Reading: Understanding Different Text Types & Genres: B1 Lesson 2: Understanding Instructions, Recipes, and Product Descriptions

Reading: Understanding Different Text Types

B1 Lesson 2: Instructions, Recipes, and Product Descriptions

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify the key features of instructions, recipes, and product descriptions.

Before You Read 🧠

Key Vocabulary

Knowing these words will help you identify different types of texts.

Instructions

Steps that explain how to do or use something.

Recipe

A special type of instruction for cooking a dish.

Product Description

A text that describes a product to persuade you to buy it.

Ingredients

The food items needed to make a dish.

Identifying Practical Texts

We read these types of texts to perform a task. Let's learn how to recognize their unique features.

1. The Recipe 🍳

Purpose: To tell you how to prepare and cook a specific dish.
Key Features: A title, a list of ingredients, and a 'Method' section with numbered steps.

Example:

Kampot Mango Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe mango, chopped
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Method:

1. Place all ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend on high speed until smooth.

2. Instructions 📱

Purpose: To explain the steps for assembling or using something correctly.
Key Features: Numbered steps, command verbs (e.g., Find, Insert), and often diagrams.

Example:

Quick Setup: New Phone SIM Card

1. Power off your phone completely.
2. Find the SIM card tray on the side of the phone.
3. Insert the pin to open the tray.
4. Place the SIM card and push the tray back in.

3. The Product Description 🛒

Purpose: To give information about a product and persuade you to buy it.
Key Features: Product name, persuasive adjectives (e.g., lightweight, powerful), and a list of key features.

Example:

Go-Charge 10,000 Power Bank

Never run out of battery again! This lightweight and portable power bank is the perfect travel companion.

Features:

• High-capacity 10,000mAh battery
• Fast-charging technology

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: What Text Type Is It?

1. Read this text: "This new Bluetooth speaker has a waterproof design, a 12-hour battery life, and powerful bass. It is perfect for parties."

This is an example of a: (Recipe / Product Description / Story)

2. Read this text: "You will need: 2 eggs, fish sauce, and pepper. First, crack the eggs into a bowl. Next, add a small spoon of fish sauce. Then, whisk everything together."

This is an example of a: (Recipe / Instructions for a camera / Product Description)

Key Vocabulary Reference

• Instructions (Noun) | ការណែនាំ
  A set of steps that explains how to do or use something correctly.
• Recipe (Noun) | រូបមន្តធ្វើម្ហូប
  A special type of instruction that tells you how to cook a specific dish.
• Product Description (Noun) | ការពិពណ៌នាអំពីផលិតផល
  A text that describes a product's features to inform and persuade customers.
• Ingredients (Noun) | គ្រឿងផ្សំ
  The food items that you need to make a particular dish.
• Features (Noun) | លក្ខណៈពិសេស
  Important parts or special qualities of a product.

Your Reading Mission ⭐

Real-World Text Hunt!

Find one example in English of either a Recipe or a set of Instructions for a product. You can find a simple recipe online, or look at the instruction manual for your phone.

1. What is your text? (A recipe or instructions?)
2. Write down two key features that helped you identify it (e.g., "I saw a list of ingredients," or "I saw numbered steps.")