FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details

A reading practise exercise in the style of formal reading exams. Read about unusual hobbies and then choose multiple choice, true/false, and other questions to check a range of reading skills including tone, layout features, vocabulary and general comprehension.

Editor's notes

Written for E3 ESOL but also provides useful and relevant practice for E3-L1 Functional Skills English. Includes a proof reading question on grammar, spelling and punctuation. Interesting article on ghost hunting and keeping ants!

Reading activities to practise reading skills and prepare for exams. The first activity is 3 reading texts and exam style questions focussing on purpose, tone, features and other skills. The second activity asks students to select the correct word practising spelling, grammar and vocabulary skills. All activities are along the theme of hobbies and free time activities. Help to prepare for Entry 3 reading exams.

Editor's notes

This lesson gives students the opportunity to discuss fundraising and practise reading skills (scanning and reading for detail). The reading text focuses on Mick Cullen, also known as ‘SpeedoMick’, and his long distance walks for charity. The lesson encourages students to try to empathise with Mick and better understand his background, character and motivations. Themes of mental health are also prominent and so it is advised you check with your learners first/use your own professional judgement before doing the optional video task.

A simplified version of a news report taken from ABC's Behind the News. Dating from 2020 it talks bout US Gun Laws from an Australian perspective. The reading text also comes with comprehension questions, a cloze passage, dictionary activities and a writing prompt. There are related tasks at two levels E3/L1 and L1/2.

Editor's notes

Also ideal for stimulating discussion (and thus great practice for the FS speaking and listening assessments). The L1-2 questions provide the opportunity to write longer answers and include a  writing prompt.

Reading, writing and discussion tasks based on this news story from the Metro website: 'Bored' security guard draws eyes on £740,000 painting in gallery | Metro News

For E3, L1,L2 Functional Skills English. 

Editor's notes

A lovely engaging story with a wide range of reading questions, three writing tasks (article/blog, letter, description) and a discussion prompt.

A reading, spelling and punctuation add-on Wordwall quiz for our popular Shrove Tuesday L1 reading assessment (Maggie Harnew, 2016). Select the correct answer(s) for each question. Uses a Pancake Day text from an online newspaper article. 12 quick questions covers purpose, source, main points and detail, comma use and vocabulary. Can be used independently of the original resource.

What is the International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination? Why is it important and what can we learn from it?
Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about the importance of racial equality while building their English skills.

An interactive onscreen exercise, created in Wordwall, to celebrate the successes of the GB curling teams in the Beijing Winter Olympics. Based on the Queen's congratulatory message of Feb 20, 2022. 12 multiple choice questions cover  purpose, style,  main points and detail, punctuation and vocabulary. Also makes a great discussion prompt. Written for Level 1 and beyond but many questions will be accessible to Entry Level 3.

A reading add-on quiz for our popular  Valentine's Day E1-L1 Functional English tasks  (Maggie Harnew, 2018). Select the correct answer(s) for each question. Uses a recipe text from the original resource. 12 quick questions covers purpose, main points and detail, abbreviations, recognising imperatives, comma use and vocabulary. Can be used independently of the original resource.

25/1/2022 15:55 updated: ambiguity removed from Q12 (purpose of commas) & answer sheet now available

St Dwynwen's Day is celebrated every year on January 25 and is often referred to as the "Welsh St Valentine's Day".  Learn more about the history of Dwynwen whilst consolidating many aspects of Functional English reading including: purpose, style, identifying meaning, vocabulary and dictionary work, organisational features, main points and detail, and using punctuation to aid understanding. 

Editor's note