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

Reading: Understanding Different Text Types & Genres

B1 Lesson 2: Understanding Instructions, Recipes, and Product Descriptions

---

When Words Paint Pictures

In our daily lives, we often read to learn how to do something or to understand a product we want to buy. These texts have very specific structures and purposes.

Today, we will learn to identify the key features of three important text types: a Recipe², general Instructions¹, and a Product Description³.

Part 1: The Recipe

Purpose: To tell you how to prepare and cook a specific dish.

Key Features: A title, a list of ingredients⁴ with quantities, and a 'Method' section with numbered steps.

Kampot Mango Smoothie

Ingredients:

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

Method:

1. Place all ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend on high speed for 1 minute until smooth.
3. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

Part 2: Instructions

Purpose: To explain the steps for assembling or using something correctly.

Key Features: Numbered steps, command verbs (e.g., Connect, Use, Wait), and often diagrams.

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 small metal pin into the hole to open the tray.
4. Place the SIM card into the tray and push it back into the phone.

Part 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., powerful, easy-to-use), a list of key features⁵, and specifications.

Go-Charge 10,000 Power Bank

Never run out of battery again with the new Go-Charge 10,000! This lightweight and portable power bank is the perfect travel companion.

Features:

• High-capacity 10,000mAh battery
• Dual USB ports to charge two devices at once
• Fast-charging technology

Your Turn! What Text Type Is It?

Practice Quiz

Read the short text and identify its type.

Text 1: "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)

---

Answer: Product Description. It lists the features of a product for sale.

---

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

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

---

Answer: Recipe. It has an "ingredients" list and "method" steps for preparing food.

Vocabulary Glossary

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

Homework Task

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 that came with your phone or another electronic device.

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 a numbered steps with command verbs.")