1.1 Reading Skills

Cambridge O Level English Language (1123)

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  1. Show that you understand written texts, and the meaning of words and phrases within them
  2. Summarise information and use it for a specific purpose
  3. Develop, analyse, and evaluate facts, ideas, and opinions
  4. Show understanding of how writers create effects and influence readers
  5. Select the right information for specific purposes
  6. Recognise and respond to linguistic devices, figurative language, and imagery

Main Content

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Part 1: Why We Read — Types of Texts

Reading is something we do every single day, often without even thinking about it. From checking a timetable to scrolling through a website, the written word surrounds us constantly.

In your O Level exam, you will be given different types of texts to read and respond to. It is important to understand what kind of text you are reading, because each type has a different purpose and style.

The Four Main Types of Texts

1. Factual Texts These texts exist purely to give you information or instructions. Examples include:

  • Instruction manuals (e.g. how to set up a phone)
  • Timetables
  • Posters and advertisements about events

When reading factual texts, your main job is to pick out the key facts and important points.

2. Non-Fiction Descriptive Texts These are texts about real people, real places, or real events. They are true, but they also describe things in some detail. Examples include:

  • Biographies (the story of someone's life)
  • Guidebooks
  • History books and school textbooks
  • Travel writing

3. Media Texts A media text is anything published through a non-book medium — such as a newspaper, magazine, or website. Media texts can contain any type of writing, but they very often try to persuade (convince) the reader to agree with a particular point of view. Examples include:

  • Newspaper articles and opinion columns
  • Advertisements
  • Websites promoting a belief or product

A key feature of media texts is that they often include graphic materials — photographs, diagrams, charts — not just to illustrate a point, but to make their message feel more convincing and believable.

4. Literary Texts These are texts written mainly to entertain and engage (interest) the reader. Examples include:

  • Novels and short stories
  • Poetry
  • Drama (plays)
  • Autobiography and travel writing (literary non-fiction)

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