Welcome to Your Guide on Reading Everyday English!

In our daily lives, English is all around us—not just in books, but on cereal boxes, medicine bottles, school bulletin boards, and YouTube ads. In this chapter, we will learn how to read Instructions, Notices, and Advertisements. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to find the information you need quickly and accurately!

Don't worry if these texts look long or difficult at first. We are going to break them down into simple pieces using the 5 Ws and 1 H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How).

1. Instructions (คำแนะนำและคำชี้แจง)

Instructions tell us how to do something. You can find them in recipes, craft projects, or on the back of a medicine bottle. They usually use "command" words (Imperatives) and sequence words to show the order of steps.

Key Features of Instructions:

  • Sequence Words: These help you follow the steps in the right order.
    Example: First, Second, Third, Next, Then, and Finally.
  • Imperative Verbs: Action words that give an order.
    Example: Mix the flour, Take two tablets, Turn left.
  • Specific Details: Numbers and amounts (like 200ml or twice a day).

Example: Medicine Label

"Take two tablets every six hours after meals. Do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours."

Quick Tip: When reading instructions for medicine or equipment, always look for numbers first—they usually tell you "how much" or "how many times."

Key Takeaway: Instructions use a step-by-step order. Always look for sequence words to know which step comes next!

2. Notices (ประกาศ)

Notices are short messages used to give information to a group of people, like students in a school or people in a neighborhood. You will often see them on notice boards or posters.

What to look for in a Notice:

When you read a notice, try to answer these questions:

  • Who is the notice for? (Students? Teachers? Parents?)
  • What is happening? (A meeting? A holiday? A lost item?)
  • Where is it happening? (In the canteen? At the school gate?)
  • When is it happening? (Check the date and time!)

Common Examples:

  • "School will be closed this Friday for Teacher's Day."
  • "Lost: A blue pencil case. Please return to the library."

Did you know? Notices are usually very short because they want to grab your attention quickly. They often use bold text or Capital Letters for the most important parts.

Key Takeaway: A notice tells you Who, What, Where, and When. Scan the text for dates and locations first.

3. Advertisements (โฆษณา)

Advertisements (or "ads") are created to persuade you to buy a product or use a service. They can be about food, clothes, travel, or movies. In your exam, you will need to find specific details about the product being sold.

Parts of an Advertisement:

1. The Headline: A catchy phrase to get your interest. (Example: "The Best Pizza in Town!")

2. The Offer: What are they selling? Look for descriptions of the product.

3. The Price: Look for the \(\$\) sign or the word "Free" or "Discount."

4. Contact Information: How do you buy it? Look for a phone number, website, or address.

Comparing Ads:

Sometimes you might see two ads and have to choose which one is better. Look for adjectives like cheaper, faster, or better to help you compare.

Key Takeaway: Advertisements want to sell you something. Focus on the Price and the Features of the product.

4. Reading Strategies: How to Find Answers Fast

When you have a reading test about these topics, follow these steps:

Step 1: Scan for the Topic (หัวข้อเรื่อง)

Look at the biggest text or the title. What is this about? Is it a recipe? A school announcement? A sale?

Step 2: Find the Main Idea (ใจความสำคัญ)

What is the most important thing the writer wants you to know? For a notice, it's usually the event. For an ad, it's the product.

Step 3: Look for Supporting Details (รายละเอียดสนับสนุน)

These are the small facts like "50\% off", "Monday at 10 AM", or "Mix for 5 minutes."

Step 4: Use a Dictionary (การใช้พจนานุกรม)

If you see a word you don't know, look at the words around it first. If you still don't understand, use your dictionary to look up the keyword. (Note: For more on this, see the chapter "Vocabulary in context and dictionary use").

Quick Review Box

Instructions: Look for sequence words (First, Next, Finally).
Notices: Find the 5 Ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why).
Advertisements: Look for the price, the product, and contact info.
Common Mistake: Don't just read the first line! Sometimes the most important information (like a "Warning" or "Extra Fee") is at the very bottom.

Keep practicing! The more labels, posters, and ads you read in English, the easier it becomes to find the information you need.