Ariadne’s Thread → Reading comprehension → Vocational school

What this corridor works on → Reading comprehension: finding information, finding the structure of an argument, checking a source (levels A2 to B1+). See the official requirements

My pace → You can stop whenever you want: your answers are saved on this device.

CE4

A newspaper article

Press

The Yorkshire CourierMonday 15 March 2027

Education

Should school start later? Leeds students say yes

A group of sixth-form students has launched a petition asking for lessons to begin at 9.30 instead of 8.45.

By Tom Avery

Their argument is backed by sleep experts, who say that teenagers’ body clocks naturally shift later. “We’re not lazy, we’re biologically out of sync,” says 17-year-old Priya Shah.

The head teacher, however, warns that a later start would mean finishing later, which could clash with part-time jobs and bus timetables. A decision is expected in spring.

Fictional article written for this exercise (newspaper style).

What are the students asking for?

More holidays. Lessons starting at 9:30 am. Free buses.

What is their argument based on?

The opinion of sleep experts. A law. A survey of parents.

What objection does the head teacher make?

The experts are wrong. The students are lazy. Finishing later would cause problems for part-time jobs and buses.

Situation 1 of 3

CE5

A picture going around online

Social media

UMUrban Myths Daily@UrbanMythsDaily · 1 h

This shark was spotted swimming on a flooded motorway after the storm!! 😱 #storm

Photo: a shark fin in a flooded street

120K↻ 58K9K

RReverseSearchPro ✓ This image has been edited. The shark was added to a photo of a real flood. A reverse image search finds the original shark picture in an old nature article.
Ssam_k OMG share this!!
NNewsDesk Courier ✓ No sharks reported. Please check official flood updates.

Fictional post written for this exercise.

Which tool showed that the picture was fake?

The hashtag. A reverse image search. The number of shares.

Why is this post shared so much?

It quotes sources. It creates a strong emotion (fear, surprise). It comes from a newspaper.

“Please check official flood updates” means…

Leave the town. Read the official news about the floods. Share photos of the flood.

Situation 2 of 3

CE6

An email from the placement company

Work situation

From : Megan Ward, Harbour HotelTo : Léa MartinSubject : Your placement

Hi Léa, welcome to the team at Harbour Hotel, Bristol! Your placement starts on Monday 3 May at 7 am (breakfast shift).

Please bring your passport and your placement agreement signed by your school. Black trousers and black shoes are required; we will give you two shirts. Staff meals are free.

If you have any dietary requirements, let me know before Friday.

Fictional message written for this exercise.

What must Léa bring?

Her passport and her signed placement agreement. A meal. Two shirts.

What does the hotel provide?

Two shirts and staff meals. The plane ticket. Trousers and shoes.

In which case must Léa write before Friday?

If she has special dietary needs. To confirm her arrival. To book a room.

Situation 3 of 3

The documents and questions were written for this website. The articles, posts, emails and scripts are fictional; the people mentioned do not exist.