Worksheet(s) or assignment

A traditional worksheet or assignment for printing on paper. Many can also be displayed successfully on an interactive whiteboard for group work.

Major update 19/01/24 written in 2005 but updated and re-mapped to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content. Page one is will prompt discussion and is probably best tackled in pairs or small groups. Page 2 is a handout with plenty of examples to study before moving on to the final pages of challenging exercises.

Answers are available (resource contributors only) please see answer sheets page for more details

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Adult Lit Rs/L2.2 Use punctuation to help interpret the meaning and purpose of texts
Apostrophes
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/L2.2a Use wide range of punctuation to help interpret meaning and purpose

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

An ESOL E1-2 (Local Community) reading comprehension with related writing activities that links to ESOL E1 type assessments. This set of resources explores every day, local or community activities: in this case the local library or community hub. Use as a whole class resource and/or independent learning/homework. 

Finally, there is a list of suggestions for extension activities around using the library/hub in your local area.  

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 E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E2.18 Complete a form asking for personal information (e.g. first name, surname, address, postcode, age, date of birth)
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
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 Rt/E2.4a Obtain information from illustrations, maps, diagrams and captions
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/E2.1b Record information on forms
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

A look at how to use the -er comparative with some simple exercises.  Explained in simple terms. Goes with my Super Superlatives resource.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E2.2f Ask for descriptions of people, places and things
ESOL Sc/E2.3f Give a short description
ESOL Sc/E3.3b Ask questions to obtain personal or factual information
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/E3.4f Give a short description and make comparisons
ESOL Sc/L1.3e Describe and compare
ESOL Sc/L2.4f Describe and compare
ESOL Lr/E2.5b Respond to requests for information
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Ws/E3.2a Use basic sentence grammar accurately
ESOL Ws/L1.2a Use sentence grammar accurately to achieve purpose
General
Study Skills and General Teaching

An exploration and explanation about using superlatives.  A large resource with explanations, discussion points and exercises. Can be adapted to suit different levels. Goes with my Comparing with Comparatives resource

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E2.2f Ask for descriptions of people, places and things
ESOL Sc/E2.3f Give a short description
ESOL Sc/E3.3b Ask questions to obtain personal or factual information
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/E3.4f Give a short description and make comparisons
ESOL Sc/L1.3e Describe and compare
ESOL Sc/L2.4f Describe and compare
ESOL Lr/E2.5b Respond to requests for information
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Ws/E3.2a Use basic sentence grammar accurately
ESOL Ws/L1.2a Use sentence grammar accurately to achieve purpose

This article looks at the gorgeous free growing wild bramble or blackberry.  It includes basic information (reading), spelling and grammar exercises and questions.

Editor's notes

Lovely information text that could also be useful for E3-L1 Functional Skills English. Also includes a short writing task and discussion points.  Part of Colleen's Living in the UK series. Look out for the Strawberries resource in the same series.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
ESOL
ESOL Sc/L1.3a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Rs/L1.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to predict meaning & check for sense
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.2a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different types of text, using appropriate strategies to work out meaning
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Wt/E3.2a
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Gardening & Horticulture

This article looks strawberries in the UK and how to grow your own.  It includes basic information (reading), spelling and grammar exercises and questions.

Editor's notes

Lovely information text that could also be useful for E3-L1 Functional Skills English. There are also speaking and listening tasks. Part of Colleen's Living in the UK series. Look out for the Blackberries resource in the same series.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E3.1c Express feelings, likes and dislikes
ESOL Sc/L1.3a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/L2.4b Give factual accounts 
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Rs/L1.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to predict meaning & check for sense
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.2a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different types of text, using appropriate strategies to work out meaning
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Gardening & Horticulture

This resource explains how and why we use the form 'had had' in English. This usage can be difficult to explain and even harder for native and non-native speakers/learners to grasp as it is used less frequently these days but still seen in more formal texts. 

It is useful for those trying to teach the topic or as part of a class session.  Use the resource/information whichever way suits you and your learners get the best out of it. 

For Level 1-2 ESOL and possibly Functional Skills English

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.20 Use correct grammar e.g. subject-verb agreement, consistent use of different tenses, definite & indefinite articles
FE L2.21 Use correct grammar (subject-verb agreement, consistent use of a verb tenses, definite & indefinite articles) & modality devices
ESOL
ESOL Sc/L1.3a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/L1.3c Narrate events in the past
ESOL Sc/E1.4a Make simple statements of fact
ESOL Sc/L2.4a Express statements of fact
ESOL Ws/L1.2a Use sentence grammar accurately to achieve purpose
ESOL Ws/L2.2a Use sentence grammar consistently and with accuracy