Reading: Understanding Text Structure, Cohesion & Coherence (Advanced): B2 Lesson 2: Understanding Complex Cohesive Devices and Reference Systems

Reading: Understanding Text Structure

B2 Lesson 2: Complex Cohesive Devices and Reference Systems

Listen to the reading passage.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to recognize and interpret complex cohesive devices (e.g., nevertheless, consequently) and reference systems (e.g., this, the former, ellipsis) to understand the logical flow of a text.

Before You Read 🧠

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

Let's learn the key terms for this lesson. These are the "tools" we will look for.

Cohesion (Cohesive Device)

| ភាពស្អិតរមួត (ឧបករណ៍เชื่อมโยง)

The "glue" words that link sentences and ideas together (e.g., however, as a result).

Reference (Referencing)

| ការយោង (ប្រព័ន្ធយោង)

Using words (like it, this, the former) to point to other words, avoiding repetition.

Ellipsis (Ellipsis)

| ការលុបពាក្យ (Ellipsis)

Leaving out words because the meaning is already clear from the context.

Reading Passage

Read the following text. Pay attention to the words in bold. They are the "glue" that holds the text together.

Urban migration has accelerated globally. This trend presents significant challenges for city planners. For instance, housing becomes scarce and public services, such as transport and sanitation, are often severely strained. Planners argue that "smart city" solutions are the only answer; however, implementing such solutions is complex and costly.

Two main barriers exist: funding and public acceptance. The former requires massive government investment, while the latter demands a shift in public mindset. Many citizens support the idea of a "smarter" city, but few are willing to accept the necessary tax increases or data privacy compromises. Consequently, most cities are stuck in a cycle of patching old systems instead of building new ones.

Analyzing the Text: Cohesive Devices (The "Signposts")

Cohesive devices are like signposts on a road. They tell the reader where the argument is going (e.g., turning, stopping, continuing).

Contrast / Concession

Used to show an opposite idea.

• "However, implementing such solutions..."
• "While many support the idea..."
• Others: nevertheless, in spite of, on the other hand

Cause / Result

Used to show the result of an action.

• "Consequently, most cities are stuck..."
• Others: as a result, therefore, thus

Example / Clarification

Used to give an example.

• "For instance, housing becomes scarce..."
• Others: namely, for example, in other words

Analyzing the Text: Reference Systems (The "Shortcuts")

Referencing helps us avoid repeating the same words. The key is to know what the "shortcut" word is pointing to.

"Urban migration has accelerated globally. This trend presents significant challenges..."

This trend (Anaphoric Reference) refers back to the entire previous idea: "Urban migration accelerating globally."

"...implementing such solutions is complex and costly."

Such solutions (Lexical Reference) refers back to: "'smart city' solutions."

"Two main barriers exist: funding and public acceptance. The former requires... the latter demands..."

The former refers to the first item in the list: "funding." The latter refers to the last item in the list: "public acceptance."

"...patching old systems instead of building new ones."

ones (Substitution) is used to replace the noun: "systems." (i.e., "building new systems.")

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: Check Your Understanding

Read the sentences and choose the best answer.

1. "The company's profits fell 50%. ________, they had to close two factories."

Which cohesive device best shows a result?

• A) However
• B) For instance
• C) Consequently

---

"The report mentioned two key problems: lack of funding and poor management. The latter was seen as the most critical."

What does "The latter" refer to?

• A) The report
• B) Poor management
• C) Lack of funding

---

"Do you think he'll finish the project on time?"
"I'd like to think so."

What does "so" substitute (replace)?

• A) (That) he'll finish the project on time
• B) The project
• C) On time

Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)

• Migration (Noun) | ការធ្វើចំណាកស្រុក
  Movement of people from one place to another.
• To Accelerate (Verb) | បង្កើនល្បឿន
  To begin to move more quickly.
• Scarce (Adjective) | កម្រ / ខ្វះខាត
  Not enough for the demand; difficult to find.
• Strained (Adjective) | តានតឹង
  Showing signs of nervous tension or pressure; stretched to its limit.
• To Implement (Verb) | អនុវត្ត
  To put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.
• The former / The latter (Noun) | ទីមួយ / ទីពីរ
  Used to refer to the first (former) or second (latter) of two things just mentioned.

Your Reading Mission ⭐

Become a "Text Detective"

1. Find one English-language opinion or news article (e.g., from BBC, The Guardian, Khmer Times English).
2. Read one paragraph and find:
   • Two (2) Cohesive Devices (like However, Thus, Moreover).
   • Three (3) Reference Words (like it, this, they, the former).
3. For each word you find, draw an arrow to the word or idea it connects to, just like in the "Analyzing the Text" section.