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22 Effective ESL Reading Activities Your Students Will Love

Do your ESL students sometimes struggle to understand what they’ve read?

Reading comprehension is notoriously difficult for students to learn and for teachers to teach. You have to make it interesting and effective. Otherwise, your students will lose interest and get discouraged from reading in English altogether.

In this post, I’ve compiled 22 awesome and effective ESL reading comprehension activities that your students will surely enjoy. Some are straightforward, while others require a bit of preparation prior to the main activity.

1. Pick the Right Word: Which Is It?

2. picture quiz: brown bear, what do you see, 3. connect the dots: this word goes with that picture, 4. sequence: putting humpty dumpty back together, 5. story retelling: showtime, 6. cause and effect: who solves the mystery, 7. following directions: it’s a treasure hunt, 8. multiple-choice: get it right, 9. short answers: a story within a story, 10. vocabulary focus: show and tell, 11. decoding idioms: guess what the phrase means, 12. question time: prep for the real work, 13. read and repeat: get pronunciation down pat, 14. paragraph summary: tell it another way, 15. quiz writing and giving: stump your classmates, 16. true or false: give me a thumbs-up (or down), 17. puzzle making: cut and paste, 18. taboo: don’t say that, 19. class discussions: talk it out, 20. class debates: fight it out, 21. class presentations: in-class ted talks, 22. class presentations redux: tell me about [a favorite topic], why do esl reading comprehension activities.

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Most ESL reading activities designed to test comprehension look like this:

Sarah went to the (beach/park). There, she met a friend who went to (science class/summer camp) two years ago.

You can usually find exercises like this for free on K12Reader.com and Mr. Nussbaum.com , so you don’t need to spend time making them on your own.

They’re rather cut-and-dry as far as exercises go, but if you’re new to giving out ESL reading comprehension activities or are looking for a safe option, you can always fall back on this one.

If you’re looking for a more creative version of “Pick the Right Word,” you can also craft an ESL reading comprehension activity that doesn’t necessarily involve words and sentences (as strange as that might sound).

Instead of giving students two options to choose from or having them fill in the blanks, you can give them a bunch of pictures and have them do some matching.

Using the example above ( Sarah went to the (beach/park) . ..), you can label several pictures as A, B, C and D. Picture A can be a beach, Picture B can be a park and so on. Students can then sort through the pictures, and write the correct letter corresponding to the correct image in the blank space.

Alternatively, you could also use “Connect the Dots” for the same exercise above. This works especially well with younger ESL learners, who’ll be more appreciative of colorful pictures accompanying their learning activities.

Feel free to throw in an irrelevant picture or two to make the activity a tad more tricky and interesting. It’ll also more accurately gauge whether your students actually understand the answers they’re giving out or are just guessing them.

Nursery rhymes like “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall” are engaging for ESL learners of any age.

For this activity, use pictures to retell the story and help your students remember the main plot points, characters and events of the text.

Preparation

• Create copies of two stories. Make sure each is single-spaced and printed on a separate piece of paper. Label each story “Story 1” and “Story 2.”
• Make a worksheet of a bunch of pictures (related to the stories you’ve created) labeled with either numbers or letters. Make sure there are spaces or lines immediately below the pictures where your students can write their answers. Depending on your class’s level, you can turn the labeling exercise into the perfect drill for practicing spelling and sentence construction.
• Give your students the picture worksheet, and talk about what’s happening in each picture.
• Ask your students to turn over the picture worksheet, and hand out the two stories to read.
• After the students have finished reading, have them flip the papers with the stories over to the blank back side. Without looking at the story, students should cut out the pictures, and glue them to the back of the right story in chronological order.

If you need some inspiration for fantastic picture reading comprehension worksheets, try ESlFlow.com . There are also some interesting picture worksheets on Cal.org that  focus specifically on health literacy for ESL adults .

You’ll probably find that it’s easier and more fun to find a story online, and download images from Google to make your own picture stories.

Story retelling involves reading a text or story and then acting it out to other students. If you have students who love role play, they’ll enjoy this one and similar activities .

• Choose from any of these short stories for ESL students , print them out and make enough copies for the whole class.
• Divide students into small groups. Make sure the size of each group matches the number of characters in the stories you’re handing out.
• Give each group a different story that they’ll need to act out in front of the class.
• Prepare (or have your students prepare) a list of short answers/multiple choice/true or false questions to engage the audience and evaluate how well the actors captured the events of the story.
• Once everything is set, it’s showtime!

Cause and effect questions help students think outside the box and better understand the ripple effect of events.

Text materials that have a mysterious plot or historical background are excellent choices, because they require students to understand the context of the mystery, the clues and the characters to fully appreciate the thrills of crime solving.

For example, you can read this interesting crime scene together with your students in class. Your objective with this activity is to answer the final question: Why isn’t Inspector Coderre satisfied with Ms. Webb’s version of the event? 

• Divide students into groups.
• Create a cause and effect map to capture the first part of Ms. Webb’s testimony, which ends right before the sentence, “The inspector was very sympathetic and told her that it was very natural to not want to damage somebody’s property.” For example, you can write something like “ (effect) Ms. Webb could see the study room → it was well-lit. (cause) ” or “ (cause) Ms. Webb broke a small window → to get into the house. (effect) ” It doesn’t matter how you order the cause and effect—the point is to help students notice details in the story and make an effective analysis.
• Ask the students to identify the part of the testimony that made the detective lose his sympathy. Analyze that testimonial section with another cause and effect chart. Do they notice any inconsistencies?
• Discuss the students’ findings in class or in small groups.

You don’t have to limit ESL reading comprehension activities to short stories. You can also facilitate hands-on activities to encourage your students to read, such as this treasure hunt game.

• Create a map. It can be hand-drawn or printed. Give unique names to the basic geographic features of the classroom/schoolyard, so students can navigate the “rainforest” or “dark caves” without getting lost.
• Put together a clue sheet to help locate the treasure. It should be filled with hints, codes and even secret messages for students to decode. For example, if you hid a diamond playing card on the third shelf of a bookcase in the corner, you can give the following clue: It stands in a corner with lots of pages for you to read. The diamond is on the third floor and right under a fairy tale. 
• Hide different treasures (cards, small balls and beanies) in the classroom or schoolyard.
• Divide your students into groups.
• Give them the map and clue sheet to locate the treasure.
• The first group that finds their treasure wins the game. But they’re always welcome to join other teams to help them find their treasures, too!

Multiple-choice is a classic, wonderful way to ease your students into new material. It’s also excellent for building much-needed confidence before moving on to more challenging ways of checking reading comprehension.

You’ll want to use “scaling” in your multiple choice questions—i.e., making each question slightly more difficult than the one before it. This way, your students will be challenged just enough to keep going.

To get started:

• Ask students to read a short story, article or blog post. 
• Give them a few concise multiple-choice questions afterward.
• Go over the questions and answers as a class.

In this activity, your aim is to get students to dig deeper beneath the surface of what they’re reading. You want them to go beyond answering questions about the events and characters in the story, and talk about related topics as well.

For example, if a short story features lovers who are of the same gender, the students might want to formulate short answers about the concept of homosexuality. (Of course, if this is a taboo topic in the area where you’re teaching, or your students aren’t at the level where they can talk about such topics yet, you may want to pick an easier subject that’s less emotionally charged or controversial.) 

There are a lot of ways to go about this activity. You can:

• Give students time to read the story in class.
• Assign the story as homework.
• Pair students up, and have them develop short answers together.
• Have pairs read their short answers to other pairs.

This exercise is a great way to put some of your students’ newly learned words to good use. Plus, you don’t have to search far for new words—the ones that appear in the assigned reading will do.

All you have to do is:

• Pair students up.
• Have them underline key words in the target text.
• Have them look up any words they don’t know.
• Have students present their vocabulary terms to their classmates.

Decoding phrases, especially idioms, can be tricky for most students. That’s why it’s a good idea to devote an entire activity to this concept alone.

• Scan the assigned or target text for idioms that may be difficult to decode based on context alone.
• Compile these words and phrases, and print them on a worksheet.
• Ask your students to read the collection of phrases, and have them write down or discuss what they think the phrases mean. Be careful not to use too many phrases, or you’ll bore the life out of your students and discourage them from reading the assigned or target text further. 
• Once everyone is done, explain the phrases to the students. If you speak your students’ mother tongue, you can also judiciously use the bilingual method of teaching English . Ask them if they have similar idioms in their language.
• Challenge your students to write sentences using the new idioms, either in class or for homework. This allows you to check for comprehension and tweak accordingly.

Often, ESL reading activities involve answering questions after the text has been read. For this activity, it’ll be the other way around. 

Pre-reading questions are great for reading comprehension because:

• They orient the reader to the genre, topic and purpose of the text.
• They allow the reader to activate their knowledge of related vocabulary, and glean the key words and phrases they should seek to understand in the reading.
• They provide a focus for the reading of the text, so students know what information is important and what isn’t.
• They save a ton of time during reading comprehension tests.

Encourage your students to underline key words and phrases, and make notes and translations where necessary. This will help them avoid the common error of not answering the question as it’s written on the paper. A little time spent going over their notes here can improve the overall accuracy and relevance of their answers.

Reading comprehension work gives you an excellent opportunity to get in some pronunciation activities for your ESL students . These will enhance their speaking and listening skills all at once.

For example, when working on a text in class, you can:

• Read a sentence in the target text.
• Have the students repeat the sentence after you, paying close attention to their pronunciation.
• If you notice anything off about their pronunciation, give them gentle feedback .
• Once you’ve worked through the entire piece, have the students read it back to you paragraph by paragraph. Again, take the opportunity to correct where necessary.

Similar to the short answer activity discussed earlier, paragraph summary activities can challenge your students and help them develop their unique English voices.

This activity could be done post-reading, but it’s also an excellent way to ensure comprehension as you work through the text with your students.

• Put students in groups.
• Give them the text as you usually would.
• Encourage your students to take notes, annotate and underline as they go. Ask them to talk about any personal connections that they have to the topic(s), or to put themselves in the shoes of someone featured in the text. Students will benefit from relating what they’ve learned to their own lives.
• At the end of a paragraph (or suitable portion of the text), have the students summarize what they’ve read in their own words. They should be instructed to write it out in no more than four or five sentences. Encourage them to use different words and sentence constructions.
• Have them present their summaries to the class. The presentations can last from 30 seconds to a minute each.
• Answer any questions that arise.

A fun post-reading activity is to have a quiz based on the reading comprehension text.

Students generally get lots of opportunities to answer questions in class, but not as many to ask them. Try checking their comprehension by having them ask their classmates questions about the passage they’ve read.

I’ll go into the specific quiz formats later, but the activity will generally go like this:

• Have them create a quiz for the other groups.
• Have the groups grade the quizzes.
• Discuss the quiz questions and answers as a class.

The quizzes don’t have to be in the usual pen-and-paper format. They can also come in the form of an:

• Oral quiz.  This gives the students an opportunity to use their new vocabulary in speech.
• Game show quiz. Set up a game resembling “Jeopardy!,” or choose from any other famous TV game show to model your quiz on.

True or false is yet another standard classroom activity that can be made fun for your ESL classroom.

• Take your featured text, and create a good number of “yes or no” questions about it. Each question should be relatively simple, covering the main topic, events, themes, characters and anything else described in the text.
• Read the questions out loud while students follow along on a worksheet. Have the students respond to the statements by giving a thumbs-up for a true statement or a thumbs-down for a false statement. This allows you to easily spot the students who are struggling to understand the piece and support them accordingly.

For longer and more complex pieces, you can review the true or false statements at the end of each paragraph or page, instead of the end like you would with simpler pieces.

This could be done as a pre- or post-reading activity and works best in groups.

• Photocopy the passage, and cut it into pieces. Chunks of one or two paragraphs are best.
• Get your students to put the reading together. 

You could also do a cloze reading exercise like so:

• From the reading, choose topic sentences that you want your students to work on.
• Using your word processor software (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs ), type or copy-and-paste the topic sentences into a blank page.
• From the sentences, cut the words you want your students to work on, and paste them at the bottom of the page. Replace the cut words in the sentences with blanks.
• Let your students fill out the blanks using the words pasted at the bottom of the page.

Luckily, here are some ready-to-use cloze activities on different topics you can swipe from. 

Taboo is arguably the best game for practicing vocabulary and livening up your lesson. If you haven’t heard of it before, it essentially involves a student explaining what the key word they’re thinking of means without using the key word itself or synonyms of any kind.

Here’s another variation:

• Put students in groups of four to five members.
• One student goes first. They draw their key word on the board. If the word is “financial,” the student won’t be able to say “bank,” “money” or “financial.” They can only make gestures or add details to their drawing.
• The student who guesses which word fits the drawing gets a point.

Class discussions can take place before or after your ESL reading activities.

If you’re doing it beforehand, your goal should be to engage the students and activate their current vocabulary, getting them to talk in broad terms about the topic they’ll be reading.

For example, if the text will be about tourism, kickstart a discussion with questions like:

• What are the benefits of a strong tourism industry?
• What are the best tourist destinations in their home country, and why?
• What are major problems for tourism for their home country?

You can put these questions on a worksheet with ample space for brainstorming and forming opinions independently.

Alternatively, you could divide students into pairs or small groups to discuss the topic before reading the text. Since you’re already familiar with the text they’ll be looking at, you can skillfully and subtly steer the conversation into issues and areas related to the gist of the text to come.

If you’re doing post-reading discussions, you can use questions from ESL textbooks , come up with your own questions or—if your students are at a high enough level—have them come up with the questions themselves.

• Have them write two to three discussion questions.
• Use the questions as a basis for class discussion.

For some fantastic ESL-oriented discussion questions on a variety of topics, click right here .

If the passage is about something topical, you could use it to organize a debate.

There are many ways to structure a class debate, but the one I usually use is pretty simple:

• One-minute argument
• One-minute rebuttal
• The facilitator (usually you or a capable student) gives feedback.

Suitable for intermediate to advanced students, a debate offers a platform to share opinions about a given topic. Often, with a little imagination, a reading comprehension topic can segue into a debate topic relevant to the students’ own lives.

You know how watching a TED Talk often leaves you with a feeling that you’ve learned something new or even life-changing afterward? Recreate that format in class to further boost reading comprehension.

For example, if the class just read an article about the qualities of a good brand, the students could deliver two-minute presentations about their favorite brand and what makes it special.

To make the most of these in-class TED Talks:

• Show them a relevant TED Talk in class, so they can get the hang of the format.
• Give students time to create their own TED Talks. You could also assign it as a homework assignment instead.
• Decide whether the TED Talk should be done individually or in groups. Both work well enough, in my experience.

Then again, your students might feel intimidated at the thought of having to recreate presentations that are given by big-name personalities and watched by millions of people around the world.

In that case, it’s okay to take a more down-to-earth approach to presentations. Give your students a bit more leeway with the format. Better yet, let them have the freedom to talk about any topic they choose.

This way, they’ll make more of an effort to communicate their passion for something in English. They’ll also have a solid incentive to brush up on the necessary vocabulary and express themselves in colorful ways. Watch them come alive as they talk about the things that matter the most to them.

• Reading doesn’t only teach ESL students grammar, word usage and sentence structure. It also enables them to acquire new information about the culture surrounding their target language.
• Reading helps students see how English is communicated through writing. As you know, good writing and being a good reader go hand in hand.
• Reading comprehension activities help students test their understanding of words in a written context. At the same time, they can get the most out of their reading assignments.

While you’ve undoubtedly used conventional tests to quiz your students, there are ways to make reading comprehension activities effective without relying on the same old methods.

For example, you can:

• Have your students listen to ESL podcasts . Some of them have transcripts, so students could read those first, then listen to the episode afterward and combine listening and reading comprehension.
• Use videos with subtitles in your classroom for a fun twist on reading comprehension. The key is to use videos that have subtitles, like YouTube and FluentU , the latter of which has authentic videos with accurate transcripts. Have students read the transcript first, then play the video in class.

Sure, there’s a time for your students to read for pleasure outside the classroom. However, in-class reading comprehension activities maximize the benefits of reading by making it more relevant and personal to them.

Also, as their teacher, you’ll have opportunities to clarify misunderstandings and ambiguities, as well as enhance students’ vocabulary, word usage and interpretation skills.

With a few dashes of entertainment and creativity here and there, your ESL students will come to love reading in English beyond its educational benefits. 

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23 Tips to Improve Reading Comprehension for Adults

Reading comprehension consists of understanding textual and subtextual meaning. By active reading, pacing yourself, discussing the text, and taking practice quizzes, adults can improve their reading comprehension.

When reading a text, your brain must process the literal words and their relationship.

While this may seem like the barest minimum, it isn’t easy for some adults. Poor reading comprehension is a severe problem with ripple effects in an adult’s life. 

When adults cannot read, they cannot teach their children to read. And this affects their children’s performance in class. 

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), children whose parents with low literacy skills are 72% more likely to be poor readers.  

Poor reading comprehension can also lead to low income and less full-time employment. Only 35% of low literacy adults are employed full-time .  

Additionally, adults with below-basic literacy skills earn $28,000 less than adults with proficient skills . 

In this article, you’ll learn 23 tips to improve your reading comprehension as an adult. 

But first, let’s bust a myth:

Can you improve your reading comprehension as an adult?

It is possible to improve reading comprehension as an adult if you follow the proper steps. 

Some adults develop poor reading comprehension from a young age. This may be due to being trained by illiterate parents or lacking access to qualitative education. 

Additionally, medical conditions associated with age, like dyslexia or difficulty with vision, hearing, or speech, can cause poor comprehension in adults. 

On the other hand, adults can also have poor reading comprehension for nonmedical reasons. This is common in adults with the habit of cramming or lacking interest in creative reading. 

Despite these, adults can improve their reading comprehension with the proper training. 

Moreover, some adults perform as excellently as children when mastering effective reading because adults have more general knowledge to apply to a particular situation in a book. 

Also, adults who want to advance their careers with effective reading habits often concentrate more.  

Thus, adults can improve their reading comprehension despite age decline with regular practice and effective reading comprehension tips.  

23 tips for adults to improve comprehension

Part 1: things to do before you start reading, tip 1: set a goal.

If you seriously want to improve your reading comprehension, you must treat reading as an exercise. Thus, it would be best to design a strategy to keep account of your progress. 

A great way to achieve that is by deciding what to read and how. Possibly, you can even set a specific location for reading. 

You want to read where there is less distraction so you can make the most of your time. 

That doesn’t mean that you can’t read at other times or places. However, it is easy to stay consistent and form a reading habit when setting a specific reading time and locale. 

Tip 2: Decide which medium of reading works for you

You will find print and digital versions of any material you wish to practice effective reading. It is crucial to determine the reading medium that best suits your needs.

Let’s say you prefer to read printed documents, but you can only find the digital version of the document. You can download and print it out so you can read comfortably. 

But if the digital version is not available for print and you have to read on screen, prioritize reading breaks to reduce headaches or switch between screen types (mobile or desktop). 

Tip 3: Know your purpose

Students read because their professor said that. But as an adult, there’s something else here. Can you list what you want to achieve during the reading exercise? 

For example, reading for a multichoice exam requires much more thorough attention to detail and definition of terms and concepts than preparation to talk about or write an essay. 

Think of the purpose of your study and the knowledge needed after reading. Then, keep that goal in mind when reading.

Part 2: Things to do when you read

Now that you know your goal, purpose, and best reading medium, it’s time to start reading deliberately to improve comprehension in those areas. 

Tip 4: Understand and reevaluate how you’re currently reading

If you want to improve reading comprehension, you must first understand how you read. 

Start with identifying excerpts of texts with which you feel unable to comprehend in:

• news articles, etc. 

After that, read them the way you usually would.

Watch if your focus and comprehension begin to flag. If your comprehension or concentration lags over time, start gaining strength.

Tip 5: Preview the text

First, take the text by highlighting headings, diagrams, tables, pictures highlighting bold words, a summary, or a key question. 

Next, read the introduction and conclusion and gather the main concepts. 

Finally, preview – predict the topic for each part.

Tip 6: Read regularly

Adults should read every day to improve their reading comprehension. 

Regular reading will keep your mind active and help you retain what you are reading. By reading at least 15 minutes a day , you will accelerate your reading gains. 

Tip 7: Come up with questions about the text you are reading

Asking a question about what you are reading can increase reading comprehension. This allows you to understand the entire text in its entirety and explore themes, motifs, and other components that you would otherwise skim through. 

Let’s say you’re reading a novel; you should be able to answer the following questions: 

• What is your reason for reading this novel? 
• How does a relationship exist between the two characters? 
• Can you tell the story of the characters that live in the book? 
• Are there themes that appear regularly in books? 
• What is the meaning of the themes?

Answering these questions helps develop a deeper understanding of the novel and comprehend the sentences faster. 

Tip 8: Pace yourself

Pacing yourself can be a helpful method in helping you develop reading comprehension skills. These things are true, especially when reading a book that you find very difficult. 

Create a daily plan to accomplish it. For example, if you read three chapters a night, you might complete the book in 2 or 3 days. It helps you achieve your objectives as it gives you time for processing what the reading describes.

Tip 9: Use context clues

Using context clues helps to understand what the text says. Context clues are usually found within phrases around an unknown word. 

For a good context clue, you can identify a particular idea of a sentence and identify the main ideas. 

You could also look at nearby words – antonymous or synonyms.

Tip 10: Look for the main idea

The idea of an article helps determine how important the article is. Pause each paragraph and try to understand what’s important to you. 

Secondly, try putting the idea in a simple word to understand it more clearly.

Tip 11: Break up the reading into smaller sections

If you read a more complex text, divide it into smaller segments for easy access. 

Ideally, you could read two paragraphs at once but take pauses before you read what you just saw. 

Breaking it up can ease the stress you have on the page and help you understand.

Tip 12: Practice active reading

Adults should regularly practice active reading , which means asking questions or coming up with questions after reading something.

Active reading requires you to ask questions, predict, summarize, and state the main idea as you read.

In addition, an active reading can help increase your memory for what was read and make connections between ideas that may have been missed or ignored. 

Tip 13: Self-monitor

It’ll only take one person to ensure that you stay engaged when reading. For example, suppose your mind keeps reminding you of the following food and the next episode of your Netflix series. In that case, you’re probably not focusing enough. 

If your mind wanders, pause to think about what you need now. Need some break? Does the background noise cause any distraction? How about changes to the environment? 

Perhaps you need to fulfill an immediate need and continue later. 

Practicing self-monitoring when you read helps you keep a clear headspace and stay focused. 

Tip 14: Annotate

Do you use highlighters? It would help if you took notes when reading. But using a highlighter effectively is more than just “highlighting.”

You need to create a key to indicate a key concept or point in a text. This can be:

• a list of important information
• unfamiliar words / unrecognized information
• Important words and phrases.

Tag each of these critical points with a specific highlighting color. 

This helps you process what you are reading. It also makes you think about the text’s main ideas, which improves your comprehension .

Tip 15: Take practice quizzes

Practice quizzes help you learn from your mistakes and improve on future questions. As a result, you will retain the information better and improve reading comprehension.

Tip 16: Skim or read upcoming sections of the text

Skimming is a glance through the material to get an idea of what it’s all about. This is particularly helpful when you find a text complex and want to quickly understand what it’s all about. 

That way, you can re-read with the basic understanding of the text at the back of your mind. Thus, comprehension is easier. 

Tip 17: Stop when you get confused and try to summarize what you just read

During your study, keep your focus on your work when it’s difficult for you to focus. Let’s not wait. Now summarize what you understand before a moment of confusion.

Ask yourself, what are some key points? Summarize them. 

Now, continue reading with a summary in mind and stop repeating it as the article continues.

Tip 18: Discuss the text with a friend (even an imaginary friend)

Sometimes talking about what you have learned so far about text might be helpful. Tell someone that hasn’t read the text you’ve written or spoken about. 

If someone told you about it, they would probably understand more. Even if nobody was present in the room, teaching or talking about something to yourself helps you understand it better. 

Software engineers call such techniques “rubber duck debugging .”It’s like explaining a complex sentence to a rubber duck. 

Tip 19: If you’re struggling, try reading aloud

Sometimes our brains may become blocked, thus preventing us from reading for any other reason. Reading these problematic passages aloud can sometimes help circumvent this block and assist in forming an image of what the text has been trying to convey.

Part 3: Things to do after reading

Reading text shouldn’t stop at chapter end or when your time ticks off. Having a clear after-read strategy can improve retention and comprehension. 

Take a look at these strategies:

Tip 20: Check in with yourself

If you just finished reading a text, you should be sure that you understood what you had read. 

This metacognitive skill is one of the toughest to train, as you may be unsure that you retain what you read. 

Try relating the subject to a real-life example by referencing information and sharing your thoughts with others. You can also set up a mock quiz and score yourself. 

Tip 21: Write a summary of what you read

If you can confidently write a summary of what you’ve read, that means you seriously understood it. Summarizing involves deciding the importance of the text and then writing your own words. 

After taking a mock quiz, applying this technique will have a more significant effect. It just feels different when you pick up the pen to pour out your understanding of a concept. 

Tip 22: Integrate previous knowledge

Consider how the readings relate to different concepts. Next, describe a personal experience and secondhand information about this subject. Finally, list what you need to know on your own about your text.

Tip 23: Investigate further

If information remains ambiguous, find other resources on that subject, including videos or a reliable online study guide. 

That way, you will discover new information that will aid your comprehension. 

Read regularly, read various materials, underline and annotate as you read, practice active reading, and take practice quizzes. 

By following all these steps, adults can become better readers, making learning new information more manageable. 

Check out our productivity course if you want to learn super-fast. It helps you practice these tips plus advanced reading comprehension strategies.

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ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

in Activities for Adults · Activities for Kids

ESL Reading Games, Activities, Lesson Plans | Reading Comprehension

Are you looking for some of the best ESL reading games and activities, along with lesson plans, worksheets and exercises? Then you’re certainly in the right place as we have the best ESL reading comprehension activities for you to consider including in your reading lesson plans.

Reading game ESL

Let’s find out the best ESL reading activity or reading comprehension game that you might want to try out with your students.

ESL Reading Comprehension Games and Activities to Try Out

Are you ready to get into the reading activities? Let’s get to it. Check out these reading games for adults, as well as kids right here!

#1: Hot Potato ESL Reading Game

If you’re teaching students how to read then you may want to try out this hot potato game. It’s a fun way to get them practicing this important skill.

The way it works is that students have to pass an object around the class and when the timer goes off or the music stops, they have to do something. In this case, it may be showing students a flashcard with a word and they have to say it. Or, read the next sentence in an article.

Find out more here: Hot Potato .

#2: Dialogue Substitution ESL Reading Activity

There are a ton of dialogues in ESL textbooks as it’s a very common way that new grammar and vocabulary are introduced. However, have you noticed that students often just blow through them and don’t really pay attention to what they’re reading?

A way to combat this is to remove some of the key words. Then, it turns it from simply an easy reading activity to one that focuses heavily on meaning as well. Learn more about this ESL reading activity right here: Dialogue Substitution Reading Activity .

#3: Odd One Out

#4: Do you like to _____?

Try out this simple reading, writing, listening and speaking activity with your students. Yes, it covers all 4 skills and is some ESL teaching gold.

The way it works is that students have to write 5 facts about themselves. It could be something they like or another kind of fact. Then, distribute the papers around the class to the other students and they have to mingle with their classmates finding the matches.

Sounds like something you want to try out? More details here: Do you Like to ____? 4-Skills ESL Activity .

#5: ESL Board Games

In real life, I love to play board games so I also like to incorporate them into my classes as well. It’s really easy to make your own and they also have a good amount of reading comprehension in them as students have to read the question or statement and then respond to it correctly.

Want to check them out? You can see all the details here: Board Games for ESL .

• Amazon Kindle Edition
• Bolen, Jackie (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 75 Pages - 05/31/2020 (Publication Date)

#6: Post-Reading Activities

After getting students to read things, it’s always a good idea to do some post-reading activities to get the most bang for our buck! There are tons of things you can do and it’s good to mix things up to keep it fresh and interesting for our students.

Find out more about this: ESL Post-Reading Activities .

#7: Task-Based Reading Activities

I LOVE task based teaching and learning and try to incorporate at least some of it into each of my classes. There are numerous advantages to them including being a nice change of pace from the regular routine, students have a large degree of freedom and also that they’re very student-centred.

As far as reading goes, there are numerous things you could do for task-based activities:

• Novel studies with a group project
• Reading a newspaper article and making a short presentation to the class
• Ordering events based on a short story

Want to know more? Check this out: Task-Based ESL Activities .

#8: Conversation Starters

Although this is mostly a speaking and listening activity, there is a good dose of reading comprehension as students are given a list of questions from which to read. It’s a nice way to combat the silence when you tell students to talk about a certain topic!

More details here: ESL Conversation Starters .

#9: ESL Clothing Quiz

Try out this fun quiz with your students where they have to read clues.

#10: Rocks Scissor Paper ESL Reading Games

Try out this fun review game with a serious dose of reading in it! The way it works is that you make up a bunch of questions and answers and then cut them all up into pieces of paper.

Each student gets a mix of questions and answers and then circulates around the class trying to find their matches. When they do find a match, the students do rocks scissor paper, the winner takes both and gets a point.

Want to know more? Find out all the details here: Rocks Scissor Paper ESL Game .

#11: Got to Hand it to You

This is a simple review activity that’s heavy on the reading and turns something that’s usually kind of boring (review and error correction) into something new by making it into a relay race.

Want to give it a try? You can learn more about this reading activity ESL right here: Error Correction Relay Race .

#12: Reading Comprehension Games

Here are even more ideas for you to consider:

#13: Agony Aunt Advice Column

One fun reading comprehension activity that you may want to try out is this one for giving and getting advice. Students have to read about a problem and then work together in groups to give that person some advice.

You can see all the details here: Agony Aunt Problem Advice ESL Activity .

#14: Story Timeline ESL Reading Exercise

One of the best activities for after reading a short story (or even a novel) is to do the story timeline. Students have to work together in groups to put the events of the story in the correct order.

Find out more about this useful reading comprehension activity here: Story Timeline Reading Activity .

• 81 Pages - 06/22/2021 (Publication Date)

#15: Current Events Presentation Project

Although this activity focuses mostly on speaking, the basis of it is a current events new article that students have to read and base their presentations on. The results with this activity in my classes have been excellent so definitely consider trying it out in your classes.

Check it out: Current Events Presentation Project .

• 71 Pages - 05/02/2017 (Publication Date)

#16: Running Dictation

One of the ESL activities to try out with your students is running dictation. It hits all the skills in a big way, including reading and it’s also fun and challenging and it can be used to easily focus on something like ESL phrasal verbs . It does take a bit to explain how to set it up and play it, so be sure to check out this detailed explanation:

ESL Running Dictation Game .

#17: ESL Surveys

Surveys are another one of those multi-skill ESL activities that also have a good dose of reading in them. The way it works is that students have to circulate around the class finding someone who can answer yes to a question on their paper (that’s the reading part of it). They also lend themselves to just about any topic.

Check out this versatile ESL activity here: ESL Survey Ideas.

#18: Information Gap Activities

#19: ESL Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Keep in mind that teaching English doesn’t need to be all about entertainment all the time. Sometimes serious work is required in order to learn a language so consider doing some more serious things in your classes too.

In this case, consider doing some focused reading activities that have some reading comprehension worksheets to go along with them. You could consider using some class time for this or assigning something like this for homework. See below for some of the best resources to consider using.

#20 : Scrambled Sentences

A simple English reading game to consider using in your class is this one. It’s a perfect way to review just about anything. The way it works is that you can write a bunch of sentences on a worksheet or on the board and students have to work to put the words in the correct order.

Alternatively, you can do this for a conversation or short story at the sentence level.

ESL reading

#21: Choose your Own Adventure ESL Writing Activity

Group writing activities are hard to come by, but Choose Your Own Adventure is one of the best ones. It’s done in groups of four so at the end of the activity, students can exchange stories and this becomes a serious reading activity too. Plus, it’s one that students generally love because their classmates have come up with the stories, plus they have a choice about which direction to take.

Want to give it a try? See all the details here: ESL Group Writing Activity .

#22: Advanced English Conversation Dialogues

• 66 Pages - 11/06/2020 (Publication Date) - Independently published...

If your students want to improve their reading and vocabulary skills, consider recommending this book filled with phrases and idioms in American English. It’s easy to use, engaging, and interactive. Best of all? Your students will love it.

#23: Reader’s Theater

Assign characters to students and have them act out a scene or the entire story. This helps improve fluency and understanding of the text.

#24: Error Correction Relay Race

#25: Short Stories for ESL Students Intermediate

I love to use interesting short stories in my classes. They’re a nice change of pace from the usual news stories or textbook readings. One of the resources for this can be found right here:

Short Stories for ESL Students .

#26: Graphic Organizers

Use graphic organizers like story maps, Venn diagrams, or timelines to help students visually organize information from the reading.

#27: Teach Phonics

If students are not proficient readers, phonics may help them out! This is particularly true for very young learners in preschool, kindergarten or first grade. Here are some of my top options:

Phonics Activities .

#28: Preposition of Place Memory Game

Check out this simple reading and memory activity for prepositions of place:

#29: Books for English Learners

If you have higher-level students, it can be useful to get them to read simple novels and books in English. Here are some of the top recommendations:

Easy books to read in English .

#30: Digital Storytelling

Have students create digital presentations or videos summarizing the main points of the reading. This integrates technology and creativity into the learning process.

#31: Word Wall

Create a word wall with key vocabulary from the reading. Encourage students to use these words in sentences or discussions.

ESL Reading Exercises and Lesson Plans

There are lots of excellent reading lesson plans that are available to just print off and use in your classes. It’s a huge time-saver and any busy teacher should definitely take advantage of this resource! Here are some of the top picks:

ESL Activity

One Stop English

ESL reading activity ideas

ESL Reading Comprehension Worksheets

The good news for teachers is that there’s really no need to reinvent the wheel! There are a ton of great resources online, including reading comprehension worksheets and exercises for ESL. Here are some of the top picks:

ISL Collective

Did you like these ESL Reading Games?

• 88 Pages - 02/16/2020 (Publication Date)

Yes? Thought so. Then you’re going to love this book over on Amazon: ESL Reading Activities for Teenagers and Adults . The key to better English classes for adults is a wide variety of interesting, engaging and student-centred activities and games and this book will help you do that in style. Seriously, you’ll be able to make it through an entire semester of reading lessons without having to repeat an activity!

Keep a copy of the book on the shelf in your office to use as a handy reference guide when making your lesson plans. Or, download the free Kindle reading app onto your phone, laptop or tablet and take it with you to your favourite coffee shop for some serious lesson planning on the go.

Either way, it’s the book you need if you’re serious about leveling up your English teaching game! Find out more about these ESL reading activities on Amazon:

ESL Reading Games FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about ESLreading. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What is ESL reading?

ESL reading is teaching reading skills to people whose first language is not English. The process involves breaking reading down into distinct steps while the goal is to build reading comprehension skills across a variety of genres.

How do you make ESL reading fun?

It’s possible to make ESL reading more fun by doing some of these things:

• Use a variety of reading material genres.
• Plan a variety of different ESL reading activities and fun games.
• Context is key. Students should be able to connect what they read with their real life.
• Post-reading activities can be very fruitful.

What are the English reading skills?

English reading skills are those acquired through reading, such as comprehension, fluency and the ability to read independently. All of these things allow students to understand the meaning of what they’re reading without having to stop too often to look up words for example.

What are the 7 reading strategies?

The top 7 cognitive reading strategies of effective reading are as follows: activating, inferring, questioning, monitoring/clarifying, searching/selecting, summarizing, visualizing/organizing.

What are the 5 ESL reading skills?

The five ESL reading skills to be aware of are:

• phonics (awareness of letter sounds)
• phonemic awareness (awareness of syllables, words, etc.)
• fluency (reading speed)
• reading comprehension understanding)

How do you plan an ESL reading lesson?

Have your say about these ESL Reading Activities and Games

What’s your top pick for an ESL reading game or exercise? Is it one of the options from this or do you have your eye on another one? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other busy English teachers, like yourself find this useful resource.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases . She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at: YouTube Facebook TikTok Pinterest Instagram

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English Reading Exercises

Welcome to our reading exercises page! Here, you will find a variety of reading comprehension activities to help improve your English reading skills.

Our exercises include multiple choice questions, gap fill tasks, and practices for scanning and skimming texts. These activities are designed to be easy to understand and engaging, making your learning experience both enjoyable and effective.

If you are looking at reading practice for exams, head over to our Exam Preparation section where you will find plenty of exercises for Cambridge exams such as B2 First and C2 Proficiency as well as TOEFL and IELTS .

Which Level?

Select a level to jump to its section:

Elementary Reading

Some elementary reading exercises.

• Pre-Intermediate

Pre-Intermediate Reading

Some pre-intermediate reading exercises.

• Intermediate

Intermediate Reading

Some intermediate reading exercises, advanced reading, some advanced reading exercises.

• iOS/Android App
• First Words
• Grammar Guide
• Grammar Exercises

Reading Exercises

Listening exercises.

• Business English

Vocabulary Exercises

• Picture Quizzes
• NEW B1 Preliminary
• C1 Advanced
• C2 Proficiency
• Phrasal Verbs
• Phrasal Verbs Definitions

Pronunciation

• Pronunciation Exercises

Español / Castellano

• Aprender Español
• Learn Spanish

The following is a list of FREE websites that can help you supplement or even plan your lessons – whether you’re working with an ABE (Adult Basic Education) student or an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) student.

•   www.newsela.com – Non-fiction and current event articles. You can choose the grade level for reading the articles.
• www.kitzkikz.com/flashcards – Easily create printable flash cards by typing in or cutting/pasting words.
• www.puzzlemaker.com – Create your own word games and crossword puzzles.
• www.typing.com – Online typing tutor which can save student progress.
• https://ocls.info/learning-research/articles-and-databases-a-z/www.ocls.info/virtual/onlinedatabases/db – a link to the various resources offered by the Orange County Library System.
• www.rewordify.com – create easy to read passages with embedded definitions, print vocabulary lists
• www.kahoot.com – create fast-paced games on smartphones or tablets
• www.khanacademy.org – free math, science, grammar
• www.readtheory.org – free reading practice with informational texts
• www.unscramblerer.com – word game dictionary

Adult Basic Education

• abspd.appstate.edu/vocabulary-lessons – High-level lesson plans and resources for vocabulary instruction.
• www.allaboutlearningpress.com/how-to-teach-syllable-types – Tips and tricks for teaching syllables.
• www.dys-add.com – Sharing the latest research on dyslexia and tips for helping someone who has been diagnosed with dyslexia.
• www.edhelper.com – Covers topics from basic literacy to all levels of mathematics.
• www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar – Useful exercises for grammar and punctuation
• www.freewritingprompts.net – Creative, non-fiction, and persuasive writing prompts
• www.gcflearnfree.org -Videos focusing on computer and work skills, as well as activities to work on reading, vocabulary, and more.
• www.handwritingworksheets.com – Create custom handwriting worksheets for low-level students.
• www.khanacademy.org -Videos focusing on many topics from Math to Humanities to Computer Programming.
• www.merriam-webster.com/game/index.htm – Quizzes and games for vocabulary and reading skills. Breaks down words into syllables to teach reading skills.
• www.studyguidezone.com/gedtest.htm – Online test prep and GED activities and resources.
• www.varsitytutors.com/practice-tests – High-level practice tests and study materials for GED students.
• www.floridaliteracy.org/mathvideos.html – large collection of Khan Academy math videos
• Vocabulary hints, words ending in OR and EE – a volunteer-created information sheet about words that end in OR and EE.

Printable Worksheets/Templates

• Hand Writing Worksheets – Create custom handwriting worksheets for low-level students
• ISL Collective – Printable ESOL worksheets for multiple levels
• Boggles World ESL (Lanternfish) – Printable ESOL worksheets, quizzes, and activities
• Using English – Advanced topics and worksheets for high-level ESOL students
• ESL Charts – 12 Tense Timeline (Easy to Understand)
• Kitz Kikz Flashcard Maker – Easily create printable flash cards by typing in or cutting/pasting words
• DLTK’s Growing Together – Print out sets of 6 or 12 custom, themed memory cards. Themes include body parts, time, nutrition and household items
• Math-Aids – Provides free math worksheets for teachers, parents, students, and homeschoolers
• 15 Worksheets – Simple, free, printable worksheets to use with your student

Conversational – Advanced

• Daily ESL – Conversation starters and English speaking practice ideas
• Adult Education Tutor Support – Conversation starters and English language skill topics
• Online Slang – List of acronyms common to texting and online chatting
• Ethnic Groups of the United States – Sharing the latest research on dyslexia and tips for someone who has been diagnosed with dyslexia

English Language Literacy

• Homonyms picture chart   – a chart of homonyms with their definitions and pictures representing each word
• Phrasal verbs picture chart – a chart of informal verbs in English with pictures and definitions
• www.lyricstraining.com/ – listen to songs in English and fill in the blanks, practice typing and listening skills
• www.fluentland.com/ – Provides English lessons, forums, games, customize to different levels
• en.islcollective.com/worksheets – Printable ESOL worksheets for multiple levels.
• www.americaslibrary.gov -American history site by the Library of Congress. Includes games, activities and a reading list.
• www.businessenglishsite.com/business-english-other-tests.html – Business English vocabulary and lessons for high-level ESOL students.
• www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/venturesarcade/ – Online lessons and worksheets to compliment Cambridge University Press’s Ventures curricula.
• www.dailyesl.com – Conversation starters and English speaking practice ideas.
• www.eastsideliteracy.org/tutorsupport/ESL/ESLTalkTimeTopics.htm – Conversation starters and English language skill topics.
• www.esl.about.com – Sign up for the weekly newsletter for ESOL tips and tricks.
• www.eslbrains.com / – Focuses on business English, but includes other subjects as well. Features video lessons and worksheets for expanded learning and comprehension.
• www.eslcafe.com – Lesson plans, pronunciation guides, worksheets, and ESOL quizzes.
• www.eslflow.com/Picturelessonsandteachingideas.html – Picture-based lesson plans and worksheets.
• www.eslgold.com – Audio and animations focusing on pronunciation, vocabulary, and writing.
• www.englishwithjennifer.com – Lesson plan tips and tricks, along with videos for English pronunciation, idioms, and conversation skills.
• www.englishcentral.com – Watch and learn English pronunciation through listening and speaking activities. Includes quizzes.
• www.engvid.com -Video recordings of ESOL lessons focusing on pronunciation, vocabulary, and conversation skills.
• www.manythings.org – Interactive site with word games, worksheets, and ESOL vocabulary lessons.
• www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com/best-esl-lesson-plans.html – ESOL lesson plans, worksheets, and information on TESOL certification.
• www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/index.php – Searchable multi-lesson activities and lessons with video and audio recordings.
• www.usalearns.org – Interactive site with quizzes, lessons, and a weekly newsletter.
• www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/level-advanced.html – Advanced topics and worksheets for high-level ESOL students
• https://simplyenglishnews.wordpress.com/ – Use the news to teach English
• https://engoo.com/app/daily-news –  Use the news to teach English
• https://custom-writing.org/blog/esl-resources-for-students – Compilation of ESL resources
• https://allesl.com – Assorted free ESL resources (games, conversation topics, worksheets, etc.)
• https://pronuncian.com/minimal-pairs  – English Pronunciation Minimal Pairs Practice
• Friends World | ESL Resource – 23 short stories translated into Spanish, Hindi, Chinese and Vietnamese
• Crossword Solver – ESL games, activities and other resources

Computer Skills and Work Skills

• GCF Learn Free – Videos focusing on computer and work skills, as well as activities to work on reading, vocabulary, and more
• Business English Site – Business English vocabulary and lessons for high-level ESOL students
• Learn the Net – Navigating the internet
• Excel Easy –  Working with Excel
• https://resume.io/how-to-write-a-resume/languages-on-your-resume – Tips for adding multilingual proficiencies to your resume

Test Prep – Citizenship, GED

• Study Guide Zone – Online test prep and GED activities and resources
• Varsity Tutors – High-level practice tests and study materials for GED students
• Citizenship – Videos and resources for the citizenship test
• Citizenship study guide – Flashcards, notes and practice quizzes in English AND Spanish

Learning Differences

• Bright Solutions for Dyslexia – Sharing the latest research on dyslexia and tips for someone who has been diagnosed with dyslexia

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12 Fun ESL Reading Comprehension Activities for All Levels!

Krzl light nuñes.

• May 30, 2023

Reading is essential to boost your English learners’ skills, so ESL reading comprehension activities are vital to your students’ success. Some students may not be fond of reading or are daunted by the thought of running into unfamiliar words or phrases, but fret not! We’ve got ESL reading comprehension activities that make reading fun and engaging for different types of English students. So without further ado, let’s dive in to some ESL reading comprehension exercises and activities!

Are you a teacher of young learners? Learn about the power of storytelling for young learners in the ESL classroom.

Table of Contents

How do you make your reading comprehension fun in ESL classes?

When it comes to practicing reading comprehension in English classes, it’s not uncommon for some students to think that this activity only involves reading long texts, learning new words, and answering a couple of questions. While they do help your students practice skimming, scanning, inferring information, and many other skills, ESL reading comprehension activities don’t have to be boring at all! Here are some tips on how you can turn your reading comprehension activity from mundane to fun and engaging.

Make your reading comprehension time more engaging by turning it into games or activities that will have learners compete (in a friendly way). Instead of sticking to the usual handouts and ESL reading comprehension worksheets, you can come up with races, challenges, and many other interactive activities that will make your class more memorable and worthwhile.

Even adult learners of Business English love a good game. Learn more with 10 Fun & Easy Games for Teaching Business English to Adults.

Choose activities that will build important skills.

There’s more to reading comprehension than just answering questions – it also trains students to develop reading skills, such as summarizing, sequencing, drawing conclusions, and solving problems. As you develop your reading comprehension activities, you can vary them based on the skills you’d like your students to work on. For instance, you can choose a game wherein students have to order events or create the correct sequence of a story they’ve just read. Over time, students learn to move into higher-order thinking skills related to critical thinking .

In addition, a lot of these reading skills also serve as strategies when your learners are preparing for English proficiency tests such as the PTE , IELTS , and TOEFL . The reading sections of these exams typically involve long texts and various types of questions, such as finding the main idea and identifying key information, so you’ll definitely want to prepare your students for these tasks!

Use realia and visual aids.

Bring your reading comprehension activities to life with realia and visual aids such as pictures, props, diagrams, timelines, and other tools – they not only make your class activities more colorful and engaging but also help your learners comprehend what they’ve read more easily, especially if they are visual learners. Also, instead of you writing or illustrating on the board (or virtual whiteboard) all the time, you can have students do these tasks for a more interactive experience.

What activities help with reading comprehension?

As long as your students are able to learn and understand your reading activity and there is a lot of interaction involved in the class, you can create your own reading comprehension tasks. Here are some activity ideas you can get inspiration from and tweak depending on the kind of learners you have:

• Pre-reading vocabulary games (search for the synonym, word hunt, word pairs)
• True/false type of activities (guessing games, races)
• Sequencing activities (drawing, picture story, puzzles)
• Retelling activities (role-plays, summarizing a story)
• Making predictions (guessing games, charts)

Do you have students who struggle with new vocabulary? Learn some top methods for introducing new ESL vocabulary words.

ESL reading comprehension activities for beginners

Here are some ESL reading comprehension activities and exercises your beginner learners will enjoy.

True or False Race

What you’ll need: four cards, two with “true” written on them and the other two with “false”

How to do it: In this game, the students compete to win as many points as possible. After the class reads the text, divide the class into two groups. Give each group a pair of “true” and “false” cards. Then, tell them that you will read out a statement based on the text they’ve read and they have to raise the correct card. The first person who raises the correct card wins a point.

Online variation: You can create your own true or false games on free, game-based learning platforms like Kahoot!

Fun Story Elements

What you’ll need: a whiteboard, small cards to draw on

How to do it: On the cards, draw different symbols or shapes (e.g., a heart, a circle, a smiley, etc.). Then, assign a story element to each one (e.g., heart=setting; circle=main characters). After reading the story, have each student pick a card from the pile. Then, they have to identify the story element based on the card they’ve gotten.

Online variation: You can use the virtual whiteboard on Zoom or Skype or make use of Google Jamboard . You can also create online cards using digital flashcard maker platforms .

Draw the Character

What you’ll need: a sheet of paper, pencils and/or coloring materials

How to do it: This activity can usually be done after reading a story, but you can also use it for other types of texts such as news articles and biographies. After having the class read the text, tell the students that they’ll have to draw their version of the character in the story. Give them some minutes to create their drawings, which they’ll have to present to the class afterward.

Vocabulary Bingo

What you’ll need: a whiteboard, Bingo cards (4 x 4)

How to do it: For this pre-reading vocabulary activity, you’ll have to choose 16 words from the text and find a synonym for each. Write the synonyms on the board and have the students write the words in the boxes of their Bingo cards. Next, read out a word from the text. The students then have to look for the synonym of the word you’ve read and cross it out on their Bingo cards. The first student who completes a straight vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line with four boxes should shout “Bingo” to win.

ESL reading comprehension activities for intermediate learners

Here are some ESL reading comprehension exercises and activities that will engage your intermediate learners.

What you’ll need: a whiteboard, paper strips or small cards to write on

How to do it: You can do this activity after reading a story, a news report, or any type of narrative text. On the board, create a timeline – you can write the dates or days in the story to guide the students. Then, on the strips of paper, write down the events described in the text.

After reading the story, have the students pick a strip of paper and place it on the correct date on the timeline. For bigger groups, you can create two copies of the paper strips, and then divide the students into two groups. Afterward, tell the groups that they have to construct the timeline of the story as a group, and the first one to complete it wins!

Online variation: You can create the timeline on a virtual whiteboard and have students take turns filling in the events correctly as you read them aloud.

Text Scavenger Hunt

What you’ll need: a whiteboard

How to do it: Prepare challenges or questions that will have students “hunt” for key information in an article or text. These can be challenges related to vocabulary (e.g., “Look for the synonym of ‘pretty’ in the first paragraph”) or finding key information (e.g., “Where did Joe go on Friday night?”).

After reading the text, tell the students that you will read out the question or challenge and they’ll have to write their answers in their notebook or on a sheet of paper. Then, announce the correct answer, and the students will confirm whether they’ve found the right information. Correct answers will earn a point, and you can keep track of the students’ points by writing them on the board.

Roll & Recall

What you’ll need: a dice

How to do it: Create six comprehension check questions about the text the students are going to read. Assign each question to a number (one to six) After reading, ask a student to roll the dice. Match the question with the number that the dice lands on. The student will then answer the question.

Online variation: For games like this that require dice, you can use virtual dice .

Summary Sentence Puzzles

What you’ll need : small strips of paper

How to do it: For this game, make sure to divide the text into small paragraphs. Then, write the summary of each paragraph on a strip of paper, and cut it out in between the words so that it becomes a sort of puzzle (don’t forget to keep the puzzle groups separated). Then, after reading the text, give the students a puzzle group and have them rearrange the words so that they create a complete sentence. Finally, the students have to match the sentence with the right paragraph it summarizes.

Online variation: You can use a virtual whiteboard and move words around to form sentences as a whole class.

Get more fun ESL games and activities for kids and teens.

ESL reading comprehension activities for advanced learners

Lastly, here are some reading comprehension exercises and activities to engage your advanced learners.

Predictions

How to do it: This activity is best done for reading involving long stories or other types of sequential texts. Divide the text that you’ll read in class into three or four parts (make sure the students can see only one part at a time). Then, read the first part of the text. Afterward, ask the students for their predictions for the second part. Write their predictions on the board. Then, continue reading the next part of the story. Check the predictions of each student. The predictions that are close to what is written in the text win a point.

20 Questions

What you’ll need: This activity doesn’t require any special materials or props, but students need to have a notebook or a sheet of paper to write their questions on.

How to do it: This activity can be applied to any type of text. After reading the text, students take turns asking their classmates questions related to the text. In turn, the other student has to answer the question. The teacher can write the questions on the board until the class has created a total of 20 questions.

Detective for a Day

What you’ll need: printed or digital handouts containing the mystery questions

How to do it: This activity can be done using any text, as its goal is to build your students’ skills in identifying key information and making inferences. Divide the text into three or four sections, and then tell the students that they’ll be solving different mysteries as you they go along the story.

Before the reading activity, prepare “mysteries” that the students have to solve. Create questions that will have students identify key characters, solve problems, or order the events in the text. Once the students have answered all the questions correctly, you can write (or stamp, if possible) “Case Closed” on the paper and give them the green light to go to the next round.

What you’ll need: This won’t require special materials either, but students can use any props they see fit!

How to do it: You can do this activity with a group of students using any type of narrative text. After reading, the students have to create a role-play of their own or a dialogue based on the story they’ve just read. Then, they’ll have to act it out (or read the dialogue) in front of the class.

No matter how challenging reading comprehension activities may seem, there’s always a way to make them more manageable and enjoyable. By trying out the activities above or creating your own reading comprehension activities, your students will see reading comprehension in a different light and will surely look forward to the next assignment!

It’s all fun and games! Earn certification in Games and Activities for the Online Classroom with Bridge’s 10-hour Micro-credentials!

Back in her hometown in the Philippines, Krzl worked as a writer at a TV station before moving to Chile. After she completed her TESOL certification, she worked for language institutes and then decided to become an independent English teacher to business professionals. When she’s not giving classes, she’s either surfing along Chile’s long stretch of coastline, traveling, or practicing photography by the beach.

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Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Worksheets

• Take these as online quizzes here!

Short Story Reading Comprehension Worksheets

• Beginning Level
• Answers for this series are included at the end of each worksheet.
• "My Friend" - Low Beginning. 3 answer choices. 7 questions. 74 words.
• "My House" - Low Beginning. 3 answer choices. 7 questions. 92 words.
• "Time to..." - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 89 words.
• "My Family" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 6 questions. 90 words.
• "Rainy Day" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 78 words.
• "A Call to the Pool" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 116 words.
• "The Singing Bird" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 96 words.
• "Seeing Stars" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 92 words.
• "I Fly" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 4 questions. 113 words.
• "The Drive" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 120 words.
• "Zach's Animals" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 104 words.
• "Griffin's Talents" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 112 words.
• "A Happy Visitor" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 170 words.
• "An Adventure" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 177 words.
• "Running" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 148 words.
• "Paul Cooks" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 112 words.
• "Bella Hides" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 135 words.
• "First Prize" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 155 words.
• "What Number?" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 154 words.
• "The Interview" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 205 words.
• "Julian's Work" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 194 words.
• "Talia's Special Day" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 204 words.
• "One Hundred Dollars" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 273 words.
• "New Shoes for Maddy" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 223 words.
• "The 20" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 256 words.
• "Big City Noise" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 238 words.
• Intermediate Level
• "By the Water" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 225 words.
• "A Cold Day" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 14 questions. 286 words.
• "Vet Emergency!" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 247 words.
• "Late" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 14 questions. 284 words.
• "The Brenners" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 297 words.
• "Bullied" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 197 words.
• "The New School" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 14 questions. 286 words.
• "The Park" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 297 words.
• "Worth Working For" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 280 words.
• "The Rent Man" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 215 words.
• "Time with Grandpa" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 237 words.
• "The Bus Driver" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 15 questions. 294 words.
• "A Day Like No Other" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 305 words.
• "A Mystery" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 247 words.
• "Just One Touch" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 15 questions. 326 words.
• "Wanga" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 340 words.
• "Ana Finds an Apartment" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 408 words.
• "Guermo's Surprise" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 372 words .
• "Canopy of Nature" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 332 words .
• "Blizzard in Birmingham" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 319 words.
• "A Christmas in March" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 385 words.
• "Bail" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 301 words.
• "Clean Water Act" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 632 words.
• "BB" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 511 words .
• Advanced Level
• "The Mini Problem" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 291 words .
• "Flower Power" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 368 words.
• "Seeing Clearly" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 284 words .
• "Accused" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 285 words.
• "City Girl" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 429 words.
• "Fried" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 235 words.
• "Tattoo" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 350 words.
• "The Transfers" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 381 words.
• "Wild" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 493 words.
• "Scorpion" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 333 words
• "Remains of a Marriage" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 345 words.
• "Museum Hours" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 179 words.
• "Seeing Through" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 10 questions. 326 words.
• "Ursula Pugh" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 8 questions. 324 words.
• "Dreams" - High Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 357 words.
• "Tracks" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 11 questions. 531 words.
• "Love Train" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 12 questions. 646 words.
• "The Storm" - High Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 407 words.

Informational Passages Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In these reading comprehension worksheets, students are asked questions about information they have read about a specific topic. each passage reads similar to a newspaper of journal article, and provides interesting information about some aspect of history, nature, mechanics, science, art, and more. questions involve critical thinking with a focus on logic and inference..

• Answer Key - This answer key is available but still under development.
• "The Sun" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
• "Gas" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
• "Music" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 50 words.
• "Birds" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 50 words.
• "The Heart" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 50 words.
• "The Butterfly" - Low Beginning. 5 questions. Under 50 words.
• "Pigs" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
• "The Brain" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
• "The Ocean" - Low Beginning. 7 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Trees" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Alligators" - Low Beginning. 6 questions. Under 100 words.
• "The Blow-Dryer" - Low Beginning. 5 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Green Grass" - Low Beginning. 6 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Taste" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Bees" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Frogs" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Beds" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Humans" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Fish" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Houses" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Soda Pop" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Tea" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Ice Fishing" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Bears" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Flags" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Leonardo Da Vinci" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words..
• "Tennis" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Dogs" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Money" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Abraham Lincoln" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Corn" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Umbrellas" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Ben Franklin" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Cars" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• Answer Key - This is the answer key for to the intermediate level informational passages.
• "Helicopters" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Yellowstone National Park" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Empress of the Blues" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "The Cactus" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Space Exploration Voyagers 1 and 2" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Television" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Hibernation and Estivation" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Marco Polo" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Movie Ratings" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Birdsongs" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Counting" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Easter Island" - High Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Mosquitoes" - High Intermediate. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Fingerprints" - High Intermediate. 11 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Mother's Day" - High Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Europe" - High Intermediate. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
• Answer Key - This is the answer key for to the advanced level informational passages.
• "Chocolate" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 600 words.
• "Houses Around the World" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Cells" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Soccer" - Low Advanced. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Bathtubs" - Low Advanced. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Pollution" - Low Advanced. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
• "Interstate Highways" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 800 words.
• "The U.S. Census" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 800 words.
• "Sleep" - Low Advanced. 11 questions. Under 800 words.
• "The U.S. Postal Service" - Mid Advanced. 11 questions. Under 800 words.
• "Chemical Elements" - Mid Advanced. 11 questions. Under 800 words.
• "Africa" - Mid Advanced. 11 questions. Under 1000 words.

Technical Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In these reading comprehension worksheets, students are asked questions about the meaning, significance, intention, structure, inference, and vocabulary used in each passage. each passage reads like an encyclopedic or technical journal article. answers for worksheets in this section can be found at the end of each individual worksheet..

• "Water" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 300 words.
• "Paper" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 300 words.
• "The Flu" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "Nuts" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "The Sun" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "The White House" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "Soap" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "Clocks" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "The Robin" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "Hybrid Vehicles" - Intermediate level. 4 questions with answers included. Under 500 words.
• "Photography" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 500 words.
• "Biomimetics" - Intermediate level. 4 questions with answers included. Under 700 words.
• "The Great Debates" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
• "Salt" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 700 words.
• "Colony Collapse" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 600 words.
• "Columbian Exchange" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 700 words.
• "Ethanol" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 600 words.
• "Generations" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 600 words.
• "The Hubble Telescope" - Advanced level. 7 questions with answers included. Under 1000 words.
• "Intellegence Augmentation" - Advanced level. 5 questions with answers included. Under 1000 words.

Role Play Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In these reading comprehension worksheets, students can increase their understanding of colloquial and idiomatic expressions and get a feel for conversational english. they also allow several students to participate at the same time - which makes them really fun great for use in school or at home..

• Answer Key - This is the answer key to the role play worksheets.
• "What Time Is It?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "How Are You?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Tie Your Shoes!" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Where Are My Glasses?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "A Cookie" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "Where Are My Keys?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
• "City Life, Country Life" - Beginning Level. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Flu Shot" - Intermediate Level. 5 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Vinegar" - Intermediate Level. 4 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Wait for Me!" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Glasses" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Hungry" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Want to Know a Secret?" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Milk and Aesthetics" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 500 words.

Dual Version Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In each of these reading comprehension worksheets, the same story is told, but with two versions: one that is basic, and one that is more advanced. this allows students to make direct comparisons between the advanced version to the more basic one, and makes for a powerful learning experience..

• Answer Key - Coming Soon!
• "An Overcast Day" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 200 words.
• "Who Knows My Name?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 200 words.
• "A Call to the Pool" - Beginning Level. 6 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Oh No!" - Beginning Level. 8 questions. Under 300 words.
• "An Adventure" - Beginning Level. 6 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Happy Birthday" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 400 words.
• "My Family" - Beginning Level. 8 questions. Under 300 words.
• "My Family" - Beginning Level. 5 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Driving Directions" - Beginning Level. 6 questions. Under 400 words.
• "A Happy Visitor" - Beginning Level. 7 questions. Under 300 words.
• "The Singing Bird" - Intermediate Level. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
• "Violet Makes a Cake" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
• "A Visit to the Doctor" - Intermediate Level. 7 questions. Under 400 words.
• "Making Dinner" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
• "The Market" - Intermediate Level. 10 questions. Under 500 words.
• "Maria Gets Her License" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 500 words.
• "A Paper for School" - Advanced Level. 7 questions. Under 300 words.
• "A Birthday Surprise" - Advanced Level. 7 questions. Under 600 words.
• "Getting a New Job" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 600 words.
• "The Dinner Party" - Advanced Level. 9 questions. Under 600 words.

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Free ESL Worksheets for Adults (48 Great Resources)

By Caitriona Maria

December 23, 2020

English as a second language (ESL) Worksheets can help adults learn a lot of useful information that will help them in their personal and professional lives. 

However, ESL worksheets for young learners rarely cater to capable adults, which is why we have compiled a list of our exclusive ESL worksheets for adults.

If you’ve missed it, we’ve already listed the best ESL worksheets for beginners and the best ESL worksheets for advanced learners in our other posts. Without further ado, let’s dive into some recommendations for adult learners.

1. ISL Collective

ISL Collective has a ton of free resources, yes, even for adults! 

It is a handy site for bulking up your lesson plan with popular worksheets created by teachers. If you find a particular teacher you like, you can take a look at their profile for more great resources. 

You can just find just about anything on ISL Collective . Type it in the search bar.

Please note that you will have to check for errors because these resources were created by regular tutors like ourselves (not a company with a proofreader). I have noticed grammatical mistakes in some resources, even the most popular ones.

Here are some free resources to get you started:

• At the bank (vocab, grammar, and comprehension)
• Let me introduce myself (adult edition)
• Conversation Lesson: Culture Shock
• Telling the Time
• Speed Dating (using prefer and comparatives)

2. Breaking News English

Breaking News English is an excellent resource for adults. 

At Breaking News English, you can sort by level. 0-3 is easy. 4-6 is more challenging.

Once you’ve sorted by level, you can find wacky, unconventional news on every kind of topic. 

They have news lessons on education, business English , environment, people/gossip, lifestyle, health, issues, and world news.

They usually have a news story , new vocabulary (explained), and exercises in each worksheet. They also have podcast versions of the news stories.

When you’ve found a lesson you like, click “Print the Lesson” in the Read section.

The best thing is that all the worksheets are free! They are high quality and could easily suffice for a full 60-minute to 90-minute lesson.

Here are some worksheets for adults for you to sample:

• South Korean Lantern Light Festival
• Scientists Say They Can Reverse the Aging Process
• Japan + A.I. Matchmaking
• Ecocide Could Become an International Crime
• Unhealthy Diet Creates Height Gap in Children

3. ESL Library

If you are looking for high-quality ESL worksheets for adults, you will certainly find them here at ESL Library. While this is not a free resource and involves a monthly or yearly billing subscription, teachers can dig out some free material to sample.

ESL library is a great supplement to your teaching materials. It allows teachers to search by topic and include a quick worksheet to complement a lesson plan.

When checking out their worksheets on a particular topic, teachers can sort the topics into their own folders for later use. They can also check the worksheets’ US, Canadian, or UK versions. Each worksheet comes with a teacher and student PDF version and downloadable audio.

Their lesson categories include discussions and debates, grammar , young learners and adult literacy, everyday English, academic and business English, reading and discovery, holidays and travel, and English storylines.

ESL Library also has digital lessons that can be broadcast in the classroom, flashcards, and other printable content.

• Distracted Driving Int-Adv
• The Second Conditional Int
• Long Lost Friends (Idioms- Int)
• Internet Entrepreneurs (Business- Adv)
• Susan B. Anthony 

You may also be interested in:   Excellent ESL Icebreaker Activities

For English Language Teachers or Those Looking to Get Started…

Teacher tips, new teacher checklist, teacher planner, and notes. Subscribe for ESL News, jobs, and more!

4. English Club

English Club has lots of useful resources and free worksheets for adult learners. They also have an ESL section dedicated to teachers. 

You just have to know where to look. To find it, click the upper right-hand corner of their website, entitled “Teach.” Here you can conveniently sort by ESL worksheets, lesson plans, talking points, ESL activities, and so forth.

For the purpose of this blog post, we will select “ESL Worksheets.” From here, you can sort the worksheets by topics– conversation worksheets, Find Someone Who worksheets, or video project worksheets.

You can also sort the worksheets by skill– reading, listening, writing, speaking, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Here are some samples you might be interested in:

• Countable VS Uncountable
• Time Sorting
• ESL Conversation– Crime
• Useful Homophone List by Level
• Word Stress 1
• Divided Kingdom Listening

5. Learn English Feel Good

Learn English Feel Good is great for adult grammar worksheets, and you will find a host of their worksheets readily available without having to search high and low!

Their downloadable worksheets cover tenses, verbs, articles, prepositions, pronouns , and many others that will keep adult learners busy.

Before handing out these worksheets, revising the grammar topic or providing some kind of introduction would be good, as these worksheets head straight into the exercise without much explanation.

There are also some answers on the second page of each worksheet. Not for handing out to students, of course!

• Article or No Article
• Reported Speech 
• Tag Questions
• Present Continuous or Present Simple?
• The Future Perfect Tense
• The Passive Voice

You may also be interested in: The Best English Teaching Companies in 2022.

6. Teach This

Teach This is another great site for ESL adult teaching materials. This site has an abundance of resources, especially for the exclusive (paying) ESL teacher.

Teach This uncovers ESL worksheets for grammar, parts of speech, functional English, general English, and games.

The entire worksheets library can be downloaded for just a $39 yearly subscription. Or teachers can sign up for a monthly subscription.

Here are some of the free resources you can find on the site. They have some short and long worksheets to complete:

• Money Phrasal Verbs
• The Rose B1
• A New Country
• Agreeing and Disagreeing
• Would You Like to Leave a Message

You may also be interested in: Best Grammar Websites for Students

7. Off2Class

Off2Class is a paid platform that offers a full virtual classroom for teachers and students. 

I talk much more about Off2Class in my Off2Class review and interview with teacher trainer Chris Rush.

The lesson materials are of superb quality and cut the lesson planning time. If, however, you are just looking for free ESL worksheets for adults, they also have some of those to try out too.

Teachers can also avail of free ESL worksheets when they sign up via e-mail.

Here are some worksheets for you to try out with your adult learners:

• The English Alphabet
• Teaching Business English — Advertising
• Teaching Adjectives and Opposites
• 4 Free IELTS Lessons
• Family Routine Reading
• Being Healthy (Questio n s and Vocabulary)

8. ESL Pals

ESL Pals might be the new kid on the block, but they offer a range of high-quality resources for adults. The worksheets are article and video-based. They add new lessons regularly. If you want to receive some free lessons, sign up to receive their emails.

ESL Pals have general English, business English, grammar, and conversation class lesson plans. You can pay a subscription fee for unlimited access to their curriculum.

Check out some of the free worksheets they have made available:

• Should (A2-B1)
• Netflix: Competition in Business (B2)
• How to Describe People (A2)
• How to Make Better Decisions (B2)
• The Interview Process (C1)
• Family (A1)

9. Pinterest

Pinterest has an abundance of worksheets for teaching English, but it will take a bit of digging to find the right one.

Simply type “ESL worksheets for adults” into the search bar, and you will find various worksheets. Or you can be more specific about what you are looking for, “business English worksheets.” The more detailed, the better.

Pinterest is good at pulling up the most popular resources for teachers to choose from.

Pinterest often links to other websites so you can find even more resources.

Here are some examples of what you can find on Pinterest:

• Emails in English
• Be More Descriptive
• Phone Conversation
• Sample Interview Questions

In Conclusion

Many resources are available on the internet to keep you and your adult learners busy learning English. These are just some of the ESL worksheets for adults I’ve found with a quick Google search.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Check the Best ESL Websites for Teachers and see if there is anything I missed. I’m sure you can find what you’re looking for.

While these worksheets are suitable for adult learners (beginner to advanced), they can also be adapted to younger learners. I hope you’ve found this list helpful.

Like this post? Don’t forget to share so others can find it!

Useful Links

• Online ESL Games to Play
• Best Rolling Carts for Teachers
• Teach English Online Ultimate Guide
• How I Use Manycam for Online Classes
• Pros and Cons of Online Teaching

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Join my exclusive community to get the latest jobs, news, and opportunities delivered directly to your inbox. Grab my teacher planner, teacher checklist, and tips now. Sign up here.

Get Certified

Start your teaching journey and get certified now. Watch my YouTube video about how I got started, or read about my experience here: The TEFL Academy review.

Start Your First Teaching Job

New to the world of online teaching or just want to fill some hours in? Curious if this is a career you want to pursue? Check out Cambly to get started. Read the Cambly review.

Highest-Paying Online Teaching Jobs

In my post, I cover a list of some of the highest-paying online teaching jobs . Alternatively, use the curriculum online and find your own students. It’s easier than you think!

Accept Payments Online and Save Money

Use Wise to accept payments from overseas. It has the lowest exchange rates, which is what I am currently using. Get Wise.

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Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.

12 Best Online English Teaching Jobs To Korean Students

Gogokid vs magic ears: which should you choose.

Thanks a lot. You are the best.

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21 ESL Short Reading Passages for Adults with Answers 2024

Explore our collection of 21 short reading passages for adults ESL learners. Each passage, ranging from 50 to 60 words, covers a variety of everyday contexts, offering a diverse range of topics such as time management, sustainable living, and the benefits of laughter. Accompanied by two multiple-choice questions and answers, these passages provide an engaging and effective resource for testing comprehension skills and promoting language acquisition among adult English language learners.

Short Reading Passages for Adults 1:

Read the information below, then choose the best answer.

1. The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for their pharaohs. These colossal structures served as monuments and were constructed with limestone and granite. The main purpose of the pyramids was to safeguard the pharaoh’s body and possessions in the afterlife. The most famous pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Giza, is a testament to the architectural brilliance of the ancient Egyptians.

1. What was the primary purpose of the ancient Egyptian pyramids?

A) To showcase architectural skills

B) To serve as tombs for pharaohs

C) To store treasures and gold

D) To provide shelter for the people

2. How does the author describe the Great Pyramid of Giza?

A) A simple structure

B) A symbol of modern architecture

C) A testament to ancient Egyptian architectural brilliance

D) A small monument in the desert

People also ask

2. During the Renaissance, artists focused on depicting the beauty of the human form and nature. They aimed to capture realism, using techniques like chiaroscuro to create depth and shadow. This period saw a shift from religious themes to a celebration of individualism and classical knowledge. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo left an indelible mark, influencing art for centuries.

1. What was a significant focus of artists during the Renaissance?

A) Depicting religious themes

B) Celebrating individualism and classical knowledge

C) Ignoring the human form

D) Avoiding the use of chiaroscuro

2. How does the author describe the influence of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo?

A) Minimal impact on art history

B) Limited influence on Renaissance art

C) Leaving an indelible mark and influencing art for centuries

D) Having no impact on the art world

Short Reading Passages for Adults 3:

3. Effective time management is crucial for success. By prioritizing tasks, individuals can enhance productivity and reduce stress. Planning allows for a balance between work and personal life. Studies show that those who manage their time efficiently are more likely to achieve their goals. It is a skill that positively impacts both professional and personal aspects of life.

1. What is the main point of the passage?

A) Stress management techniques

B) The importance of effective time management

C) Balancing work and personal life

D) Setting unrealistic goals

2. According to the passage, how does effective time management positively impact individuals?

A) Increases stress

B) Reduces productivity

C) Enhances productivity and reduces stress

D) Only affects personal life

4. Recycling at home is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to environmental conservation. Separating recyclables like paper, plastic, and glass from regular waste reduces landfill waste. By adopting this habit, individuals actively participate in sustainable practices. It not only helps the environment but also sets an example for future generations on responsible living.

1. What is the primary focus of the passage?

A) Reducing landfill waste

B) Recycling at home as a sustainable practice

C) The impact of recycling on future generations

D) Disposing of waste responsibly

2. How does the author view recycling at home?

A) Unimportant and ineffective

B) A complicated process

C) A simple yet impactful way to contribute to environmental conservation

D) Only beneficial for future generations

Short Reading Passages for Adults 5:

5. Waking up early has its benefits. It allows for a calm start to the day, providing time for a nutritious breakfast and exercise. Research suggests that early risers tend to be more productive. Embracing a morning routine fosters a positive mindset, setting the tone for a successful day.

A) The benefits of waking up early

B) The importance of a nutritious breakfast

C) The role of exercise in morning routines

D) The impact of sleep on productivity

2. According to the passage, how does embracing a morning routine affect individuals?

A) Increases stress levels

B) Fosters a positive mindset and sets the tone for a successful day

C) Reduces productivity

D) Has no impact on the day

Passage 6: 

6. Smartphones have become integral to modern life. While they enhance communication and provide convenience, excessive usage can lead to digital addiction. Studies indicate a correlation between excessive screen time and sleep disturbances. Striking a balance between staying connected and managing screen time is crucial for maintaining overall well-being.

1. How does the author view excessive smartphone usage?

A) Beneficial for overall well-being

B) A harmless habit

C) Potentially leading to digital addiction and sleep disturbances

D) Essential for communication

2. What is NOT a benefit mentioned in the passage regarding smartphones?

A) Enhanced communication

B) Convenience

C) Improved sleep quality

D) Modern life integration

Short Reading Passages for Adults 7:

7. Adopting sustainable practices in daily life contributes to environmental conservation. Small actions, such as reducing single-use plastics and conserving energy, collectively make a significant impact. Research shows that communities embracing sustainable living not only reduce their carbon footprint but also create a healthier environment for future generations.

A) The impact of single-use plastics on the environment

B) Creating a healthier environment for future generations through sustainable living

C) Conserving energy as a key sustainable practice

D) Research on sustainable living practices

2. How can the concept of sustainable living be applied to another context?

A) Sustainable practices have no relevance in different situations

B) Conserving energy is only applicable at home

C) Communities embracing sustainable living reduce their carbon footprint; similarly, individuals can reduce their personal carbon footprint.

D) Research on sustainable living practices is limited to specific regions

Passage 8: 

8. In today’s fast-paced world, stress is inevitable. However, adopting coping mechanisms is crucial for well-being. Engaging in activities like meditation and exercise helps manage stress levels. While some stress is a natural response, chronic stress can negatively impact both physical and mental health. Prioritizing self-care is essential for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

A) Chronic stress negatively impacts health

B) The inevitability of stress in today’s world

C) The importance of adopting coping mechanisms for stress management

D) The impact of meditation on mental health

2. According to the passage, what is a potential consequence of chronic stress?

A) Improved physical health

B) Negatively impacting both physical and mental health

C) Enhanced coping mechanisms

D) Reduced need for self-care

Short Reading Passages for Adults 9:

9. Maintaining a balanced diet is vital for overall health. Consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides essential nutrients. While occasional indulgence is acceptable, excessive intake of processed foods and sugars can lead to health issues. Developing mindful eating habits and staying hydrated contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

1. How does the author view occasional indulgence in the passage?

A) Discouraged and harmful

B) Acceptable as part of a balanced diet

C) Essential for overall health

D) Only suitable for individuals with specific dietary needs

2. What is NOT emphasized in the passage as contributing to a healthier lifestyle?

A) Staying hydrated

B) Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables

C) Regular exercise

D) Developing mindful eating habits

Passage 10: 

10. Effective communication in the digital age requires proper etiquette. Responding promptly to emails and messages is a sign of professionalism. However, being mindful of the tone used is equally important. Misunderstandings can arise easily in written communication. Balancing clarity and courtesy ensures meaningful interactions, fostering positive relationships in both personal and professional spheres.

A) The importance of responding promptly to emails

B) Balancing clarity and courtesy in digital communication

C) The challenges of written communication

D) Professionalism in personal relationships

2. How can the concept of balancing clarity and courtesy in digital communication be applied to face-to-face interactions?

A) Face-to-face interactions don’t require clarity and courtesy

B) Clarity and courtesy are only relevant in digital communication

C) Similar to digital communication, maintaining clarity and courtesy in face-to-face interactions ensures meaningful and positive relationships

D) The rules of communication differ between digital and face-to-face interactions

Short Reading Passages for Adults 11:

11. With the rise of remote work, creating a conducive home office environment is essential. Proper lighting, ergonomic furniture, and a dedicated workspace positively impact productivity. Distractions should be minimized, and breaks taken to avoid burnout. The flexibility of remote work comes with the responsibility of maintaining a work-life balance for overall well-being.

1. According to the passage, how do proper lighting and ergonomic furniture impact productivity?

A) They have no effect on productivity

B) They negatively impact productivity

C) They positively impact productivity

D) They only affect physical well-being

2. How does the author view the flexibility of remote work?

A) As a burden on individuals

B) Without any impact on well-being

C) It comes with the responsibility of maintaining a work-life balance for overall well-being

D) It hinders productivity

Passage 12: 

12. Public transportation plays a vital role in urban sustainability. It reduces traffic congestion, lowers air pollution, and promotes energy efficiency. Commuting via buses or trains not only saves time but also contributes to a greener environment. Encouraging public transportation usage can lead to more sustainable and eco-friendly cities.

A) The convenience of commuting via public transportation

B) The impact of public transportation on urban sustainability

C) The drawbacks of using buses or trains

D) The importance of personal vehicles for commuting

2. How can the concept of promoting eco-friendly commuting be applied to personal vehicle usage?

A) Personal vehicles have no impact on the environment

B) Eco-friendly commuting is only applicable to public transportation

C) Similar to public transportation, adopting eco-friendly practices in personal vehicle usage contributes to a greener environment

D) Personal vehicle usage is not relevant to environmental sustainability

Short Reading Passages for Adults 13:

13. Embracing lifelong learning enhances personal and professional development. Acquiring new skills and knowledge fosters adaptability in a rapidly changing world. Continuous learning provides a sense of fulfillment and can open doors to new opportunities. Individuals who prioritize ongoing education often find themselves better equipped to navigate challenges and succeed in various aspects of life.

A) The drawbacks of lifelong learning

B) The impact of continuous learning on personal and professional development

C) The limited opportunities provided by ongoing education

D) The challenges of acquiring new skills

2. What is NOT mentioned as a benefit of lifelong learning in the passage?

A) Fostering adaptability

B) Providing a sense of fulfillment

C) Limiting opportunities

D) Opening doors to new opportunities

Passage 14: 

Read the information below, then choose the best answer .

14. Engaging in outdoor exercise offers numerous benefits beyond physical health. Exposure to natural sunlight boosts mood and vitamin D levels. The variety in terrain provides a diverse workout experience. Research indicates that outdoor activities reduce stress and increase overall well-being. Whether it’s a brisk walk or a challenging hike, incorporating outdoor exercise into daily routines contributes to a healthier lifestyle.

1. According to the passage, how does exposure to natural sunlight during outdoor exercise impact well-being?

A) It has no effect on well-being

B) It reduces overall well-being

C) It boosts mood and vitamin D levels, contributing to overall well-being

D) It only affects physical health

2. How can the concept of incorporating outdoor exercise into daily routines be applied to indoor workouts?

A) Outdoor exercise is the only effective way to improve overall well-being

B) Indoor workouts have no impact on well-being

C) Similar to outdoor exercise, incorporating indoor workouts into daily routines contributes to a healthier lifestyle

D) Outdoor exercise is more beneficial than indoor workouts

Short Reading Passages for Adults 15:

15. Volunteering is a powerful way to contribute to society. Beyond the tangible benefits to the community, volunteering also enhances personal growth. Engaging in acts of kindness fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Research shows that individuals who volunteer regularly report increased happiness and reduced stress levels. Giving time and skills to help others creates a positive impact on both the volunteer and the community.

A) The drawbacks of volunteering

B) The importance of personal growth through volunteering

C) The impact of volunteering on stress levels

D) The negative effects of community service

2. According to the passage, how does engaging in acts of kindness through volunteering impact individuals?

A) It has no effect on individuals

B) It fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment, leading to increased happiness and reduced stress levels

C) It only benefits the community

D) It negatively affects personal growth

Passage 16:

16. Laughter is a natural and powerful tool for improving both physical and mental well-being. It releases endorphins, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Moreover, laughter strengthens the immune system and enhances cardiovascular health. Cultivating a sense of humor and finding joy in everyday situations contribute to a positive outlook on life, fostering a happier and healthier lifestyle.

A) The drawbacks of laughter

B) The impact of laughter on physical and mental well-being

C) The negative effects of humor

D) The importance of relaxation techniques

2. How can the concept of finding joy in everyday situations be applied to challenging circumstances?

A) Finding joy in everyday situations is only relevant in positive circumstances

B) Cultivating a sense of humor is unnecessary in challenging situations

C) Similar to finding joy in everyday situations, maintaining a positive outlook in challenging circumstances contributes to a happier and healthier lifestyle

D) Positive outlooks have no impact on overall well-being

Short Reading Passages for Adults 17:

17. Music has a profound effect on our emotions and mood. Upbeat tunes can energize and motivate, while calming melodies promote relaxation. Scientific studies suggest that music stimulates the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Choosing the right music for different situations can be a powerful tool for managing emotions and enhancing overall well-being.

1. According to the passage, how does music impact the release of neurotransmitters?

A) Music has no effect on neurotransmitters

B) It stimulates the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter

C) It only affects negative emotions

D) Music negatively impacts the release of neurotransmitters

2. How can the concept of choosing the right music for different situations be applied to daily activities?

A) Choosing music has no impact on daily activities

B) Similar to different situations, selecting appropriate music for various daily activities can be a powerful tool for managing emotions and enhancing overall well-being

C) Music is only relevant in specific circumstances

D) Daily activities have no connection to managing emotions

Passage 18:

18. Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. During sleep, the body undergoes crucial processes such as muscle repair and memory consolidation. Lack of sleep can lead to a range of health issues, including impaired cognitive function and weakened immunity. Prioritizing quality sleep by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleep environment positively impacts physical and mental health.

A) The drawbacks of adequate sleep

B) The importance of maintaining a consistent sleep schedule

C) The impact of sleep on physical and mental health

D) The benefits of impaired cognitive function

2. According to the passage, what can be a consequence of lack of sleep?

A) Improved cognitive function

B) Weakened immunity and impaired cognitive function

C) Enhanced memory consolidation

D) No impact on health

Short Reading Passages for Adults 19:

19. Mindfulness meditation is an effective technique for reducing stress and promoting mental well-being. By focusing on the present moment and observing thoughts without judgment, individuals can cultivate a sense of calm. Scientific studies indicate that regular mindfulness practice can lead to decreased stress levels, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced overall mental clarity. Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines can contribute to a more balanced and resilient mindset.

A) The drawbacks of mindfulness meditation

B) The benefits of incorporating mindfulness into daily routines

C) The impact of stress on mental well-being

D) The importance of emotional regulation

2. How can the concept of observing thoughts without judgment be applied to communication with others?

A) It is irrelevant to communication with others

B) Similar to mindfulness, practicing non-judgmental observation of thoughts during communication can enhance understanding and reduce stress

C) Communication does not impact mental well-being

D) Non-judgmental observation of thoughts is only applicable in personal situations

Passage 20: 

20. Taking walks in nature offers a range of physical and mental health benefits. The fresh air and green surroundings promote relaxation and stress reduction. Physical activity during nature walks contributes to cardiovascular health and improved fitness. Research suggests that spending time in natural environments enhances mood and creativity. Incorporating regular nature walks into one’s routine can lead to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

A) The drawbacks of nature walks

B) The impact of physical activity on cardiovascular health

C) The benefits of spending time in nature on overall health and well-being

D) The importance of fitness in daily life

2. According to the passage, how does spending time in natural environments impact mood and creativity?

A) It has no effect on mood and creativity

B) It negatively impacts mood

C) It enhances mood and creativity

Short Reading Passages for Adults 21:

21. Maintaining strong social connections is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Engaging in meaningful relationships provides support during challenging times and promotes a sense of belonging. Scientific studies highlight the positive effects of social connections on mental health, including reduced stress levels and improved mood. Nurturing and prioritizing relationships contribute to a fulfilling and happier life.

A) The drawbacks of social connections

B) The importance of maintaining strong social connections for mental and emotional well-being

C) The impact of stress on relationships

D) The benefits of solitude for mental health

2. How can the concept of providing support during challenging times be applied to workplace environments?

A) Support in workplace environments is not relevant

B) Similar to meaningful relationships, providing support in workplace environments fosters a positive atmosphere and contributes to overall well-being

C) Meaningful relationships have no impact on the workplace

D) Workplace environments are not conducive to emotional well-being

Answers to Short Reading Passages for Adults

Passage 1: answers.

1. Answer: B) To serve as tombs for pharaohs

2. Answer: C) A testament to ancient Egyptian architectural brilliance

Passage 2: Answers

1. Answer: B) Celebrating individualism and classical knowledge

2. Answer: C) Leaving an indelible mark and influencing art for centuries

Passage 3: Answers

1. Answer: B) The importance of effective time management

2. Answer: C) Enhances productivity and reduces stress

Passage 4: Answers

1. Answer: B) Recycling at home as a sustainable practice

2. Answer: C) A simple yet impactful way to contribute to environmental conservation

Passage 5: Answers

1. Answer: A) The benefits of waking up early

2. Answer: B) Fosters a positive mindset and sets the tone for a successful day

Passage 6: Answers

1. Answer: C) Potentially leading to digital addiction and sleep disturbances

2. Answer: C) Improved sleep quality

Passage 7: Answers

1. Answer: B) Creating a healthier environment for future generations through sustainable living

2. Answer: C) Communities embracing sustainable living reduce their carbon footprint; similarly, individuals can reduce their personal carbon footprint.

Passage 8: Answers

1. Answer: C) The importance of adopting coping mechanisms for stress management

2. Answer: B) Negatively impacting both physical and mental health

Passage 9: Answers

1. Answer: B) Acceptable as part of a balanced diet

2. Answer: C) Regular exercise

Passage 10: Answers

1. Answer: B) Balancing clarity and courtesy in digital communication

2. Answer: C) Similar to digital communication, maintaining clarity and courtesy in face-to-face interactions ensures meaningful and positive relationships

Passage 11: Answers

1. Answer: C) They positively impact productivity

2. Answer: C) It comes with the responsibility of maintaining a work-life balance for overall well-being

Passage 12: Answers

1. Answer: B) The impact of public transportation on urban sustainability

2. Answer: C) Similar to public transportation, adopting eco-friendly practices in personal vehicle usage contributes to a greener environment

Passage 13: Answers

1. Answer: B) The impact of continuous learning on personal and professional development

2. Answer: C) Limiting opportunities

Passage 14: Answers

1. Answer: C) It boosts mood and vitamin D levels, contributing to overall well-being

2. Answer: C) Similar to outdoor exercise, incorporating indoor workouts into daily routines contributes to a healthier lifestyle

Passage 15: Answers

1. Answer: B) The importance of personal growth through volunteering

2. Answer: B) It fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment, leading to increased happiness and reduced stress levels

Passage 16: Answers

1. Answer: B) The impact of laughter on physical and mental well-being

2. Answer: C) Similar to finding joy in everyday situations, maintaining a positive outlook in challenging circumstances contributes to a happier and healthier lifestyle

Passage 17: Answers

1. Answer: B) It stimulates the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter

2. Answer: B) Similar to different situations, selecting appropriate music for various daily activities can be a powerful tool for managing emotions and enhancing overall well-being

Passage 18: Answers

1. Answer: C) The impact of sleep on physical and mental health

2. Answer: B) Weakened immunity and impaired cognitive function

Passage 19: Answers

1. Answer: B) The benefits of incorporating mindfulness into daily routines

2. Answer: B) Similar to mindfulness, practicing non-judgmental observation of thoughts during communication can enhance understanding and reduce stress

Passage 20: Answers

1. Answer: C) The benefits of spending time in nature on overall health and well-being

2. Answer: C) It enhances mood and creativity

Passage 21: Answers

1. Answer: B) The importance of maintaining strong social connections for mental and emotional well-being

2. Answer: B) Similar to meaningful relationships, providing support in workplace environments fosters a positive atmosphere and contributes to overall well-being

Related Posts:

• Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Inferences Worksheets

• Context Clues Worksheets
• Theme Worksheets

Main Idea Worksheets

• Reading Games
• Summary Worksheets
• Online Tests
• Figurative Language Worksheets
• Short Stories with Questions
• Nonfiction Passages
• Genre Worksheets

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Reading worksheets.

Ereading Worksheets has the best reading worksheets on the internet, and they're all free. These worksheets are skill focused and aligned to Common Core State Standards. You are free to save, edit, and print these worksheets for personal or classroom use. Many of these assignments can now be completed online. You're going to like this.

This page features a sampling of the reading worksheets on this website, organized by skills. You can find more activity by browsing the pages that are dedicated to each reading skill.

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104 Comments

great website! it made my work easier.. love it. thank you

This is one of the best websites I ever came across! It’s just simply the best website for English, apart from the web dictionaries 😉

I’ve been using this website for getting great grades (alliteration is one of those things that your games inspired me to do; not that yours are bad though) at my examinations for atleast 2 years.

I will be forever grateful to Mr. Morton for his wonderful website!

Maybe-Your-Most-Favourite-Viewer

Thank you for visiting and the kind words!

English is my second language.

It is with great pleasure that I found your web site. Over the summer 2020, I printed almost all your reading comprehension materials for my grade 7 and 9 kids to read. I myself read each of them too and answered each of the questions. Your web sites rekindled my interest in reading as an adult.

I am bit selfish to hope there are more reading comprehension materials for my kids and myself.

Thank you for your great work! The world becomes more beautiful because of your altruistic contribution.

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am always trying to create more content as well as improve the existing content. Best wishes, friend!

Tina Torres

This will help my child alot with her homework,i like this app

Laura Stapel

Hi, Thanks so much for these reading worksheets. They are original and unique and perfect for my tuition of gifted and talented sudents. Just wondering if you have an answer key for the following sheets:

The Authors Purpose 3 Figurative Language Worksheet 3 Non Fiction Reading Test Garbage

Thanks so much and well done on an excellent resource!

its good but i think u should add more games

this is great.

Zainab Ali Asghar

Hello Mr Morton, WOW!! these worksheets, games and activities are simply outstanding!! I am a teacher from Pakistan and these worksheets have helped me immensely in my learning as well as in the school when I share them with my students!! Thank you SOOOO much! I came across figurative language activities which was just the thing I was looking for but I would really appreciate if you could put up activities related to other grammar content; for example, characterization, inferential, fact and opinion, and all other content which we can integrate in our classroom activities.

Forever grateful, Zainab

That’s awesome. I actually have all of that content posted already. I’ve got to figure out some way to make the content more visible. Thanks for visiting!

it helped me in my exams

Hello Mr. Morton,

Thank you for using this great website for my daughter and me. It helps me and my daughter a lot. Do you have answers below***** those tests? If you have can I have it?

***** Jacob the Great Comprehension Test Nutrition Facts Comprehension Worksheet Pain Reliever Comprehension Worksheet

Here are those keys.

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/reading-comprehension-worksheets/jacob-the-great-answers.html

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/reading-comprehension-worksheets/medicine-comprehension-worksheet-answers.html

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/reading-comprehension-worksheets/nutrition-facts-comprehension-activity-answers.htm

Thanks for using the website!

well,these storys are…AWSOME

Michael Holson

Would I be able to post your Power points and worksheets on my webpage? I’ll leave all of them the same and i’ll also put your name on them.

I’m ok with that. Links back to my website as attribution are appreciated.

Samira El-Sabban

Such an outstanding work; i do appreciate the effort and i find it quite useful thanks a million Samira El-Sabban Head of English Department Rajac Schools Egypt

Sarah Madden

Thank you THank you!!!! This site is amazing! I cannot be more happy with it!

hello great passages but is there answers to these passages.

Answers are posted where available, typically under a link that says “View Answers.”

great website!!!!!! I am using your materials for my home school kids

steward Pheirim

This is brilliant, Thank you so much. Absolutely a treasure!!!

My tutor absolutely LOVES this website(so do I) but I was just wondering where the answer key for Jacob the Great? Awesome stories too. I love how detailed they are!

You make teaching easier! Thank you!

Just amazing thanks a lot really

very helpful, exercises are enriching.

I’ve read three of the passages you have here.

The first one was about metal detectors, was amusing, I like it and it’s good to know some of this facts.

The second one was a persuasive text about seat belts, how them keep us safe and the author keeps telling us to use them.

And the third one, my favourite, was about the pony express and how they carry the mail and how hard was and the complications, it’s interesting because they had a problem and they sorted it out in a clever way.

I like your website, thank you very much.

I’m so happy that you do. Best wishes!

hello my name is gabby i like this app it is really fun

It was very good and it is also enriching

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31 Effective Reading Comprehension Activities

October 30, 2023 //  by  Sean Kivi

There are hundreds of different ideas on how to help your students develop their reading comprehension. No matter what technique you choose, the goal is to be able to check your students’ understanding of a text. Here’s a list of the top 31 reading comprehension activities that we find to be most varied and beneficial for developing numerous areas of comprehension. So, without further adieu, get exploring to find a few new approaches to try with your class!

1. Roll & Chat Dice

Who would’ve thought that die could be used to assess understanding? This activity relies on just two dies to accomplish just that! Once your students have finished their class reader, have them work in partners or small groups to roll dice and answer the corresponding questions provided. Best of all- you can adapt the questions for any grade level or subject!

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

Looking for fun and educational kits for kids? Check out our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids

2. WANTED Poster

Here’s an arty pursuit to tie into your next reading comprehension session! Creating a wanted poster for a character in the story that your kids are reading will highlight their understanding of that character. Simply have them draw a picture and add some character traits, and a few actions taken by their characters to demonstrate their knowledge.

Learn More: Education.com

3. Story Cheeseburger

Get your kiddos revved up about reading comprehensions by turning this process into a burger-building expedition! To do so, have your students link each part of a hamburger with a different element of a story! This will help you see if they’ve grasped the plot as well as the other elements, or if there are a few gaps in their understanding.

Learn More: Unique Teaching Resources

4. Reading Comprehension Worksheets 

Nothing like a good ol’ worksheet to ring a concept home! Here’s a plethora of worksheets that include reading passages with comprehension questions that you can quickly print out. They’re useful for teaching different reading strategies and don’t take up too much of your planning and prep time!

Learn More: K5 Learning

5. Make a Timeline

Test your students’ understanding by having them map out a timeline. By doing so, they’ll exhibit their knowledge of sequential events and be able to effectively relay the most important facts from their reading passages.

Learn more: Education.com

6. Yellow Brick Road Retelling

This is an excellent strategy to get your kids involved in active reading. All that’s required is for them to break a passage or story apart piece by piece. Using a piece of poster board, images, sticky notes, and markers, help your learners separate key information in terms of outlining various elements. In the end, they should be able to use the board to retell the chosen tale in a cohesive manner!

Learn More: Just Cara Carroll

7. Anticipation Guide

This is a perfect pre-reading activity to get your students to better understand the reading process in more detail. They’ll need to make some predictions about the story by sharing if they agree or disagree with the statements provided in the anticipation guide. We suggest that you return to this guide after reading to reveal whether or not their predictions were accurate!

Learn More: Reading Rockets

8. Question Ball

This after-reading activity will surely increase student engagement in your class! By taking an inflatable beach ball and writing the 5 W’s on each colored stripe: who, what, when, where, and why- your students can throw the ball around the class and answer questions about the story. Whichever question stem is touching their right hand when they catch the ball can be the start of your crafted question.

Learn More: Coffee Cups and Crayons

9. Lego Retelling

This idea is most suited for use with younger learners who may not have started reading and writing journeys in full yet. Have them retell a story by building lego images that represent different parts of the book. They can then visually piece together scenes as they describe what they’ve built.

Learn More: The Educators Pin On It

10. Story Telling Bracelet

Here’s a simple tactile tool that could be just what your kiddos need to help them retell stories. This teaching procedure involves your kids creating a beaded bracelet that assigns each colored bead to a particular part of a text. For example, yellow for the setting, green for the characters, and blue for the conflict. As you ask them to retell the story, they can touch each bead in an attempt to prompt themselves to recall some of the most important elements of the plot!

Learn More: Growing Book By Book

11. Reading Cheat Sheets

Need to help your students understand critical reading skills? Use these cheat sheets to provide them with expert details and things to bear in mind while they read a text. Simply print out and laminate the cheat sheets or bookmarks and use them to prompt your kiddos to think or discuss different elements of the text. 

Learn More: Research Parent

12. Vocabulary Skits

Improving your students’ vocabulary skills will have a positive impact on their reading comprehension. That’s why we’ve chosen this task for your students to turn selected vocabulary words into short skits. Playing charades and guessing which vocabulary word their classmates are acting out will spice up the often-dry task of vocabulary learning and improve reading comprehension that much faster!

Learn More: YouTube

13. Painting the Scene

Visualizing is a fantastic strategy that can help your students create mental pictures to better recall story elements. Ask your students to close their eyes so that they can’t refer to the illustrations as you read a descriptive book aloud. Then, have them open their eyes and share what they saw before drawing their vivid mental images on a pair of pre-cut paper sunglasses. 

Learn More: Raise the Bar Reading

14. Diary Entries from Characters

Time to get in character! After reading, task your learners with writing a diary entry from the point of view of one of the characters. Thinking like their storybook characters will nurture empathy and emotional intelligence, as well as show you the traits they’ve picked up on and can recall with ease, whilst also providing insight into which areas may need a little more revision. 

Learn More: Twinkl

15. Plotting With Mind Maps

Doodles take on a new purpose with this next idea! Ask your students to create mind maps that connect the dots between characters, themes, and events. This endeavor offers a fresh angle for grasping the narrative’s intricate storyline and is an ideal complement to verbal discussion and traditional book reports.

Learn More: Template.net

16. Expanding Vocabulary with the ‘Word of the Day’

Building vocabulary will definitely help your learners comprehend difficult text. Pick a word from your current class text each day and have your kiddos analyze and learn its definition. Then, the next time this word appears in one of their passages, they’ll already recognize it and know its meaning!  

Learn More: Lizard Learning

17. Cause-and-Effect Diagrams

This activity is great for utilization either during or after a reading session. Simply have your little detectives search for cause-and-effect relationships within their text before recording the examples in the provided diagram. You can also adapt this approach by providing them with the cause and asking them to find the effect and vice versa. 

Learn More: Mrs. Warner’s Learning Community

18. Storyboarding the Text

This activity will intrigue your up-and-coming movie directors! Your students can exhibit their understanding of a narrative by laying out key events on a storyboard. This visually captivating task will help you facilitate an intuitive grasp of the plot sequence whilst highlighting the most important parts of a story by getting your learners to develop detailed pictures and short captions. 

Learn More: Movavi

19. Reciprocal Teaching

Reciprocal teaching is all about activating peer power! Have your students break into small groups and take turns adopting teacher-student roles. The ‘teachers’ will guide discussions and ask probing questions about the text, while the students respond with what they know before switching roles. 

Learn More: Smore

20. Quiz Creation

Test makers, take your positions! Challenge your students to design quizzes about any given text. To up the stakes, their quiz should be complete with multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions. Talk about a fun role reversal that lets them show off their grasp of the material while reinforcing key takeaways.

Learn More: Canva

21. Peek Into The Future

Psychic reading or educated guess anyone? Before diving into a new text, have your students jot down their predictions on sticky notes and paste them on an anchor chart that displays a crystal ball. Later, get them to compare these forecasts to the actual outcomes. 

22. Puppet Show Retelling

Budding theater producers this one’s for you! Encourage your students to reenact pivotal scenes using puppets. This role play activity will amplify their grasp of the characters, storylines, and sequences alike. 

23. Writing Alternate Endings

What if is a powerful question. Once you’ve finished a class book, urge your students to rewrite the ending or even draft a sequel. Alternate realities are more than just creative exercises; they offer a deep dive into understanding characters and their motivations. Plus, they have the potential to ignite discussions on how a single twist can alter the narrative landscape whilst working to reinforce original content and better bind it to memory.

Learn More: Teach Starter

24. Character Interviews

In this activity, one student will role play a storybook character, and the other will act as a journalist. Conducting fictional interviews to explore the psyche and motivations of characters in a newsroom-like setting is bound to get your kiddos more familiar with the content that they’ve read. 

25. Breaking Down Themes

Theme hunters, let’s go! Assign your students the task of dissecting the major themes of a story- discovering recurring motifs and underlying messages along the way. They’ll need to provide text evidence to support their claims and display their comprehension! 

Learn More: Easy Teacher Worksheets

26. Annotation Walk

Annotating is an awesome strategy that can help your kiddos actively engage with a text as they read. By using symbols like an exclamation mark to note a surprising element, or a magnifying glass to highlight something that they want to know more about, your learners can note and track their thoughts on sticky notes! Once complete, hang posters with the symbols around your classroom and have them walk around; adding their annotations onto each display. In the end, spend time dissecting the elements together. 

Learn More: Comprehensible Classroom

27. Text-to-Text Connections

Your students are bound to read tons of different stories and texts throughout the school year. This activity will prompt them to recall texts they’ve previously read and make connections with texts that they’re currently reading. They might compare characters, themes, or conflicts that appeared across texts; tapping into past learning and revising like never before! 

28. Flash Fiction

Flash fiction is a strategy that tasks your students with telling a story with not too much detail, but just enough to keep their classmates engaged. These micro-stories will have maximum impact as they display their ability to explore themes and character development in a shortened version of the plot! 

29. Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers are such a great tool that we find teachers using them across all subject areas! Here’s a plethora of options to incorporate with different reading skills. From Venn diagrams to 5-finger summaries- there’s something that each and every one of your students can use when dissecting their next fiction and nonfiction books!   

Learn More: First Grade Blue Skies

30. Newspaper Reporting

Newspaper reporting is a fun activity that allows your students to act as investigative journalists! Assign your students the task of crafting newspaper reports about significant events from a text. This real-world task will hone their summarizing skills, sharpen their focus on key points, and elucidate their importance. 

31. Book Club Discussions

Why not start a book club in your classroom? Divide your students into small groups for book club-like discussions. Here, they can swap interpretations, address lingering questions, and delve deeper into the text’s mysteries. 

Learn More: ThoughtCo

These are just a few of the best ways to make reading more accessible for your learners. The majority of these activities can be expanded upon to meet the specific needs of your readers, whether that be sequencing events or providing a detailed analysis of character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are comprehension activities.

Comprehension activities are activities or games that can be used to help your students to demonstrate what they know about a text. This usually covers but is not limited to, setting, plot, and character. Comprehension activities can be expanded to include other ideas too, like the meaning of the text, and can go beyond the details included within the text, such as in terms of contextual information surrounding the creation of the book.

What is the best way to teach comprehension?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive “best” way to teach comprehension to your kids, as each student is different and will respond to different activities. However, one thing that will definitely work is to make comprehension an enjoyable process. Try using the activities above to help with this and avoid simply completing tests or quizzes, as these will not make your student engaged.

How can I improve my comprehension?

Try to go beyond simple ideas of comprehension. Your basic comprehension of a text should include the key events (or plot), the setting (where and when the story happens), and characters (the people or things that the text is about). You should try to expand beyond this by thinking about the meaning of the text. What message was the writer trying to put across? Reading comprehension goes beyond the words on the page – you need to think about the writer’s craft, too.

What are the 3 main types of reading strategies?

The key reading strategies that you will likely encounter are scanning, skimming, and detailed reading. Scanning involves looking for specific information in a text, such as a keyword or detail. Skimming is slightly more in-depth as it is about understanding the main idea of a text by reading small chunks of the passage. Detailed reading is the slowest reading process but is the one that can help you get the most information from a text. Using this last strategy, your kids will understand approximately 80% of the text. Even so, each of these strategies is vital for teaching your students how to read effectively for information.

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When students have difficulty comprehending what they’re reading, not only could they have trouble in nearly every subject in school, but they miss out on the joy of exploring new worlds, traveling back in time, and solving mysteries alongside their peers.  High-interest stories sometimes are motivating enough to read , yet some students continue to struggle when it comes to reading.

And the stats, unfortunately, show that reading scores could still use a boost. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)  compared 2013 national reading scores with scores from 2015. The NAEP found that there was not a significant change at the 4th-grade level, and the average national reading score was 2 points lower at the 8th-grade level. Clearly, we’ve got work to do and kudos to you for hunting down resources to assist your students!

Here are 11 free websites we think you’ll find useful for reading comprehension.

EnglishMaven

This site, which is suitable for grades K-12, offers numerous reading comprehension exercises that are unique, colorful, and interactive. Exercises include:

• Informational passages : These passages provide engaging information to students with a wide range of topics. They help students learn about intriguing subjects while expanding their vocabulary and improving their comprehension skills.
• Short stories : Students read a short story and answer questions about the story’s details. Each of the available exercises contains vocabulary and reading comprehension questions.

EnglishForEveryone.org

Materials on this site were created by a team of award-winning teachers, professional writers, and published authors. There are numerous engaging reading comprehension exercises for beginner, intermediate, and advanced readers—exercises that help them learn:

• Logical inference
• Conclusion-making
• Sequential analysis
• Deductive reasoning
• Tonal awareness
• Understanding of scope

They also offer critical reading comprehension worksheets that teach students how to think and read critically. Students read a passage and are then tested on what they read, vocabulary words, inferences, and more.

ReadTheory.org

The sister site to EnglishForEveryone.org, ReadTheory features a ton of online quizzes. The game-like format of these interactive quizzes is designed to motivate students to work hard to “win” specific reading accomplishments. Exercises are tailored for students who are reading at the high school level or beyond, and help prepare older students for standardized tests, including the SAT and the ACT. According to the site, 7.4 million students have completed 130 million quizzes on ReadTheory to date.

ReadWorks is a nonprofit that aims to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement. It houses hundreds of curated nonfiction and literary articles, along with reading comprehension quizzes and vocabulary lessons. The best part? It uses the most up-to-date research on literacy to inform its content.

This website pairs passages from classic books, like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Around the World in 80 Days , with different reading exercises and activities that ask students to answer questions about the text. Not only does this introduce classic literature to all students, but it breaks them down in a way that helps them better understand the material. You’ll find a range of authors, poems, genres, and more—making it an ideal resource for all students.

East of the Web

Designed for K-8 students, this site offers hundreds of stories your students can read online, and many of these include reading comprehension worksheets you can print and use in class.

UsingEnglish.com

This website is especially useful for students whose native language is not English. There are hundreds of reading activities—including vocabulary quizzes, reading comprehension activities, and grammar lessons—to help your students master the English language. But although this website is geared toward ESOL students, it’s also helpful for any student who struggles with grammar, sentence structure, and more. You’ll find lesson plans, quizzes, and exam preparation to help shape your curriculum and, if you register, you’re granted even more access to other free materials.

Super Teacher Worksheets

This website is great for early childhood educators looking to find reading comprehension exercises in a variety of genres. Super Teacher Worksheets offers reading comprehension exercises for students from 1st grade through middle school, and the content categories include biographies, fiction, nonfiction, poems, and more. It also offers some free reading comprehension exercises, but you’re able to access more by purchasing a membership ($19.95 a year).

RHL School Reading Comprehension

Looking for different types of stories and activities? This website has both. It includes reading comprehension exercises for poems, original stories, articles, and essays and also includes activities tailored to specific skills, like helping students learn antonyms, synonyms, and more. The site is best suited for students in 4th through 8th grade.

Education.com

Here, you’ll find over 2,000 downloadable reading assets that will absolutely help your students with reading comprehension. Filter search results by type (worksheets, games, activities, lesson plans, stories), by grade, and even by holidays and seasons. And again, no price to pay unless you want to join their premium membership, which gives you access to more features like a DIY worksheet generator and a progress tracker.

ReadWriteThink

This website, supported by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the International Literacy Association (ILA) , is filled with high-quality practices in reading and language arts. Classroom resources include lesson plans with differentiation, online interactives, a mobile app for devices, scholastic calendar-based activities, and printouts. Teachers can also find strategy guides and upcoming professional development events. The media library also contains a collection of videos showing literacy in action, each under ten minutes long.

Addressing different types of literacy struggles

Although these online resources create more opportunities for students to improve their literacy skills, it’s important for us as teachers to recognize the difference between reading difficulties and disabilities . As you may know, there are learning disabilities directly related to literacy, which can create stressful situations for struggling students in a traditional classroom setting. Using online resources provides another means of literary representation and expression.

You may also like to read

• Speed Reading Techniques to Improve Online Learning
• 4 Examples of K-5 Reading Comprehension Sheets
• 4 Sample Reading Comprehension Passages for Middle School
• 4 Free Interactive eBooks for First Grade Reading Groups
• Where to Find Free Online Textbooks
• 5 Web Resources for Free Online College Course Lectures

Categorized as: Tips for Teachers and Classroom Resources

Tagged as: Adolescent Literacy ,  English Language Development ,  ESOL ,  Language Arts ,  Literacy ,  MEd ,  Reading Interventionist

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8 Interesting Reading Games For Adults

Are you a book enthusiast looking to switch up your reading routine and add some excitement to your literary adventures? Look no further, because we’ve got some reading games that will do just that! Reading games are not just for kids or to improve reading fluency – they can be a fun and engaging way for adults to challenge their vocabulary, improve their comprehension, and explore new literary worlds in a unique way.

So if you’re feeling bored with your reading routine or just looking for a new way to engage with your favorite books, try out some of these fun and quirky reading games and take your love of literature to the next level!

 Fun and challenging reading games for book lovers

Reading is not only an enjoyable pastime but also an important activity for maintaining cognitive function. To spice up your reading routine, try these 8 engaging and creative games that will challenge your comprehension, creativity, and memory. Whether you’re looking for solo activities or games to play with friends, these reading games for adults are sure to entertain and inspire your love of books.

1. Literary Pictionary

Literary Pictionary is a fun game that challenges players to guess the book from a drawing of a scene or character. To play, each player takes a turn drawing a picture related to a specific book. The picture should be of a memorable scene or character from the book or a distinct visual element that is closely associated with the book.

The other players then have to guess the book from the drawing within a set time limit. The player who correctly guesses the book earns a point, and the game continues with the next player taking a turn to draw a scene or character from a different book. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner. This is a great activity for book clubs, classrooms, or for a fun family game night, and can also serve as improving reading comprehension activities .

2. Storytelling Telephone

Get ready for some hilariously creative storytelling with the classic game of Storytelling Telephone! Gather a group of friends or family members and choose a book to start with. The first person reads a few pages and then passes the book to the next person, who continues the story based on what they’ve just read.

 Each person adds their own twists and turns to the plot, and before you know it, the story has taken on a life of its own. Keep passing the book around until everyone has had a turn, and then sit back and listen to the hilarious and unexpected ways the story has evolved. It’s a fun and engaging way to exercise your imagination and storytelling skills, all while enjoying a good book with friends and improving your reading skills the same time putting to work cloze reading, and enjoying its benefits . 

3. Character Charades

In Character Charades, you get to channel your inner actor and bring beloved book characters to life. To start, write down the names of popular characters on slips of paper and place them in a bowl. One person selects a slip of paper and then has to act out the character without speaking. 

The other players have to guess who the character is within a set time limit. To make it more challenging, you can add in specific scenes or quotes from the book for the actor to act out. Rotate turns so everyone gets a chance to act out a character, and keep the game going for as long as you like. Get ready to laugh and have fun as you channel your favorite book characters in this exciting game of Character Charades!

4. Speed Reading Challenge

The Speed Reading Challenge is a thrilling activity for bookworms who want to push their reading skills to the limit. Start by choosing a book that you are eager to read and set a timer for a designated amount of time. It could be 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or any length of time you prefer. 

Once the timer starts, read as many pages as you can without sacrificing comprehension. Challenge yourself to read faster than your usual pace, or compete with a friend to see who can read more pages in the given time. At the end of the challenge, compare your results and celebrate your progress. This activity not only helps you read faster but also helps you to focus and retain more information.

5. Book Club Bingo

Book Club Bingo is a fun and interactive way to spice up your reading routine. First, create a bingo board with different book genres or themes such as romance, mystery, or biographies in each square. Next, challenge yourself or your friends to read books that fit into each category. 

Once you finish a book, mark off the corresponding square on your board. The goal is to fill an entire line or the entire board as quickly as possible. To make it more exciting, you can even offer a prize for the first person to complete their bingo board. Book Club Bingo is a great way to motivate yourself to read a diverse range of books and have fun while doing it!

6. Book-in-a-Box Activity

This activity is perfect for those who enjoy a little bit of crafting and creativity alongside their reading. The idea is to create a small box that represents the book you have read, including elements from the story or the characters. 

Here’s how to do the activity.  Choose a book that you have read or are currently reading.

Gather materials such as a small cardboard box, colored paper, markers, glue, scissors, and any other craft supplies you might need. Create a design plan for your book-in-a-box. Think about the characters, setting, and key themes from the book and how you can represent them in the box. 

Start by covering the box with colored paper or painting it to match the design plan. Cut out pictures or images from magazines or print them off the internet to glue onto the box. You can also draw or paint your own images. Assemble the box, making sure to include any small objects that represent key elements from the book. Once your box is complete, share it with your friends or book club members. Have everyone share their boxes and explain the elements they included and why. This activity is not only a fun way to engage with a book, but also a creative way to express your own interpretation of the story, hence, a great retelling activity. 

7. The Last Word

The Last Word is a creative and engaging game for book lovers. Start by choosing a book and take turns coming up with a sentence that could be the last line of the story. The sentence should be open-ended and create a sense of intrigue, suspense, or resolution. 

The next person continues the story by adding a sentence that builds upon the last one. Keep going until someone creates an ending that feels like a satisfying or surprising conclusion to the story. This game is a fun way to explore different possibilities for the ending of a book and to exercise your creativity and imagination. Whether you’re playing with friends or family, it’s sure to spark lively conversation and inspire new ideas.

8. Book Title Mashup

Book lovers, get ready to put your creativity and wit to the test with the hilarious and mind-bending game of Book Title Mashup! In this game, players take turns combining two book titles to create a brand-new, wacky title that will have everyone in stitches. For example, how about “Fifty Shades of Green Eggs and Ham,” or “The Cat in the Rye?!”

To play, gather a group of book-loving friends or family members and provide each player with a pen and paper. Then, take turns giving two book titles that each player must combine to form a new title. Players can be as silly and imaginative as they like – the more ridiculous the better!

Once everyone has created their book mashup, take turns guessing which two books were combined to create the new title. The player with the most correct guesses at the end of the game wins the title of Book Title Mashup Champion!

Get ready for a hilarious and unforgettable evening of literary fun with Book Title Mashup. It’s the perfect game for book lovers who love to laugh and get creative!

As many reading quotes state that not just reading but reading games can also be a fun and engaging way to bring a group of people together and encourage a love for literature. Whether it’s a literary version of Pictionary, a round of book club bingo, or a fast-paced speed reading challenge, there are a variety of games that can be enjoyed by adults of all ages and reading levels.

These games not only foster creativity and critical thinking but can also spark meaningful conversations and deepen our appreciation for the written word. So next time you gather with friends or family, consider incorporating one of these reading games into your activity and see how it enhances your shared experience. Happy reading

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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