Reading comprehension

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

Cash or Card? Functional Skills English Reading and Writing Workbook – Levels 1–2

This free Functional Skills English workbook explores the topical question: Should shops be allowed to refuse cash? Learners begin by reading a balanced information article before completing a range of reading activities and a practical transactional-writing task in which learners write a formal email to a supermarket manager.
Reading skills covered include:
• Retrieval questions
• Fact, opinion and bias
• Purpose, audience and language analysis
• Comparing contrasting viewpoints

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
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
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
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 L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service
Business & Money management

Pompeii and Herculaneum L1-2 Functional English assessment pack

A complete mock assessment pack based on the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum

The reading section contains two texts:

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
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 L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
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 L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

ESOL Entry 1/2/3 describing people lessons

A couple of lessons on describing people for Entry 1-3 ESOL learners. 

Includes: 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E1.3b Ask for information
ESOL Sc/E1.4a Make simple statements of fact
ESOL Lr/E1.2e Listen & extract key information
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Sc/E2.2d Ask for factual information (present, past, future)
ESOL Sc/E2.2f Ask for descriptions of people, places and things
ESOL Sc/E2.3f Give a short description
ESOL Sd/E2.1d Express views and opinions
ESOL Lr/E2.2a Listen for detail in narratives and explanations
ESOL Lr/E2.3c Listen for a specific purpose
ESOL Lr/E2.5b Respond to requests for information
ESOL Rt/E2.1b Use reading strategies to obtain information from texts
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Sc/E3.3d Ask for descriptions of people, places & things
ESOL Sc/E3.4f Give a short description and make comparisons
ESOL Lr/E3.2a Listen for detail in narratives & explanations
ESOL Rt/E3.8a Read every word to obtain specific information
General ESOL

ESOL Entry 3 text features lesson

A lesson to help Entry 3 ESOL learners understand text features in preparation for the reading exam (Ascentis exam board). Includes: 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FS Eng E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E2.9 Understand organisational markers in short, straightforward texts
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.2a Distinguish between different purposes of texts at this level
ESOL Rt/E3.3a Identify the key organisational features of instructional texts
ESOL Rt/L1.4a Use organisational & structural features to locate information
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes

Language Bias - The problem with waste (L2 assessment tasks)

This pack contains four reading texts, reading comprehension questions, writing tasks and several discussion and presentation ideas/prompts. 

The first two, very short, texts form part of an introductory discussion and reading session to explore biased language. The same event (teenagers in a park) is written about in a blog and in a newspaper article. Both use biased language to present a particular viewpoint.

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
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 L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FS Eng WRITING composition
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references
TL - Present Information and ideas
TL - Synthesise information
TL - Take part in / Lead discussions
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability

ESOL Entry 3 planning and paragraphs lesson

A lesson to help ESOL Entry 3 students understand how to plan a text and use paragraphs for the writing exam (Ascentis exam board). 

Includes: 

  • A PowerPoint
  • Links to videos 
  • Practice writing exam questions 
  • Revision of complex sentences

Editor's notes

Super pre-exam preparation and practice. Although written for Ascentis, easily be adapted to suit other awarding bodies. In addition to the paragraph and planning guidance, the coverage of complex sentences is excellent.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Wt/E3.1a Recognise the process of planning and drafting
ESOL Wt/E3.1b Make notes as part of the planning process
ESOL Wt/E3.2a Structure main points in short paragraphs
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences

Jane's Day - ESOL reading texts

This resource was previously presented as ‘A Day in the Life of Jane’ (no longer available). It has been revised and updated with changes to the texts and rearranged as one downloadable file. The texts are suitable for E3-L1 ESOL and Functional Skills English.

Part of the Jane collection. 

Editor's notes

A variety of reading texts with a range of purposes and formats (article, letter, email, application form, etc.).
This resource has no answer sheet. 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE E3.13 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas)
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE E3.15 Use mostly correct grammar e.g. subject-verb agreement, consistent use of tense, definite & indefinite articles
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Rt/L1.1a Understand how meaning is built up in paragraphed texts
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
Context
Education and teaching

E1-E2 practice assessments for ESOL

This is a set of reading and SPaG exercises suitable for E1-E2 ESOL. 

Six short,  simple texts with exercises similar to those a learner may find in the assessment papers. The texts may be given as a pack or individually. 

In addition to reading comprehension questions, activities include: form filling, reading a simple map (to give directions), a job application, alphabetic order and matching symbols /signs to their meanings.

Editor's notes

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 E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FS E2.18 Complete a form asking for personal information
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rt/E2.1b Use reading strategies to obtain information from texts
ESOL Wt/E2.1b Record information on forms
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 Rw/E2.5a Sequence words using basic alphabetical ordering skills
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service
Health, Social care, Early years

Lithium Batteries - Hidden Dangers

This resource is aimed at Entry Level ESOL and/ Functional English. It discusses the widespread use of lithium batteries, the dangers they pose and how to dispose of them safely.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
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 E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FE E3.20 Use appropriate format & structure inc. appropriate use of headings & bullet points
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
Pre-entry
pre-Entry General
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E1.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E2.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E3.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
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 Wt/E3.2a Structure main points in short paragraphs
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Health and safety
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

GetWorksheets.com

Getworksheets.com is a free US community site founded by teacher Cris but now the combined effort of 23 teachers and 6 home schoolers. It's a massive collection with an impressive quality control system that you can read about here.

Worksheets cover all ages and skills from preschool to college. You'll need to sort through as some sheets include childlike images not suitable for the majority of Functional Skills (FS) learners. However, there are hundreds of gems to be found and all can be freely printed.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English - writing
Maths
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
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