Reading: Understanding Text Types
B1 Lesson 1: News, Reviews, Blogs & More
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary
Knowing these words will help you understand the different text types.
Identifying Common Text Types
We don't read every text in the same way. Identifying the genre helps you know what to expect.
Purpose: To inform the public about a recent, factual event.
Clues: Headline, date, location, and a neutral tone. It answers Who, What, Where, When, Why.
KAMPOT – Sept 4, 2025
The provincial government announced yesterday that construction on a new bridge over the Praek Tuek Chhu river will begin this August...
Purpose: To share an opinion and persuade others.
Clues: A product/service title, a rating (e.g., ★★★★☆), and opinion words.
A wonderful place to stay! The rooms were very clean and the view of the river was amazing. However, the WiFi was a bit slow. Overall, I would definitely recommend it.
Purpose: To share personal experiences in a conversational style.
Clues: A catchy title, an author's name, a date, and an informal tone (uses "I" and "you").
By Chenda Lin - Published on Sept 2, 2025
If you're like me, you can't start your day without a good coffee. I've spent the last year exploring Kampot's cafe scene, and I want to share my personal favorites with you...
Purpose: To communicate informally with a specific person you know.
Clues: A `Subject` line, an informal greeting, and a closing.
Subject: Dinner on Saturday?
Hi Rithy,
Are you free this Saturday evening? A few of us are planning to get some seafood by the river. Would you like to join?
Let me know!
- Sophea
Purpose: To entertain and provide reading practice with level-appropriate language.
Clues: Characters, a setting, a plot (a series of events), and usually told in the past tense.
Once upon a time, in a small village on the banks of a great river, there lived a young woman named Kagna. She was known throughout her village for her kindness and her clever mind.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Identify the Genre
1. Read the text below. What type is it?
"★★☆☆☆ - Disappointing. The portion of food was very small for the price, and it was not very warm when it arrived. I will not be ordering from here again."
This is an example of a: (Blog Post / Review / News Article)
2. What about this one?
"Provincial authorities have advised residents to be cautious of rising water levels this week due to heavy rains upstream..."
This is most likely from a: (Personal Email / Graded Reader / News Article)
3. And this last one?
"Hey Sam, Just a quick message to see if you are free tomorrow afternoon. I was thinking we could go to the cinema. Let me know! Cheers, Dara"
This is an example of a: (Personal Email / Blog Post / Review)
Key Vocabulary Reference
- Genre A style or category of writing, such as a story, news report, or review.
- Graded Reader A story book where the vocabulary and grammar are simplified for language learners.
- News Article A text that reports factual information about a recent event.
- Blog Post An article on a website, usually written in a personal, informal style.
- Review A text giving an opinion about a product, service, or creative work.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Real-World Text Hunt!
Find two different types of English texts this week. For example, you could find:
- A review of a movie or product online.
- A short news article from a website like VOA Learning English or the Khmer Times.
- A blog post about travel or a hobby.
Be prepared to explain the clues that helped you identify its genre.