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Continuous Writing (Essays)
Quick questions on Descriptive writing explained: O-Level English
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are choose precise words?Show answer
Vague words ("nice", "big", "a lot of stuff", "people were doing things") describe nothing. Precise nouns and strong verbs do the work: not "people walked" but "shoppers wove between the stalls"; not "the building was old" but "the paint peeled in long curls from the window frames". Exact word choice is the single biggest difference between flat and vivid description, and it is rewarded directly in the language mark.
What are vague words?Show answer
"Nice", "big", "a lot of things" describe nothing. Use precise nouns and strong verbs.
What are cliché images?Show answer
"As white as snow", "as quiet as a mouse" add nothing. Reach for a fresh comparison or none at all.
What is no controlling mood?Show answer
Mixing cheerful and gloomy details at random leaves the scene with no atmosphere. Choose one impression and serve it.
What is q1?Show answer
List the five senses a description can appeal to. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why choosing a dominant mood improves a description. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Rewrite "It was a cold morning" so it shows the cold through detail. [2 marks]
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