Contrast and Contradiction

Students reread a passage and highlight surprising, unusual, or contradictory details-moments when the character’s actions or emotions differ from the setting or description. They answer questions that require them to explain each contrast using evidence from the text. The activity teaches students that contradictions often reveal deeper meaning about characters, conflict, or theme. By analyzing Ella’s mismatch between her surroundings and feelings, students learn to interpret emotional subtext and understand how authors create layered storytelling.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Identifying Contrasts and Contradictions

English Language Arts – Textual Evidence for Interpretation

English Language Arts – Character Emotion and Conflict Analysis

English Language Arts – Close Reading of Descriptive Texts

English Language Arts – Understanding Theme Through Contrast

This worksheet is part of our close reading passages worksheets collection.