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As you know, ABE teachers are unique in that they often have English language learners (ELLs) and native English speakers in the same class. They may even have learners who are pre-literate in their home language so they are learning to read for the 1st time in English. ABE teachers also have learners who are adults with undiagnosed learning disabilities. So it’s hard to be specific because ABE instruction entails many different types of learners with a huge spectrum of literacy, education, and skills so there are many different strategies that could apply.
For ABE learners, have students complete cloze passages. Provide instruction in comprehension strategies, such as using headings and graphics to predict meaning. Teach and model summarizing verbally, skimming, and scanning skills. Assess learners’ reading comprehension by having them read texts and answer comprehension questions about the text in multiple choice or short answers. Have students summarize readings orally and in writing.
For ELLs, find out what students know, need to know, and want to know. Then build on ideas and concepts from learners’ cultures and experiences whenever possible. Select readings on topics they may be familiar with. Pre-teach vocabulary and preview unfamiliar ideas, actions, vocabulary, and settings as well as titles, pictures, graphics, text structure, and even punctuation. Use videos, images, and physical objects to help learners build background knowledge. Assess learner comprehension through short answers, cloze exercises, and summary writing only after pre-teaching vocabulary, previewing cultural contexts, and discussing the text in pairs, small groups, or as a class.
Below are 10 reading comprehension worksheets and tests that are accurately measured to fit the Adult (ABE) level.
Topic
Antonio's Revenge
Lexile level
1370
Num of questions
8
Types of questions
Cause and effect comprehension, Identifying intent and conclusions, Identifying the main topic and key ideas
Topic
Human Execution: No Such Thing
Lexile level
1210
Num of questions
6
Types of questions
Identifying the main topic and key ideas, Identifying chronological order, Identifying intent and conclusions.
Topic
Xandersol
Lexile level
1080
Num of questions
8
Types of questions
Facts vs. opinions inference, Cause and effect comprehension, Identifying the main topic and key ideas
Topic
Amazon Snakes!
Lexile level
1090
Num of questions
8
Types of questions
Identifying the main topic and key ideas,Identifying the author’s point of view, lesson or moral.
Topic
Lost
Lexile level
900
Num of questions
6
Types of questions
Central message, lesson or moral, Identifying the main topic and key ideas, Summarizing.
Topic
All the Wonders
Lexile level
880
Num of questions
7
Types of questions
Central message, Facts vs. opinions inference, Identifying the main topic and key ideas.
Topic
Adult or Puppy
Lexile level
890
Num of questions
7
Types of questions
Central message, lesson or moral, Identifying the main topic and key ideas, Identifying the author’s point of view, Cause and effect comprehension
Topic
Not a small problem
Lexile level
600
Num of questions
6
Types of questions
Identifying intent and conclusions, Central message, lesson or moral
Topic
Managing Her Illness
Lexile level
530
Num of questions
5
Types of questions
Central message, Identifying the main topic and key ideas, Identifying the author’s point of view, Cause and effect comprehension
Topic
Calm on job
Lexile level
580
Num of questions
7
Types of questions
Answering questions with evidence, Central message, Identifying the author’s point of view, Summarizing
