Reading comprehension

One or more texts accompanied by questions and/or other activities

A fabulous City and Guilds style E3 literacy assignment that covers all aspects of E3 speaking and listening, reading and writing (see Editor’s note below). Based on a real trip to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford it is written in a generic style and could be any local museum / art gallery.

Level
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Alphabetical order
Form filling
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
History, culture, museums, libraries

A really unusual reading comprehension exercise that also tests a range of maths skills (dates, large numbers, distance, etc.). Although the general reading level is around Level1 it is based on an Australian news article about a lottery winner and contains a lot of unfamiliar Australian vocabulary. Thus it also stretches Level 2 learners. An optional glossary is provided; this includes words such as swag, Slikpik, shire and half a dozen more.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Word origins
General literacy / English
Maths
General numeracy / maths
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

A simplified story from Australia explains how Linda and her daughters are saving for a holiday. Accompanied by comprehension questions, writing- personal-opinions type questions, a spelling-punctuation task and a short writing task. Fully mapped to E2 Functional English and adult literacy (with additional teaching tips). Australian glossary provided for UK readers.

Level
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
General literacy / English
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

A simplified story explains how Dan is making a cake for his son’s birthday. Accompanied by comprehension questions. Fully mapped to E2 Functional English and adult literacy (with additional teaching tips).

Level
Entry Level 2
English
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
Functional English reading
Fiction

Challenging L2 reading comprehension based on a 2008 BBC article about Philippe Petit’s 1972 high wire walk between the twin towers (written after Petit was interviewed on the Radio 4 Today programme). Tasks focus on summarising / re-wording, and punctuation (speech marks) but also include general comprehension and a short writing task. There is also an answer sheet ans useful links to online videos and trailers that can be used to introduce the task.

Level
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Adult literacy: reading comprehension (Rt)

Level 1 reading comprehension, spelling and vocabulary tasks based on an Australian local news article about a successful youth art project in Deception Bay. The tasks can be concluded nicely with a related crossword puzzle – ideal for individual work or for group work if displayed on an IWB.

Level
Level 1
English
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
Adult literacy: reading comprehension (Rt)
AL Recognise and understand a range of words
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

L1 literacy / ESOL practice on a slightly humorous BBC News article. It covers the main areas my learners have issues with: spelling, true or false and synonyms. With answer sheet.

Level
Level 1
English
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
Adult literacy: reading comprehension (Rt)
AL Recognise and understand a range of words
ESOL
General ESOL
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

Lovely E2 reading comprehension based on a short news article about a new turtle sanctuary at Weymouth Sea Life Park. Questions cover purpose and layout of text, general comprehension and vocabulary.

Level
Entry Level 2
English
Adult literacy: reading comprehension (Rt)
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

A substantial set of resources for BTEC Sport students. Based on a Functional English lesson given on Sport Relief day (but suitable for any time of year as it is based on the Back Up charity for spinal cord injuries – not Sport Relief). Includes

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional Skills English
Context
Sport and fitness

Lovely vocational workbook that is also ideal for embedding Entry Level Functional English reading. Covers the five main food groups with comprehension questions on each page. Plus a final food sorting / (optional) alphabetical order activity to check learning. Fully mapped to E2-E3 English with detailed tips and ideas for embedding the E2-E3 reading Skill Standards.

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Adult literacy: reading comprehension (Rt)
Functional English reading
Context
Independent living
Health, Social care, Early years
Catering Food Nutrition