The Masque of the Red Death Differentiated Study Guide & Analysis Questions | No Prep | Edgar Allan Poe

A differentiated Edgar Allan Poe study guide for The Masque of the Red Death with 3 text levels (Accessible/HILO, Leveled, Original) so every student can join the same discussion and exit quiz.

PROBLEM: Many classic short-story units fall apart in real classrooms because the original text can be challenging, and students often read at different levels—so teachers end up reteaching constantly or simplifying until the story loses its power.

SOLUTION: This differentiated short story study for The Masque of the Red Death gives you the complete Original Text plus two aligned options—the Accessible Text (HILO) and the Leveled Text—so your class can move together while students read the version that best supports comprehension today. The adaptations keep the major plot events, key symbols (the rooms, the clock, the masked figure), and the central theme of death’s inevitability so your discussions stay meaningful and text-based.

Perfect for: Grades 7–10 whole-class short story study, mixed reading levels, inclusive classrooms, intervention groups, multilingual learners, sub plans, and fast-prep lesson days. Some teachers also use it in Grades 11–12 classes that need additional support.

Cross-version alignment: Every Discussion Question and every Multiple Choice Exit Quiz item is designed to be answerable from the Accessible Text (HILO), the Leveled Text, or the Original Text, while still mapping cleanly to the original story for extension reading and evidence practice.

Note: The preview files are from the free The Tell-Tale Heart Differentiated Study Guide so you can get an idea for what this product includes. However, to be sure this will meet your classroom's needs, download the free study guide now and give it a test drive.

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Quick Guide for Teachers

• Reading: Students read the Accessible Text (HILO), Leveled Text, or Original Text.
• Discussion: Use one theme block (A + B) from the Discussion Questions.
• Assessment: Use the 10-question Multiple Choice Exit Quiz (cross-version aligned).
• Wrap-up: Use Vocabulary (10), 1–3 Short Answer questions, and/or 1 Challenge question based on time.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

NOTE: All files are editable and include (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, Google Docs/Slides/Forms)

Original Text: ~2,150 words | ~7.0 Flesch-Kincaid GL

• Lexile Range (est.): 950L–1150L | CEFR (est.): B2
• Great for on-grade and advanced readers, close reading, and original-language extension work.

Leveled Text: ~1,950 words | ~2.1 Flesch-Kincaid GL

• Lexile Range (est.): 650L–850L | CEFR (est.): A2–B1
• Keeps Poe’s tone and most story detail while simplifying sentence structure and vocabulary.

Accessible Text (HILO): ~1,080 words | ~1.0 Flesch-Kincaid GL

• Lexile Range (est.): 450L–650L | CEFR (est.): A1–A2
• Shorter and written in very simple language to reduce cognitive load and support comprehension.

Student Final Worksheet/Quizzes (PPTX, Google Slides/Forms)

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short Answer Recall/Comprehension
• 5 Challenge Questions (analysis, themes, craft)
• 1 Multiple Choice Exit Quiz (10 Questions, cross-version aligned)

Teacher’s Guide & Answer Key

• 1 set of Discussion Questions
• 1 self-graded Exit Quiz (10Qs)
• Answer keys for Vocabulary, Short Answer, and Challenge Questions

Summary

Prince Prospero seals himself and his wealthy guests inside an abbey to escape a deadly plague. During an extravagant masquerade across seven colored rooms, a strange masked figure appears. When Prospero confronts the intruder, the illusion of safety collapses—and the Red Death claims everyone, proving no walls can stop mortality.

Searchable Teacher Keywords

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• Text evidence and close reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to teach the Original Text to use this?

No. The Discussion Questions and Exit Quiz are designed to be answerable from the Accessible Text (HILO) and Leveled Text, with clean mapping to the Original Text for optional extension and quoting practice.

What if my class has mixed reading levels?

Assign Accessible (HILO), Leveled, or Original based on what supports comprehension today. Everyone can still complete the same Discussion Questions, Exit Quiz, and Final Worksheet.

Can students using the Accessible Text (HILO) still participate?

Yes. Discussion Questions and possible answers are written at a Grade 6 language level, and the Exit Quiz is cross-version aligned.

Common Core State Standards

• RL.8.1 / RL.9-10.1 / RL.CCR.1 — Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• RL.8.2 / RL.9-10.2 / RL.CCR.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
• RL.8.3 / RL.9-10.3 / RL.CCR.3 — Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
• RL.8.4 / RL.9-10.4 / RL.CCR.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of word choice on meaning and tone.
• RL.8.5 / RL.9-10.5 / RL.CCR.5 — Analyze how an author’s choices about structure and sequencing create effects such as mystery, tension, or surprise and contribute to meaning and style.
• RL.8.6 / RL.9-10.6 / RL.CCR.6 — Analyze how point of view and perspective shape what the reader knows and how the text creates effects such as suspense or irony.
• RL.8.10 / RL.9-10.10 / RL.CCR.10 — Read and comprehend literature at the appropriate grade-level text complexity band independently and proficiently.
• W.8.1 / W.9-10.1 / W.CCR.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
• W.8.2 / W.9-10.2 / W.CCR.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly through selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
• W.8.9 / W.9-10.9 / W.CCR.9 — Draw evidence from literary texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
• SL.8.1 / SL.9-10.1 / SL.CCR.1 — Engage effectively in collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing one’s own clearly.
• L.8.4 / L.9-10.4 / L.CCR.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases using context and a range of strategies.