Writing assessments, tasks or prompts

Aimed at E3-L1 Functional Skills groups but could be used with higher / lower levels and adult literacy groups. It should generate plenty of discussion, too! A scaffolded step by step approach helps learners discuss, plan and draft their writing.

A PowerPoint presentation supplements the task sheet. There are facts and pictures to generate interest and to help students recognise some of the dangers involved.

Fully mapped to the Functional English criteria.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing

A practice exam question based on the style of Edexcel functional skills writing exam questions. Ideal for motor vehicle students.

One task for L1/L2 (formal letter) and one for E3 (letter) which also has a writing frame. Both tasks are on the subject of proposed changes to the driving test and driving laws for new drivers. A fictional story in Great Britain (currently) but real in Northern Ireland, this task also promotes lots of discussion from students which could be used for speaking and listening practice.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

Text about the 99p shop chain with comprehension questions, cloze exercise, writing numbers as words and more.

The text and picture are adapted from the wonderful First News site and the 99p Store site.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service

A Level 2 Functional Skills English pack based on the troubles in London and other parts of England in the summer of 2011.

Reading and writing activities are included, alongside answers.

Discussions across a range of subjects may stem from this work in order to inform Speaking and Listening skills practice.

Fully mapped to the Functional English criteria.

Level
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
General literacy / English
Context
News, Politics & Government items

This is a lower-level version of ‘My Busy Day’ Housework by Laurence Fletcher (see below) for a basic literacy for ESOL class. Also suitable for M8-E1 literacy.
Reading comprehension, simplified cloze and sentence exercises.

Level
M8
Entry Level 1
English
AL Rt/E1.1 Read short familiar texts
Rs/E1.1 Read and recognise simple sentence structures
Pre-entry
pre-Entry General
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
Context
Independent living

A set of exercises based on an article from the BBC News website. This article would interest learners with teenage children.
There is a comprehension exercise and vocabulary exercises on antonyms and synonyms. Learners are also invited to write their views. Useful for those working towards Level 2 Certificate in Adult Literacy.

Level
Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Context
Health, Social care, Early years

A set of exercises based around an article from the BBC News website during the adverse weather of 2010.
There are multiple choice comprehension questions, together with exercises on apostrophes, vocabulary and synonyms and anagrams. The learner is then asked to write his/her views.

Level
Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Rt/L2.3 Identify the main points and specific detail
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
Apostrophes
Context
Employment skills & Public services

This is an activity on New Year. It was written for an E3 ESOL class but could be adapted for E2 fairly easily too. There is a reading comprehension, a group activity, writing practice and also an optional cut-up “top Ten” resolutions activity.

I haven’t done a lesson plan to go with the resources as I think they could be easily adapted and used in different ways.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
ESOL
ESOL Rt/L1.1a Understand how meaning is built up in paragraphed texts
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

A series of challenging reading questions and writing activities based on three texts about the fast food industry.
Makes an ideal revision activity for Level 2 Functional Skills English. Fully mapped to the Functional English criteria.

Level
Level 2
English
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

A set of exercises based on an article from the BBC News website.
The article concerns a survey conducted by iPhone. There is a comprehension exercise, an exercise involving the identification of spelling errors and a synonym exercise. The learner is also asked to write their views. Useful for those working towards the Level 2 Certificate in Adult Literacy.

Level
Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: Reading at word level (phonics & vocabulary)
AL Ww/L2.1 Spell technical words
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)
Adult literacy: reading comprehension (Rt)
Context
News, Politics & Government items