Literary Devices Quiz | Printable Grade 6 ELA Worksheet

This Grade 6 ELA worksheet helps students review essential literary devices and story elements before beginning a novel study. By answering targeted multiple-choice questions, learners demonstrate their understanding of motifs, themes, point of view, and figurative language, ensuring they are prepared to analyze complex texts effectively.

At a Glance

• Grade: 6 · Subject: ELA
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4 — Determine the meaning of figurative language in a text
• Skill Focus: Literary Devices and Story Elements
• Format: 2 pages · 10 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Pre-assessment or review
• Time: 15–20 minutes

What's Inside

Inside this two-page resource, educators will find a 10-question multiple-choice quiz designed to assess foundational reading comprehension concepts. The task types require students to identify definitions and examples of literary devices such as personification, alliteration, and imagery. It also covers broader story elements, including theme, motif, and point of view. A complete answer key is provided to streamline the grading process.

Zero-Prep Workflow

• Print (1 minute): Simply download the PDF and print a class set. The clean, two-page layout is ready for immediate use.
• Distribute (1 minute): Hand out the quiz as a bell-ringer, pre-assessment, or independent review activity.
• Review (3 minutes): Use the included answer key to quickly grade submissions or facilitate a whole-class review discussion.

With under two minutes of total teacher prep time, this worksheet is an excellent, self-explanatory option for emergency sub plans or quick formative assessments.

Standards Alignment

Aligned to primary standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. It also supports RL.6.2 by addressing the identification of themes and central ideas. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Use this worksheet as a pre-assessment before beginning a new novel study to gauge students' prior knowledge of literary terms. Alternatively, assign it during direct instruction as an independent practice activity to reinforce newly introduced concepts like motif and dialect. For formative assessment, observe which specific terms (e.g., imagery vs. motif) students struggle with to guide subsequent mini-lessons. Expected completion time is 15 to 20 minutes.

Who It's For

This resource is primarily designed for middle school ELA students in grades 5 through 7. It serves as an excellent baseline assessment for general education classrooms and provides clear, straightforward multiple-choice options that benefit students needing structured review. Pair this quiz with an anchor chart on figurative language or a direct instruction lesson on story elements to maximize student retention.

Integrating structured review of literary terms significantly enhances reading comprehension and analytical skills in middle school students. According to Fisher & Frey (2014), providing students with clear definitions and examples of academic vocabulary is crucial for their ability to engage with complex texts. This worksheet aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4, requiring students to determine the meaning of figurative language in a text. By explicitly practicing the identification of literary devices, motifs, and themes, learners build the cognitive framework necessary for deeper literary analysis. Regular formative assessments, such as this 10-question quiz, allow educators to identify knowledge gaps early in a novel study unit, ensuring that all students have the foundational vocabulary required to succeed in subsequent reading tasks and discussions.