The first book in a three-volume skills programme which aims to develop students' essential literacy skills at Key Stage 3. Divided into four genre-based sections - Non-fiction and Media, Drama, Fiction, and Poetry - the book comprises 11 units, each offering * two focus texts, drawn from contemporary and pre-1914 sources * activities on grammar and language, comprehension, speaking and listening, text comparison, and extended writing * clear explanations of grammar terms and 'Word Banks' to gloss unusual or challenging vocabulary. The accompanying answer book provides photocopiable answer sheets for the language, comprehension and comparison questions; while the website www oup.co.uk/oxliteracyskills features free downloadable writing frames to support students' work on the units.