a. Because they feel like it
b. Because of an ancient rivalry
c. Because they dont want Romeo and Juliet to get married
d. Because Lord Capulet killed Lord Montagues brother
36. When the author uses hints and suggestions to foretell the end of the story
a. Dramatic irony
b. Allusion
c. Foreshadowing
d. Tragedy

38. Which area is Friar Laurence an expert in?

a. Love
b. Poison
c. Plants/herbs
d. None of the above

39. What finally ends the feud between the two families?
a. Nothing
b. The death of the children
c. Tybalts death
 d. They apologize to each other

40. What does Romeo ask Friar Laurence to do?

a. Give him poison
b. Kill Juliets father
c. Marry him and Juliet
d. Kidnap Juliet so they can be together

41. Why does Romeo refuse to fight Tybalt?

a. Because hes a pansy
b. Tybalts his brother
c. Because he married Juliet so theyre family now
d. Hes scared Tybalt will beat him

42. Why does the Friar agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?
a. He loves marrying people
b. He hopes it will end the feud
c. Because he loves Romeo and will do anything to help him
d. They pay him

43. What is Romeos punishment for killing Tybalt?

a. Hes sentenced to death
b. Nothing
c. He must leave Verona
d. He has to apologize to the Capulets

44. What is the turning point of the play?

a. When Romeo and Juliet meet each other
b. When Romeo and Juliet get married
c. Tybalts death
d. Romeos death

45. Why does Lord Capulet agree to let Paris marry Juliet?
a. He thinks shes sad about Tybalts death
b. He doesnt want her to marry Romeo
c. He hopes it will bring the two families together
d. Paris pays Capulet

46. What news does Balthasar give Romeo?

a. Juliet is waiting for him in the tomb
b. Juliet is dead
c. Juliet doesnt love him anymore
d. Juliet ran away

47. Who does Romeo get the poison from?

a. Friar Laurence
b. He makes it
 c. Apothecary
d. Friar John

48. What act of compassion does Romeo perform for Paris after he kills him?
a. Buries him with Juliet
b. Takes his body to his family
c. Buries him in the ground
d. Prays for him

49. What is the climax of the play?

a. Tybalts death
b. Romeo and Juliets marriage
c. When Romeo gets banished
d. Romeo and Juliets death

50. When Juliet sees Romeos dead body what does she do?
a. Laughs
b. Poisons herself
c. Stabs herself
d. Nothing

51. Why couldnt Friar John get the letter to Romeo?

a. He wanted to sabotage Romeo
b. He was locked up because they thought he had the plague
c. The letter was intercepted by the Capulets
d. Friar Laurence never gave him the letter

52. What does Romeo notice about Juliet that makes him wonder if she is really dead?
a. Her lips and cheeks are still pink
b. She is breathing
c. She kisses him back
d. He knows shes alive but still wants to kill himself

53. What happened to Lady Montague?

a. Nothing
b. She died of old age
c. She died because she was sad about Romeos banishment
d. Tybalt killed her

54. Which of the following characters is an antagonist?

a. Romeo
b. Juliet
c. Tybalt
d. All of the above

Part 5: Short answer. In a few sentences, answer the question and support your answer with
examples from the text.
 55. What is Juliet willing to do rather than marry Paris? Why? Give at least three examples.

56. What is Friar Laurences plan for Juliet? Write it down step by step and include as many
details as you can.

57. List three specific fears Juliet has about Friar Laurences plan.

58. Who is a character foil for Romeo? Why? Who is a character foil for Juliet? Why?

Part 5: Essay questions. Answer the questions completely using specific details from the text.

59. One of the major themes in Romeo and Juliet is the individual vs. society. How does the
play show that everyone in the society has contributed to Romeo and Juliets deaths?
Use specific examples from the play to support your answer.

60. Write about three specific decisions Romeo and Juliet made that lead to the tragic
ending. Why were they fatal decisions? Then, write about two things they could have
done differently that could have lead to a happier ending.
Catcher in the Rye Unit

At the end of the entire Catcher in the Rye unit, students were asked to complete a summative
assessment to show their knowledge of the book. This assessment had questions that had only
one answer, and questions that asked students to think about the play on a deeper, more
analytical level. The short answer and essay questions were worth more points, since those
questions asked students to synthesize information they knew into a cohesive paragraph. The
assessment was designed to have questions should know if they kept up with reading the book
and taking notes on class discussions.

The Catcher in the Rye Unit Test

Part 1: Match the following characters to their description. 2 points each.

a. Stradlater e. Carl Luce i. Mr. Spencer m. Ackley

b. Phoebe f. Mr. Antolini j. Sally Hayes n. Maurice
c. Holden g. Mrs. Morrow k. Jane Gallagher o. James Castle
d. Sunny h. D.B. l. Allie p. Horwitz

1. ______ She keeps all her kings in the back row and is the only person outside his
family that Holden feels close to.

2. ______ Holden has a conversation with this woman on the train. At the end of their
conversation he tells her he has a small brain tumor.

3. ______ Holdens history teacher at Pencey.

4. ______ One of the only characters Holden genuinely liked spending time with. His
death affected Holden deeply.

5. ______ A secret slob who went on a date with Jane and beat Holden up.

6. ______ The protagonist and narrator of the novel.

7. ______ Although she gives him a royal pain, Holden asks her to runaway to

Vermont and Massachusetts.

8. ______ Pimp who beat up Holden.

8. ______ One of Holdens old classmates who knew a lot about flits and lesbians, and
is condescending towards him.

8. ______ Hooker that Holden never sleeps with because he, feels more depressed than
sexy.

8. ______ An old teacher who told Holden that hes headed for a terrible fall.

8. ______ Holdens next door neighbor at Pencey who wont let Holden stay the night in
his room, which leads to him leaving Pencey.
 8. ______ The main character Holden connects with throughout the novel.

8. ______ Wrote a collection of short stories, but is now being a prostitute in Hollywood.

8. ______ He speaks out the frustration Holden wishes he could - and pays with his life.

8. ______ Taxi driver Holden asks about the ducks at Central Park
Part 2: Write true or false next to each statement. 2 points each.

17. ______ Holdens father is a wealthy meat importer.

17. ______ Stradlater denies having any physical contact with Jane on their date.
17. ______ Holdens parents are sleeping when he sneaks into their home to see Phoebe.
17. ______ Holden failed at every class at Pencey expect English.
17. ______ The plot of The Catcher in the Rye takes place over a period of three days.
17. ______ Holden considers Ackley his best friend.
17. ______ Holden gave Phoebe his red hunting hat before he leaves the apartment.
17. ______ Stradlater punched Holden because the composition he wrote was terrible.
17. ______ Holdens favorite character from Romeo and Juliet is Mercutio.
17. ______ Holden told the hooker he had an operation on his clavichord.

Part 3: Multiple choice. Circle the answer that best completes the statement or answers the
question. 2 points each.

27. Holdens childhood memories show that the thing he enjoys most about the museum is
that
a. Has rotating exhibits
b. Admits children for free
c. Teaches things children dont learn in schools
d. Seldom changes

28. Holden goes out with Sally because he

a. Thinks she is something shes not
b. Believes that she is not a phony
c. Seeks company and is willing to tolerate her phoniness
d. Loves her and feels he can change her

29. Which of the following best describes Holdens treatment of the audience/reader?
a. Gives the reader a friendly invitation to come close
b. Narrates inwardly as if he is unaware he has an audience
c. Acts resentful of the audiences intrusion
d. Keeps the audience at a distance by taking an objective stance

30. Holden gives money to the nuns because

a. Cant bring himself to refuse their request for it
b. Has decided to try to live without money
c. Hears a voice telling him to give to God
d. Feels that they need the money

31. Regarding Allie, Holden gives the impression that he

a. Feels a lingering sense of loss
 b. Is angry at Allie for leaving
c. Is pretending that Allie never existed
d. Feels a guilty sense of relief that Allie is gone

32. Holdens opinion of reading is that

a. He believes readers are phonies
b. He prefers classics like The Return of the Native and The Great Gatsby
c. He prefers war stories
d. He reads only magazine stories

33. Like Phoebe, Allie

a. Has red hair
b. Was always in trouble at school
c. Often got mad
d. Rarely laughed

34. Holden kissed Jane

a. Once after her date with Stradlater
b. Often when they played checkers
c. Once when she cried
d. He never kissed Jane

35. Holden feels happy at the end of the novel when he watches Phoebe
a. Unpack her suitcase
b. Ride the carousel
c. Return to school
d. Visit the mummies

36. Holdens red hunting hat symbolizes

a. His trip to New york
b. His time with the fencing team
c. His individuality
d. Nothing. He just wears it to stay warm

37. Like Holden, Holdens mom

a. Thinks everyone is a phony
b. Never got over Allies death
c. Spent time in a mental institution
d. Lies a lot just because she can

38. Stradlater asked Holden to write a composition that was very descriptive. What did he
write about?
a. A house
b. A room
c. Allies glove
d. His date with Jane

Part 4: Match the setting to its significance in the novel. 2 points each.
a. Edmont Hotel b. Ernies c. Maine
d. Phoebes school e. Lavender Room f. Central Park Pond
g. Museum of Natural History

39. ______ Location of Holdens first experiment with adulthood in New York City that
includes flirting with older women and trying to buy drinks as a minor

39. ______ A childhood metaphor of safety that signifies the sense of loss when the
environment changes

39. ______ Childhood metaphor of intimacy, safety, comfort, and memories of Jane
Gallagher

39. ______ A true symbol of preserved innocence and child-like exploration; where Holden
interacts freely with children

39. ______ A place full of perverts; it is the location of Holdens third adult experiment that
proves sex will not ease his pain

39. ______ Holdens second experiment with adulthood results in the realization that
drinking like an adult cannot overcome loneliness

39. ______ Where Holden erases the curse words from the bench in attempt to act as the
catcher in the rye

Part 5: Essay Questions. 10 points each.

Read each question carefully and include specific details and examples from the reading to
support your answers. Your answers should be written in complete paragraphs and should
answer the question completely. I am looking for detail and accuracy in your answers.

Answer on a separate sheet of paper.

46. Discuss Holdens dream of being the catcher in the rye. What is this a metaphor for?
What theme of the book does this dream relate to, and how does Holden try to attain it?
Give specific examples.

47. Consider this quote: The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you
have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but its bad if you
say anything to them. What does this quote show that Holden has realized? How is this
different from his dream of being the catcher in the rye? Why is this significant?

48. Discuss Holdens state of mind and specific instances that lead to him becoming
increasingly more unstable. Make sure to touch on what his emotional issues are, the
root cause of them, and at least three other interactions that contributed to his mental
instability.

49. Discuss Holdens relationship with Phoebe. Cite specifics from their conversations and
interactions to support your answer.
 50. One of Holdens main concerns throughout the book is the idea of authentic vs. artificial.
Name three specific examples of things or people Holden thinks are authentic, and three
specific examples of things or people Holden thinks are artificial, and why. Then, talk
about Holden himself. When is he authentic, when is he artificial?

Extra credit:

1. What is the purpose of having no forward momentum in this novel? (3 points)

2. Mr. Antolini tells Holden that, the mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly
for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is to live humbly for one. What does this
mean? How does this apply to Holden? (3 points)

3. How did Allie die? (1 point)

4. What did Holden do the night Allie died? (1 point)

5. Holdens red hunting cap is what kind of literary device? (1 point)

6. What literary device is being used in the line, last game of the year and you were
supposed to commit suicide if old Pencey didnt win? (1 point)

Persuasive Writing Unit

During the LAIII persuasive writing unit, students were asked to write an argumentative essay.
The following rubric was used to explain the art of argumentative writing, was used for peer
reviews, and was used to grade the final essay. As a class, we went over the rubric three
different times to be sure students were aware of the requirements for the essay. However, as I
was grading the final essays, I realized the rubric was not as well written as I had originally
thought. I would definitely revise this rubric before using it again.
Persuasive Essay Rubric

Advanced (130- Proficient (116- Developing Emerging (90 or

117) 104) (103-91) less)

Elements of The introductory The introductory The introductory An explicit

Persuasive paragraph paragraph is paragraph introductory
Writing / contains a missing either a contains only paragraph is not
Structure hook, a hook, one of the present.
background background following: hook,
___ / 60 information, and information, or background Central claim
a thesis that thesis. information, or and supporting
 includes the thesis. details are
central claim The claim and unclear.
and major supporting The claim and
supports. details are supporting A cohesive
clearly stated details are not conclusion is not
Within the body, but are not fully fully stated or present.
the claim and supported with fully supported
supporting research. with research. Ideas are poorly
details are organized and
clearly stated The conclusion The conclusion hard to follow.
and are restates the lacks cohesion
supported with thesis but does with the rest of The essay less
research. Each not leave the the essay and than 3 pages.
supporting detail reader with a does not leave
is thoroughly call to action. the reader with a
discussed and call to action.
clearly supports Ideas are mostly
the main claim. easy to follow Ideas are difficult
but lack some to follow.
The conclusion organization. Organization is
restates the lacking.
thesis and The essay is at
leaves the least 3 pages. The essay is at
reader with a least 3 pages.
call to action.

All ideas are

organized in a
way that is clear
and easy to
follow.

The essay is at
least 3 pages
long.

Rhetorical Ethos, pathos, Two of the three One rhetorical There is no

Devices and logos are all rhetorical device is evidence of
clearly present. devices are present. ethos, pathos, or
___ / 20 present. logos.
The rhetorical The rhetorical
devices are The rhetorical device contains
used correctly devices contain a substantial
and do not some evidence amount of
contain fallacies of fallacies or illogical thinking.
 or illogical illogical thinking.
thinking.

Counterargumen A fully A A No
t / Rebuttal developed counterargumen counterargumen counterargument
counterargumen t is present but t is present but or rebuttal is
___ / 30 t is present and is not fully is not backed by present.
is backed by developed. research.
research.
Rebuttal is Rebuttal is
The present but is missing or is
counterargumen not fully weak.
t is disproven. developed.

Works Cited At least 5 3-4 sources 1-2 sources There is no

sources have have been used. have been used. evidence of
___ / 10 been used. research.
Most in-text In-text citations
In-text citations citations are are missing. Works cited
are formatted formatted page is missing.
correctly. correctly. Works cited
page has
Works Cited Works cited several
page is page has some formatting
formatted mistakes. mistakes.
properly.
All research has Some research
All research has been cited. has not been
been cited. cited.

Grammar and There are no Some grammar There are Grammar errors
Mechanics grammar errors. errors are several grammar are present
present but they errors present throughout the
___ / 10 do not interfere and they entire paper and
with somewhat interfere with
comprehension. interfere with comprehension
comprehension and
and understanding.
understanding.