Reading: Understanding Different Text Types & Genres (Basic): A2 Lesson 1: Reading Simple Stories, Postcards, Short Emails, Signs, and Menus

Reading: Understanding Different Text Types & Genres (Basic)

A2 Lesson 1: Reading Simple Stories, Postcards, Short Emails, Signs, and Menus

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Different Texts for Different Reasons

In the real world, we read many different kinds of texts. We don't read a fun story² the same way we read a sign⁵ on the road.

Today, we will learn how to quickly recognize five common Text Types¹ by looking for special clues. This helps us know *why* we are reading and *how* to read it.

Part 1: The Sign

warning

Clues: Very few words, big letters, often gives a command or warning.

How to Read It: Read quickly! Scan for the main instruction.

WET FLOOR

Part 2: The Menu

restaurant_menu

Clues: A list of food and drinks with prices next to them.

How to Read It: Scan the list for something you want to eat or drink, then scan for the price.

Kampot Cafe
- Iced Coffee ..... $1.00
- Tea with Lemon ... $1.00
- Fried Noodles ... $2.00
- Beef Soup ....... $2.50

Part 3: The Postcard

photo_album

Clues: Has a picture on one side, a short friendly message, a greeting (Dear...), and a closing (Love, From...).

How to Read It: Read the friendly message to see what your friend or family member is doing.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Kampot is beautiful! Yesterday we visited a pepper farm. The weather is hot!

Love,
Sophea

Part 4: The Story

auto_stories

Clues: Has characters, a setting, and tells what happened, usually in the past tense.

How to Read It: Read from beginning to end for fun and to understand the events.

One day, a clever little mouse was looking for food. He saw a big piece of cheese on a table, but a large cat was sleeping under it.

Your Turn! What Text Type Is It?

Practice Quiz

Read the short text and identify its type.

Text 1: "Dear students, The class tomorrow will start at 9:00 AM, not 8:00 AM. Please be on time. From, Your Teacher."

What is it? (A short Email or Note)

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Text 2: "- Rice with Pork... $2.00
- Chicken Soup... $2.50"

What is it?

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Answer: A Menu.

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Text 3: "PUSH"

What is it?

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Answer: A Sign.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Text Type / Genre (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ប្រភេទអត្ថបទ (Prɔphet at-tha-bot)
   The category of a piece of writing based on its style and purpose. ↩ back to text
2. Story (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: រឿង (Reuang)
   A text that tells about characters and events, created to entertain or inform. ↩ back to text
3. Postcard (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ប័ណ្ណប្រៃសណីយ៍ (Ban Prai-sa-nii)
   A card with a picture, used for sending a short message through the mail. ↩ back to text
4. Menu (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: បញ្ជីមុខម្ហូប (Banh-chee muk-m'houp)
   A list of food and drinks with prices, found at a cafe or restaurant. ↩ back to text
5. Sign (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ស្លាកសញ្ញា (Slak sanh-nha)
   A public notice with words or pictures that gives a quick instruction or information. ↩ back to text

Homework Task

Go on a Text Hunt!

Look around your town, school, or home this week. Find three different types of texts in English.

For example, you could find:

• A menu from a coffee shop.
• A sign on a door (e.g., "OPEN" or "PULL").
• A short story in a book.

Write down what you found, or take a picture to show your teacher!