Adapted Text Example

This page shows an example of a text that was adapted to meet the performance guidelines and Lexile level for an Intermediate-Mid passage. Further suggestions on how to adapt a text for target levels can be found on the previous page: Instructions

Original passage:

First, I analyzed this passage through Lexile and Quantile Tools.The passage had a range above the 1000L level. The Lextutor analysis showed 85.75% of the vocabulary words were in the K1-K2 (1,000-2,000) word list. The roadtogrammar gave a CEFR level of B2, which is equivalent to the intermediate mid-high range in the ACTFL scale.  Textalyser shows a range of different readability index scores. The reading ease was 63.8%.  There was a Coleman Liau index of 10.3. The gunning fog index indicated a score of 11.

First revision:

After analyzing the text through Lextutor, I simplified some sentences and made the clause-to-sentence ratio smaller. I also changed a few of the words that were on the AWL or off-word list that did not seem relevant for students to know or were only used once (as indicated by the number of tokens in the analysis). This text was then analyzed through Lexile and Quantile Tools, giving me a range of 800-1000L. The end result through another Lextutor analysis showed 89% of the words in the K1-K2 word lists.

Final copy:

I replaced some of the most difficult words with synonyms from the Lexile and Quantile Tool’s top ten vocabulary list. I also changed most complex and compound sentences to be simple when possible. The second analysis with this tool gave me a range of 610-800L for the Intermediate-mid range. Another analysis through Lextutor showed 90% of the vocabulary tokens and types used within the K1-K2 word lists. The roadtogrammar gave a CEFR level of B1.Textalyser showed several differences in overall scores. There was a 78% reading ease. Coleman Liau had an index of 9. Gunning Fog had an index of 7.5. Smog had an index of 6.1.The Flesch-Kincaid score was 60.

Example original text:

Low frequency vocabulary, ambiguous language, and complex grammar structure are highlighted:

“Each holiday season comes with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Certainly, major depression or a severe anxiety disorder benefits most from professional help. But what about those who just feel lost or overwhelmed or down at this time of year? Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it's built right into the holiday — being grateful.”

Example modified text: Changes are highlighted

Each holiday season comes with high expectations for a comfortable and happy time of year. However, for many people, this time of year also includes sadness, anxiety, or depression. Of course, major depression or an anxiety problem benefits most from professional help. But what about those who just feel lost or stressed or sad at this time of year? Research suggests that one part of the Thanksgiving holiday can actually make you happier. It's being grateful.

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