Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts

Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts (a) Understand that continuous texts may be structured round a main event(s), idea(s), or theme(s) (b) Understand that it is sometimes necessary to infer meaning which is not explicitly stated, in order to arrive at a correct overall understanding (c) Understand that judgements can be made about texts from an overall understanding of their content, by reflecting on what has been read

Michael Jackson obituary

A series of comprehension, vocabulary, apostrophe and summarising questions.

Level
Level 2
English
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Rt/L2.8
Rw/L2.2
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Madonna mauls Eminem's critics

Topical comprehension based on a 2001 BBC News report with comprehension & vocabulary questions written for E2E learners. Although this is an old report from 2001 it is still of interest to younger students and ideal for provoking discussion about appropriate language, lyrics, etc.

Level
Level 2
English
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Rt/L2.3 Identify the main points and specific detail
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Rw/L2.2
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)

'Snail Mail' blazes slow e-trail

A topical comprehension activity based on a BBC news report. Covers general comprehension – focusing on ‘recognising the main points’, along with vocabulary/synonyms and writing.

Level
Level 2
English
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Rt/L2.3 Identify the main points and specific detail
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Adult Literacy: Writing
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)

Dr Who reading practice

A topical comprehension activity with two sets of differentiated questions (also includes alphabetical ordering) for E3-L1 and L2. Makes a great practice / revision activity before L1-2 exams. Based on a 2008 report on the BBC web site about the executive producer, Russel Davies, stepping down.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Rt/E3.7
Rt/E3.8
Rt/L1.5
Rt/L2.7 Use different reading strategies to find and obtain information, e.g. skimming, scanning, detailed reading
Rw/E3.4
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

The German Shepherd dog

A Level 1/2 text with comprehension questions. Ideal for any student with an interest in animals.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

Merry Hill Shoppers

Merry Hill Shoppers is a series of tasks based on this Midlands shopping centre. Covers reading comprehension, maps, giving and following instructions and makes a good starting point for discussion about crime (theft) and the police. First used with New Deal students. With ideas for extension and for adapting to your local area.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
SLlr/L1.2
SLlr/L2.2
SLc/L1.3
Adult Lit SLc/L2.3 Express clearly statements of fact, explanations, instructions, accounts & descriptions, using appropriate structure, style & vocabulary
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service

Myths and legends

Myths and legends is a set of three worksheets designed to encourage students to explore the language used in three English legends (Matilda’s Bracelet, The Abandoned Children of Wailing Wood, The Ghost Hound of Lyme Regis). Stories can all be listened to on the wonderful http://myths.e2bn.org/mythsandlegends/ site (printable versions are also available). Questions also cover general comprehension and dictionary work.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Fiction
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Rw/E3.3
Rw/L1.1

Inheritance

Inheritance is another wonderful, illustrated story from Tracy Richardson, Level 2 Literacy learner at Henley College, Coventry. The story is arranged in 13 chapters and is followed by comprehension questions, vocabulary and dictionary work, and a word search.

Contact through Robert Holt, who suggests using this story with Entry 3 – Level 2 learners for reading comprehension work.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
Fiction

Love Heart Literacy assignment

Covers alphabetical ordering, adjectives, reading comprehension, sentences and web research for E2-L2.

Sadly the original background history (on which the comprehension is based) is no longer available on the Swizzels Matlow or Love Heart sites. However related information can be found at the following sites which can make a good introduction to the assignment.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: writing - punctuation & grammar (Ws)
Adult Lit Ws/E2.2 Use Adjectives
Rw/E3.4
Rw/E2.4
Rt/L2.7 Use different reading strategies to find and obtain information, e.g. skimming, scanning, detailed reading
Rt/L2.3 Identify the main points and specific detail
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
Rt/L1.5
Rt/L1.4
Rt/L1.3
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service
History, culture, museums, libraries

Henry VIII

A Level 2 text with comprehension questions. Ideal for any student with an interest in history.

Level
Level 2
English
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Rw/L2.2
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