LexyReadCNA reading examples

Free educator activity

Reading comprehension practice for adult learners

Three original questions to help students recognize when a report, a condition, or an exception changes a sentence. Designed for a brief adult-education or CNA classroom literacy activity.

A simple 10-minute lesson

  1. First two minutes: Ask learners to read each sentence and underline the words that could change the answer.
  2. Next five minutes: Have students choose an answer without looking at the explanation. Discuss which words in the source support it.
  3. Last three minutes: Change “states,” “only after,” or “unless” and ask what becomes different. Invite another attempt with fresh wording.

There is no score or diagnostic claim. Learners can revise their answers after inspecting the source. This resource supports reading comprehension, not clinical decision-making or a formal CNA competency assessment.

Ready-to-use practice

Three small words that change meaning

Read each source first. Choose what it actually supports before opening the explanation. One answer does not define what you know.

  1. 1. Reported vs. observed

    Read: “The resident states that her leg hurts when she stands.”

    Question: Which reading stays closest to the note?

    1. The resident has a confirmed leg injury.
    2. The resident reports pain when standing.
    3. The staff observed a leg injury.
    Check the answer and the deciding words

    Answer B. The word 'states' identifies a report from the resident. It does not establish an injury or describe what staff observed.

  2. 2. Conditions and timing

    Read: “Participants may enter the training room only after completing orientation.”

    Question: What condition must be satisfied first?

    1. Completing orientation.
    2. Requesting permission to skip orientation.
    3. Arriving before orientation begins.
    Check the answer and the deciding words

    Answer A. The phrase 'only after' makes orientation a condition for entering. The sentence does not offer an exception.

  3. 3. Exceptions

    Read: “The class meets on Thursday unless the building is closed for maintenance.”

    Question: Which reading keeps the exception?

    1. The class meets every Thursday with no exceptions.
    2. Maintenance always takes place on Thursday.
    3. A maintenance closure can prevent the Thursday class.
    Check the answer and the deciding words

    Answer C. The word 'unless' limits the normal Thursday schedule. The source gives a possible exception, not a permanent change.

Try it again: Change one deciding phrase in a sentence and ask how the meaning changes. Use the original words as evidence.

Original literacy examples only. This activity does not give clinical advice or official exam answers.

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Classroom reuse and adaptation of these original example questions are permitted free of charge. Crediting LexyRead is welcome but optional. Linking to this page is never required.

What this activity does and does not teach

Students practice distinguishing reports from observations, prerequisites from permissions, and rules from exceptions. For nursing-assistant classes, the first example is about interpreting a care note's wording; it does not determine patient assessment, interventions, or facility policy.

LexyRead is a reading-comprehension companion. It does not provide accredited courses, continuing education credit, certification, reading-speed scores, or clinical advice.

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