Understanding Functional Skills English Reading level 1 Workbook 4 - Identify suitable responses to texts EQL SOLUTIONS
INTRODUCTION TO THE READING COMPONENT OF THE ENGLISH FUNCTIONAL SKILLS QUALIFICATION Skill Standard - Read and understand a range of straightforward texts. As a learner you are required to demonstrate sufficient reading skills to ensure you attain all of the coverage and range criteria within each qualification. For the level 1 Reading award there are 4 main criteria to meet: a. Identify the main points and ideas and how they are presented in a variety of texts b. Read and understand texts in detail c. Utilise information contained in texts d. Identify suitable responses to texts Assessment The specifications require learners to complete a single controlled assessment component in Reading. The controlled assessment component (test) requires learners to complete an externally set and marked series of exercises, either on-screen or paper-based within a 45 minute window of time. Over 50% of the exercises will require open-response answers however writing ability will not be assessed specifically within this test. It is anticipated that the pass mark is set at around 60% of available marks with a possible 20 marks to be achieved at level 1. It is recommended that the Reading test is taken around the same time as the English Writing test however it is not compulsory to do this. Please note: Learners must pass all three aspects of Functional Skills English listed below to be awarded the full English qualification at this level. Speaking, Listening and Communication Reading Writing Page 2
INFORMATION ON READING The Reading award asks you to demonstrate your skills across more than one type of text. The types of text that you could therefore be asked to read could include: e-mail, memo, newspaper article, web-page, advertisement, brochure, poster, magazine article, poem, instructions, letter, manual, newsletter, recipe, menu, leaflet, report. the list is extensive, however you need to familiarise yourself with these different formats. There will be 2 types of text to read before answering questions on each. Some questions will be closed type (e.g. multiple-choice) and others will be short open ended written questions to complete. The 2 documents will be themed or linked around a similar subject or topic. 1. Multiple choice questions: Multiple-choice questions can be written in two different ways: a. As a question, ending with a question mark - e.g. Which one of these statements is true, according to the text? b. As an unfinished sentence, which you need to complete - e.g. Too much fried food is bad for you because In both cases, you need to choose the best of the four possible answers given. Only one answer is correct. Read and test out all four answers carefully before you make up your mind more than one may seem to be right at first glance. The questions may focus on: The main point or idea in a text what the writer is really trying to say in the text. Another way of asking this would be to ask what the writer s aim or purpose is. You can find this kind of information by skimming a text The details in the text individual ideas or pieces of information which help to convey the main idea. You might find this information by scanning the text for key words and by close reading How the main points are presented the way in which the writer gets his ideas across, through: a. Language (e.g. by using descriptive words or words which appeal to people s feelings) b. Layout (e.g. in a chart, table or bullet-pointed list, using bold print or italics, adding an image, different font sizes, etc.) Page 3
2. Open-ended questions Instead of choosing from answers given to you, with this type of question you need to write your own answer based on the information in the text. It is very important to read the question carefully. The way the question is worded will give you valuable clues about how you should answer it. Make sure you match your answer to the question. Questions asking you about information or ideas in the text may ask for a certain of pieces of information (e.g. 3 examples, 2 reasons, 3 disadvantages, etc.). You will often receive 1 mark for each correct example you give, so take care to do as the question asks. If the question includes words like list or identify you can simply give this information without explaining it and you may be able to quote phrases from the text as your answer (especially if you are asked to give examples ). On the other hand, questions which test your understanding will ask you to explain or give reasons for something and you will need to give a more detailed answer using your own words. Just as with the multiple-choice questions, some questions will focus on how the writer presents information or ideas, through the language or layout of the text. These questions are asking you to explain something in your own words, but you should also give examples from the text to support your explanation. Top Tip: The of marks for each part is shown after the question. This should give you a clue about how much you are expected to write. For example, it is likely that you will have to write quite a bit more answering a question worth 4 marks than one worth only 1 or 2. Page 4
IDENTIFY SUITABLE RESPONSES TO TEXTS Rt/L1.2 Reading a text and taking appropriate action Most writers want their readers to respond to what they are writing. Make sure you read a text carefully and: Work out what the writer s purpose is. Are they advertising? Instructing you? Trying to argue you into agreeing with them? Search for any instructions in the text that tell you exactly what you have to do, e.g. apply by email, send two coupons and a proof of purchase Find any hints in the text that give you clues about the best way to respond, e.g. a letter is written in very formal English so you should reply in the same way Plan the best way to respond to the text, e.g. if it s a letter asking for information then go through it and underline all the details you need to include in your reply What is summarising? In certain reading questions you may be expected to pick out the main points of a piece of text (see workbook 1 of these English L1 resources) and to then briefly summarise them to demonstrate your understanding of the text. Definition: A summary is a shortened version of a longer text. Sometimes you need to read lengthy pieces of information, extract the main points in order to make a decision, then give an opinion or draw conclusions. Summarising is an important skill that is often used when researching, gathering or presenting information. A good example of summarising is preparing a Curriculum Vitae (CV). A summary should not contain unnecessary detail or be written like an essay. Page 5
Summarising a written text Here are some hints for summarising a text: Read the original text thoroughly to make sure you understand its overall meaning Be aware that sometimes you might have to read between the lines to pick up hidden information Underline or highlight the main points of the text, ignoring any unnecessary facts, descriptions or opinions. Make a note of the most important details - you could even draw a diagram or use pictures if this helps Link together the key points using sentences or paragraphs, as appropriate Use headings or sub-headings if the text you re shortening is long Reading and responding to different texts Very often writers want readers to do something in response to what they have written. Read such texts very carefully to find out: What you need to do (e.g. write a letter of application for a job) How you are meant to do it (e.g. you need to write a formal letter of application) Plan your response carefully to make sure: You are giving the writer exactly what they want You are going to include enough detail Once you have identified a suitable response to a text then you can start to plan your writing. For writing guidance please refer to the relevant sections in the English level 1 Writing workbooks. Page 6
Please find below a selection of very useful websites that can provide additional support resources in English. Please take the time to study and review these. http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/english Click on a topic you are interested in and you will see the different types of materials or activities that are there to help you with that topic. For each topic, you will find fact sheets, worksheets, quizzes and games. Job skills related resources also available. http://www.skillsworkshop.org/literacy A good website with adult literacy and numeracy activities including more than 1500 free Functional Skills and Skills for Life resources. http://premierskills.britishcouncil.org/ Learn English online with the help of this free website brought to you by the British Council and Barclays Premier League. Communicate in two of the world s global languages English and football http://rwp.excellencegateway.org.uk/interactive%20materials/ These are interactive literacy and numeracy practice materials, designed to supplement teaching. The practice material is generic and has been set in everyday recognisable settings. http://www.braingames.org.uk/brain_games_main/flash.aspx Interactive quizzes that allows you to develop both English and maths skills. Even has a facility to be used on a mobile device. Page 7
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS For example test questions linked with how to IDENTIFY THE MAIN POINTS AND IDEAS AND HOW THEY ARE PRESENTED IN A VARIETY OF TEXTS please refer specifically to questions: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 of Test A 1, 2, 3, 8, 9,10 and 11 of Test B However it would be beneficial if the other questions are also studied which link in with the other criteria of the level 1 English award. TEST 1 - SECTION A Read Text A and answer questions 1-7. Text A: You read this in The Estrick Daily News. LAUGHING IS THE BEST MEDICINE If someone smiles at you, more often than not you will smile back. If someone starts laughing you will soon feel the urge to start laughing yourself. When laughing you feel happy and friendly towards other people. Your life feels wonderful and you are without a care in the world. On top of that, research shows that laughing has health benefits. Laughing: reduces stress levels protects your heart by increasing your blood flow releases chemicals in your body which help to protect you from illness. As laughing is so good for us, how can we make sure that we start to laugh a lot more in everyday life? Here are a few suggestions: read a joke book go and see a comedy film watch a stand-up comedian go out with friends who laugh a lot. Making people laugh is now big business. For example, a well-known hotel, Estrick Park, now offers Weekend Laughter Breaks. Popular comedians entertain every Friday and Saturday evening in the Comedy Lounge. There are plenty of fun competitions, such as the funniest joke contest, comedy quizzes and the funniest laugh award. And if you can t give up a whole weekend, many colleges are starting to offer short courses in laughing. Laughing can make you happier, healthier and improve your relationships. So don t take things too seriously and try to see the funny side of life! Page 8
questions 1 to 2 with a cross in the box. 1. The main purpose of the article is to: a. Tell the reader that laughing will make them more popular b. Encourage the reader to become a stand-up comedian c. Tell the reader about the benefits of laughing d. Persuade the reader to go on a comedy weekend (Total for Question 1 = 1 mark) 2. According to Text A, Estrick Park Weekend Laughter Breaks provide: a. Guidance on how to tell jokes b. Comedy film nights c. Short courses in laughing d. Comedy competitions (Total for Question 2 = 1 mark) 3. Which of these statements about Estrick Park Weekend Laughter Breaks is true? a. Popular comedians judge the joke competition b. You can take part in the funniest walk competition c. Popular comedians perform in the Comedy Lounge d. You have to take part in the comedy quiz (Total for Question 4 = 1 mark) 4. According to Text A laughing is becoming big business. Give one example. (Total for Question 4 = 1 mark) Page 9
5. List two features of Text A that help to present information. 1. 2. (Total for Question 5 = 2 marks) 6. Laughing is good for your health. Using Text A, find two reasons other than health why laughing is good for you. 1. 2. (Total for Question 6 = 2 marks) 7. Your friend cannot come to the Estrick Park Weekend Laughter Break. Using the information in Text A, give your friend two other ways how she can include more laughter in her daily life. 1. 2. (Total for Question 7 = 2 marks) TOTAL FOR SECTION A = 10 MARKS Page 10
TEST 1 SECTION B Read Text B and answer questions 8-13. Text B: You are thinking of booking a Weekend Laughter Break at Estrick Park Hotel. THE ESTRICK PARK HOTEL The Estrick Park Hotel is a 20-room hotel situated on the seafront at Estrick. Each of the rooms has a stylish interior with en-suite facilities, satellite television, DVD player and a magnificent sea view. All the rooms are well stocked with DVDs that are guaranteed to get you laughing. Click on the Rooms tab for information about room prices throughout the year. A typical day on the Weekend Laughter Break: 8.00-9.00 Breakfast Cards with the pick of the jokes from the previous night placed on your table. 9.00-10.15 Joke class 1 You will get the chance to write your own jokes helped by an experienced comedy writer. 10.30-12.00 Joke class 2 A comedian will give you advice on how to tell jokes. You will get the chance to tell your jokes and get an audience laughing. 12.30-14.00 Lunch A magician will entertain you while you are eating. 14.30-16.00 Cinema Comedy film/show of the day will be shown on the large screen in the Comedy Lounge. 16.15-17.30 Comedy workshop You will write your own comedy sketches. 17.30-19.00 Evening meal Music from a live band. 20.00-23.00 Cabaret The comedian of the day will entertain you as well as organising the Funniest Joke contest and picking out the most unusual laugh in the audience. Other workshops available: Comedy acting and comedy singing. Manager s comments The aim of the hotel is simple: we want you to have a great time and laugh as much as possible. You ll find our staff very friendly and the food excellent. We know you will return home relaxed and full of happy memories. Gareth Evans Manager Page 11
question 8 with a cross in the box you think is correct. If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross. 8. What is the main purpose of this web page? a. To give dates when the Weekend Laughter Break is available b. To describe a typical day at the Weekend Laughter Break c. To persuade you to book a beach holiday at the hotel d. To give you information about prices at the hotel (Total for Question 8 = 1 mark) 9. Identify two features from the list below that show that Text B is a web page. a. Photograph b. Manager s name c. Web address d. Hotel address e. Subheadings f. Search box (Total for Question 9 = 2 marks) 10. Using Text B, identify two types of entertainment provided at mealtimes. 1. 2. (Total for Question 10 = 2 marks) Page 12
11. Your friend wants to come to the Weekend Laughter Break but is not sure if she would like the hotel. Using the information in Text B, give two reasons why you think she would like the hotel. 1. 2. (Total for Question 11 = 2 marks) 12. According to Text B, how can you find out about the prices of the rooms? (Total for Question 12 = 1 mark) 13. Your friend is going to the Weekend Laughter Break and wants to learn new skills. Using the information from Text B, identify two skills she could learn. 1. 2. (Total for Question 13 = 2 marks) TOTAL FOR SECTION B = 10 MARKS TOTAL FOR PAPER = 20 MARKS Page 13
TEST 2 - SECTION A Read Text A and answer questions 1-7. Text A: The manager of your company has asked you to organise a team building event for staff. You have found this leaflet. Sagar Manor - Adventure Centre Planning a team building event? Here at Sagar Manor we have just what you re looking for because we believe The Team That Works Together Wins Together: Our team training games are suitable for all ages and abilities. An outdoor team building day offers an excellent way of raising morale*. Our exercises provide opportunities to develop skills in teamwork, decision-making, leadership and planning. No worries! We plan everything. We provide all the equipment. Our experienced staff are here to help at all times. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy yourselves. Amazing! Sagar Manor is in the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. Our grounds cover 300 acres of fantastic countryside including rivers, woodlands, hills and open spaces. You will be amazed by the range of outdoor activities to choose from: Climbing Paintball Walking Archery Riding Canoeing Raft racing Golf And much more! Our purpose-built facilities are open all year round. A day package includes the activities of your choice, all specialist equipment, personal accident insurance, tea/coffee/pastries on arrival, and a light lunch of soup and sandwiches. Length of day: 0930-1700 Cost: 125 per person with reductions for groups of 6 people or more. Drop in! Come and visit us for a coffee, see for yourselves what we have to offer and discuss your event details. Please contact John Miller on 01753465877 or email jmiller@sagarmanor. come to make an appointment. Page 14
questions 1 to 3 with a cross in the box you think is correct. 1. The main purpose of this leaflet is to: a. Tell readers about Dartmoor National Park b. Persuade readers to hold a team building event at Sagar Manor c. Invite readers to have a coffee with John Miller d. Ask readers to choose their activities (Total for Question 1 = 1 mark) 2. According to Text A, outdoor team building events are organised to: a. Improve physical fitness b. Improve morale c. Encourage people to join the centre d. Encourage people to enjoy the countryside (Total for Question 2 = 1 mark) 3. Which of these statements about Sagar Manor Adventure Centre is true? a. It is for members only b. It is only open in the summer c. It provides the specialist equipment needed d. It offers reductions for 8 people or more (Total for Question 3 = 1 mark) Page 15
4. Name one outdoor activity offered by Sagar Manor Adventure Centre which takes place on water. (Total for Question 4 = 1 mark) 5. List two features of Text A that show it is an information leaflet. 1. 2. (Total for Question 5 = 2 marks) 6. Your manager is unsure whether to go ahead with a booking at the Sagar Manor Adventure Centre. Suggest two aspects of the day package that would help convince your manager to choose this adventure centre. 1. 2. (Total for Question 6 = 2 marks) 7. Some of the people in your team want to know why they should take part in a team building event. Using Text A, give two reasons why this event is a good idea for the team. 1. 2. (Total for Question 7 = 2 marks) TOTAL FOR SECTION A = 10 MARKS Page 16
TEST 2 SECTION B Read Text B and answer questions 8-13. Text B: You have made the booking with Sagar Manor Adventure Centre and have been directed to this web page. Sagar Manor Adventure Centre Programme of the Day We keep to the timetable to make sure all activities are completed successfully. 09:30 tea, coffee, pastries 09:45 health and safety briefing (must be attended by all) 10:00-11:30 activity one 11:30-13:00 activity two 13:00-14:00 lunch 14:00-15:30 activity three 15:30-16:00 break 16:00-17:00 feedback and awards Further Details: 1. Refreshments are provided on arrival and at lunch time. We do recommend that your team members bring water and they do need to bring practical clothing and safe footwear to change into. 2. Lockers are provided for the safe keeping of belongings, and we ask that this includes mobile phones. 3. Some activities are challenging so you need to make sure that all group members have been medically cleared if necessary. 4. An instructor who has first aid training will lead each activity. It is important that you follow instructions at all times so that you enjoy the day. 5. The break in the afternoon gives your team members time to take refreshments, get changed and collect their belongings from the lockers. 6. At the final session, we ask you to fill in evaluation forms as part of the feedback before we move on to the awards. 7. All members of your team will take away individual certificates of attendance. 8. All team members will receive discount vouchers for future events. Sagar Manor looks forward to meeting you and your team and will do everything to ensure you have a successful day. Page 17
question 8 with a cross in the box you think is correct. If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross. 8. What is the main purpose of Text B? a. To persuade you to book b. To thank you for booking c. To welcome you to the event d. To inform you about the day (Total for Question 8 = 1 mark) question 9 with a cross in the two boxes you think are correct. If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross. 9. Identify two features from the list below that show Text B is a web page. a. Timetable of the day b. Heading c. Bold font d. Menu e. Numbered points f. Web address (Total for Question 9 = 2 marks) 10. According to Text B, identify two things team members will take away from the event. 1. 2. Page 18
11. Some of your team are concerned about how Sagar Manor Adventure Centre will look after them on the day. Using Text B, give two ways in which Sagar Manor Adventure Centre cares for its clients. 1. 2. (Total for Question 11 = 2 marks) 12. According to Text B, when can you give your views of the event to the staff in Sagar Manor Adventure Centre? (Total for Question 12 = 1 mark) 13. You want to make sure the team gets the most out of the day. Using Text B, which two pieces of advice would you give your team in your team meeting before the event? 1. 2. (Total for Question 13 = 2 marks) TOTAL FOR SECTION B = 10 MARKS TOTAL FOR PAPER = 20 MARKS Page 19
ANSWER SCHEME FOR TEST 1 Section A Question 1 C - Tell the reader about the benefits of laughing (1) Question 2 D - Comedy competitions (1) Question 3 C - Popular comedians perform in the Comedy Lounge (1) Question 4 Weekend laughter breaks (1) Short courses in laughing (1) One mark for the correct answer. (1) Question 5 Accept any reasonable answer giving features of the text that help present information, based on the text, up to a maximum of two marks. s may include: Title/headline/heading Image/picture/photograph (of a person laughing) Bullet points Italics/block capitals for title/bold for title (2) Page 20
Question 6 Accept any reasonable answer about why laughing is good for you, based on the text, up to a maximum of two marks. s may include: Makes you happier Friendly towards other people Life feels wonderful You don t have a care in the world Improves your relationships (2) Question 7 Accept any reasonable answer about including laughter in daily life, based on the text, up to a maximum of two marks s may include: Read joke books Go and see a comedy film Watch a stand-up comedian Go on a short course in laughing Go out with friends who laugh a lot (2) Question 8 B - To describe a typical day at the Weekend Laughter Break (1) Question 9 C Web address F Search box One mark for each correct answer (2) Question 10 Cards with jokes (from the previous night) (1) Magician (1) Live music (1) One mark for each correct answer, up to a maximum of two marks. (2) Page 21
Question 11 Accept any reasonable answer about why your friend would like the hotel, based on the text, up to a maximum of two marks. s include: Stylish interior (rooms) Satellite DVD player DVDs guaranteed to get you laughing En-suite Three star Excellent food Friendly Rooms with sea view/hotel on sea front (2) Question 12 Click (on) Rooms (tab) One mark for a correct answer. (1) Question 13 s include: Punctuality/be there on time Bring water Follow instruction Wear practical clothing/safe shoes Make sure you are fit/medically cleared Accept any reasonable answer, based on the text, up to a maximum of two marks (2) Page 22
NOTES Page 23
Understanding Functional Skills WB4 English Reading L1 V3