This engaging Year 4 reading comprehension unit develops key KS2 reading skills through an original non-fiction text inspired by the popular BBC programme Gladiators. Designed to save teacher planning time, this pack provides three fully planned lessons with high-quality reading passages, structured questions and answer sheets — all carefully differentiated to support and challenge every learner. Skills Covered Retrieval – finding and recording information (NC 2b) Inference – drawing conclusions using evidence (NC 2d) Vocabulary in Context – understanding word meaning in the text (NC 2a, 2g) What’s Included ✔ 3 Complete Lessons ✔ Original non-fiction reading texts ✔ Differentiated passages (Low / Middle / High ability) ✔ Differentiated question sheets for every lesson ✔ Full answer sheets ✔ Teacher guidance & curriculum links ✔ Support and extension suggestions Lesson Overview Lesson 1 – Retrieval What is Gladiators? Lesson 2 – Inference Training Day: Preparing for the Arena Lesson 3 – Vocabulary in Context Inside the Events: Power, Speed and Endurance Perfect For Whole-class English lessons Guided reading sessions SATs preparation Intervention groups Cover lessons and homework Differentiation Included Each lesson contains: Low ability: simplified text, scaffolding, sentence starters Middle ability: full text, structured comprehension High ability: extended text, deeper reasoning, challenge questions National Curriculum Links Supports KS2 objectives for: Retrieving and recording information (2b) Making inferences and justifying with evidence (2d) Explaining vocabulary in context (2a, 2g) Summarising ideas (2c) Predicting from stated and implied details (2e)