Reading comprehension

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

Corrections  (May 15, 2025 8.32pm) Apostrophe error in title fixed on all 6 pages.  (May 15 2.30pm) Bonus question 25 part c: the answer has 7 letters - not 8. Apologies!

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
Functional English reading
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

This is a reading comprehension resource but also includes a writing and a presentation task.  There are three texts with questions. Target levels 1 and 2 Functional English and/or ESOL. 

Nettles are generally dismissed as weeds, however, they are in fact a versatile plant with many surprising uses. 

Editor's notes

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FS Eng L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FS Eng L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
ESOL
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
ESOL Rt/L2.3a Identify the main points and specific detail in different types of text of varying lengths & detail
ESOL Wt/L1.2a Select how much to write and the level of detail to include
ESOL Wt/L1.5a Select format and appropriate structure for different purposes and genres
ESOL Sc/L1.4a Present information and ideas in a logical sequence
ESOL Sc/L2.5a Present information & ideas in a logical sequence and provide further detail and development to clarify or confirm understanding
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Gardening & Horticulture
Science, Nature & Weather

Part of the Living in the UK series, this resource covers reading, writing and communication for Entry 1-3 learners. 

There are two separate resources: one for E2-E3 and a simplified version for E1.  Each features an illustrated short reading text followed by:

  • comprehension questions
  • punctuation questions
  • various writing tasks
  • suggestions for short talks and Q&A sessions

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FE E3.18 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly & in logical sequence e.g. chronologically, by task
FE E3.19 Write text of appropriate length & level of detail
FS Eng E1.6 Make clear statements, communicate feelings & opinions on straightforward topics
FS Eng E2.5 Clearly express straightforward information & communicate feelings / opinions
FE E3.3 Communicate information & opinions clearly on a range of topics
FE E2.2 Make requests & ask clear questions appropriately in different contexts
FE E3.2 Make requests & ask concise questions using appropriate language in different contexts
FS Eng E2.1 Identify & extract main information & detail from short explanations
FS Eng E3.1 Identify & extract relevant information & detail in straightforward explanations
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Ws/E2.3a Use correct punctuation, e.g. capital letters, full stops, question marks
ESOL Sc/E1.4a Make simple statements of fact
ESOL Sc/E2.3c Give a short account
ESOL Sc/E3.4c Give an account/narrate events in the past
ESOL Sc/E2.2d Ask for factual information (present, past, future)
ESOL Sc/E3.3b Ask questions to obtain personal or factual information
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Family and relationships
Catering Food Nutrition

A substantial comprehension resource about recycling and general waste in the UK. It includes sections relating to general recycling, fly tipping and dog fouling. There is also information about the new regulations coming into force next year.

It is suitable for Functional Skills English, general comprehension and ESOL at higher levels. There are a number of activities and SPaG questions and a writing task. 

Editor's notes:

Level
Level 1
Level 2
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FS Eng SL&C Speaking - Clearly communicate information, ideas & opinions
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE WRITING Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
FE Writing composition
T Levels - General English Competencies (GEC)
ESOL
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL Present information
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Writing sentence focus - punctuation and grammar (Ws)
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability

A short, simple reading and comprehension resource for Entry 1 ESOL or Functional English

Editor's notes

Delightfully simple and straightforward yet very useful.

Level
Entry Level 1
English
FE E1.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
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
Animals, animal care, farming & equine
Family and relationships

Part of the Living in the UK series, this resource focuses on basic sentences for Entry 1-2 learners.

There is a reading text  (informal message) about meeting new neighbours. As the learner moves through the resource they will encounter:

  • comprehension questions
  • basic sentence punctuation
  • speaking and listening tasks
  • a further reading text about BBQ safety
  • two writing tasks.

This resource lends itself well to group, teacher led learning although it can be used by individuals working alone.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E1.11 Punctuate simple sentences with capital letter & full stop
FE E1.12 Use capital letter for pronoun ‘I’ and proper nouns
FE E1.13 Use lower-case letters when there is no reason to use capital letters
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FS Eng E1.6 Make clear statements, communicate feelings & opinions on straightforward topics
FS Eng E2.5 Clearly express straightforward information & communicate feelings / opinions
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Ws/E1.1a Construct a simple sentence, using basic word order & verb form
ESOL Ws/E1.2a Use basic punctuation to show where sentences begin and end
ESOL Ws/E1.3a Use basic punctuation to write about oneself using "I"
ESOL Ws/E2.1a Construct simple and compound sentences
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL Sc/E1.4a Make simple statements of fact
ESOL Sc/E2.3c Give a short account
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Family and relationships
Catering Food Nutrition

Continuing with the theme “A celebration of British fruit”, this reading comprehension resource is about the delightful medlar fruit. At Levels 1 and 2 there are additional punctuation and grammar questions, spelling, and fact and opinion. There is also a speaking and listening group discussion/ presentation task. At Entry 3 there is a revised text with questions and discussion ideas. The final text is simplified for Entry 1 and 2 with some appropriate questions.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE E3.13 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas)
FE E3.6 Make relevant contributions to group discussions about straightforward topics
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.8 Make relevant and constructive contributions to move discussion forward
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E3.1b Take part in more formal interaction
ESOL Sd/L1.2a Express views and opinions
ESOL Sd/L2.2c Express views, opinions, feelings, wishes
ESOL Sd/L2.2d Persuade, warn, rebuke, etc
ESOL Sd/L2.4a Support opinions and arguments with evidence
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
ESOL Rt/E3.2a Distinguish between different purposes of texts at this level
ESOL Ws/E2.3a Use correct punctuation, e.g. capital letters, full stops, question marks
ESOL Ws/E3.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity in relation to beginnings and ends of sentences
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

Fraud and Scams in the UK 

This resource looks at phone and other types of scams and fraud.  It alerts the reader to the common tactics used by scammers and offers suggestions to avoid becoming a victim. The text is suitable for higher level E3 to L1-2 but the material is easily adapted for lower levels. Part of the Living in the UK series. 

Editor's notes

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE READING understanding and locating information
FE Writing composition
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FS Eng SL&C Active listening
FS Eng SL&C Speaking - Clearly communicate information, ideas & opinions
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL Speak to communicate (Sc)
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
ICT
EDS: Being safe & responsible online
Context
Equality and safeguarding
Independent living

This activity uses the prologue of The Secret History (Donna Tartt, 1992) to examine structure, language features and basic inference skills.

Editor's notes

Cleverly constructed questions and clear layout creates a super, very accessible and useful resource. :)

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas

I attach an annotated version of the resource ‘Education - a sorry story’.  I’ve found all the resources around this text / story really useful for my FS L2 classes and have led into good discussions and onto some useful comparisons with other related texts. 

Editor's notes

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references
Context
Education and teaching
News, Politics & Government items