Writing assessments, tasks or prompts

A set of comprehension questions, together with vocabulary exercises, anagrams and a writing prompt.
Useful for those working towards Level 2 Certificate in Adult Literacy and anyone with an interest in word origins and English linguistics.
All based on an article from the BBC News website www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10776581
See below for links to other Level 2 exercises.

A super selection of functional English tasks. Based on a Red Nose Day / Comic Relief poster and story but can be used successfully at any time of year. Reading, writing and discussion tasks – with extra teaching ideas. Fully mapped to E1-2 Functional English.
Poster updated Feb 11 2011.

Housework is a set of three related resources:
Housework is a very funny video (with a rather predictable ending!) accompanied by words and jolly music and designed to introduce, complement or summarise the two related resources below.
Although aimed at M8-E2, ESOL/Literacy groups of all levels will enjoy this video and it is bound to prompt disucssion. Supplied as a zipped WMV (Windows Media Video) file (6.8 MB). A big thank you must go to Janet Fletcher who co-authored this video!

Fabulous series of reading; writing; and speaking, listening and communication tasks aimed at L1-2 and based on the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.
Includes 10 reading questions, summarising, dictionary work, discussion, writing prompts, and further ideas for extra Functional English (FE) work. Fully mapped to FE. Although topical this resource provides useful practice at any time of year.

A series of comprehension / research / dictionary tasks based on 3 separate short texts about Remembrance Day, the Menin Gate, and the Holocaust. The final task gives a choice of creative writing ideas.
Written for employment students in order to develop research, communciation and teamwork skills (but suitable for all L2 learners).

A series of reading and writing tasks based on an information text about the three main political parties in the UK. Written to help a group of Entry 3 learners prepare for their Entry 3 literacy tests but also suitable for (and fully mapped to) E3 Functional English.

Originally used pre-2010-election in a mixed ability (E1-L2) group but also makes an excellent Functional English resource at any time.
Detailed 2.5 hour lesson plan includes discussion, mini-presentations, web research and paired writing. Includes internet research guidance sheets, scaffolded gap-fill sheet to help with the web research task and a sample MP information sheet. Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E3-L2 Functional English.

A lovely set of writing tasks (each is accompanied by an example which also provides reading/purpose of text practice). 9 pages cover get well notes, party invitations, birthday notes, good luck cards, addressing envelopes and more. Most are accompanied by simple writing frames for a scaffolded approach.
Also includes simple grammar/spelling proof reading exercise, spelling (missing vowels) and extension/summative tasks with less scaffolding. Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E1-2 Functional English writing.

E3 Easter literacy assignment is a lovely topical set of reading and writing tasks covering comprehension, alphabetical order and dictionary work, form filling and letter planning/writing. Makes a great end of term activity.

A super, and very topical (Spring 2010), practice Level 2 Literacy test based on a student union magazine article about education cuts.
12 multiple choice questions cover spelling, comprehension, grammar, tone, punctuation, etc. These are followed by 5 non-multiple choice questions which include a writing task, persuasive writing techniques, and summarising.
Please also download the related PowerPoint (see below).
Contributed by Rachel Emmett and Rose Veitch