Chapter#4 Descriptive writing. Using quotations effectively

Chapter#4 Descriptive writing.

Using quotations from descriptive writing effectively

By joseph martin

​When writing about a descriptive text, you need to select quotations (the actual words and phrases used by the writer) and think about how the writer uses them to put ideas across the reader.

​Read the following extract

​The twins gasped.

Above them, at the top of the sparkling stair case that spiraled up into the canopy of the forest, sat an enormous glass sphere, the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. The surface reflected the glittering black sky. It must have been attached to the trees but gave the impression of being magically suspended , as if by a spell.

‘Is that really where the Dark princess lives?’ asked Orphea, but her brother wasn’t listening. He had already stepped onto the staircase in his excitement.

‘Wait for me!’ she called, and raced after him, the two of them climbing up like tiny ants.

​1- Are the following statements true or false?

Multiple Choice

​The twins gasped.

Above them, at the top of the sparkling stair case that spiraled up into the canopy of the forest, sat an enormous glass sphere, the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. The surface reflected the glittering black sky. It must have been attached to the trees but gave the impression of being magically suspended , as if by a spell.

‘Is that really where the Dark princess lives?’ asked Orphea, but her brother wasn’t listening. He had already stepped onto the staircase in his excitement.

‘Wait for me!’ she called, and raced after him, the two of them climbing up like tiny ants.

a)This part of the story takes place in the daytime.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The twins gasped.

Above them, at the top of the sparkling stair case that spiraled up into the canopy of the forest, sat an enormous glass sphere, the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. The surface reflected the glittering black sky. It must have been attached to the trees but gave the impression of being magically suspended , as if by a spell.

‘Is that really where the Dark princess lives?’ asked Orphea, but her brother wasn’t listening. He had already stepped onto the staircase in his excitement.

‘Wait for me!’ she called, and raced after him, the two of them climbing up like tiny ants.

b) The twins are impressed by their first sight of the sphere.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The twins gasped.

Above them, at the top of the sparkling stair case that spiraled up into the canopy of the forest, sat an enormous glass sphere, the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. The surface reflected the glittering black sky. It must have been attached to the trees but gave the impression of being magically suspended , as if by a spell.

‘Is that really where the Dark princess lives?’ asked Orphea, but her brother wasn’t listening. He had already stepped onto the staircase in his excitement.

‘Wait for me!’ she called, and raced after him, the two of them climbing up like tiny ants.

c)The sphere looks small.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The twins gasped.

Above them, at the top of the sparkling stair case that spiraled up into the canopy of the forest, sat an enormous glass sphere, the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. The surface reflected the glittering black sky. It must have been attached to the trees but gave the impression of being magically suspended , as if by a spell.

‘Is that really where the Dark princess lives?’ asked Orphea, but her brother wasn’t listening. He had already stepped onto the staircase in his excitement.

‘Wait for me!’ she called, and raced after him, the two of them climbing up like tiny ants.

d)The staircase is grimy.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The twins gasped.

Above them, at the top of the sparkling stair case that spiraled up into the canopy of the forest, sat an enormous glass sphere, the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. The surface reflected the glittering black sky. It must have been attached to the trees but gave the impression of being magically suspended , as if by a spell.

‘Is that really where the Dark princess lives?’ asked Orphea, but her brother wasn’t listening. He had already stepped onto the staircase in his excitement.

‘Wait for me!’ she called, and raced after him, the two of them climbing up like tiny ants.

e) The children are made feel small next to the sphere.

• True

• False

​Find quotations from the text as evidence for each of the your answers to the previous task

​E.g.a) is false by quoting: ‘glittering black sky’.

​Once you have chosen a quotation, you need to explain why it specifically shows that you have a strong answer.

​For example if you have written ‘This part of the story takes place at night, as it mentions “ glittering black sky”, you could add: ‘The adjectives “ glittering” and “black” suggest it is night-time.”

​Read the following extract and decide whether you would describe the atmosphere as happy or miserable. Select the words that suggest this to you and write a paragraph explaining why.

​Atmosphere: the main mood or emotion in a piece of writing.

​Contaminated: poisoned or polluted.

​Everything seemed dead. The grey trees stood motionless as the dusty, polluted air swirled around them. No birds sang from their branches. The was thickly carpeted with ash, grey and contaminated, with no sign of any blade of grass. The man hopelessly searched the barren landscape: he was utterly alone.

Open Ended

Everything seemed dead. The grey trees stood motionless as the dusty, polluted air swirled around them. No birds sang from their branches. The was thickly carpeted with ash, grey and contaminated, with no sign of any blade of grass. The man hopelessly searched the barren landscape: he was utterly alone.

What words suggest the atmosphere is happy/miserable? Write a short paragraph explaining why. Begin like this:

The words (x, y,z) suggest the atmosphere is happy/miserable because...

​Is an 'e' or an 'a' missing from the following adejctives? Complete the words using the correct letter

• a) Conveni_nt

• b) disobedi_ nt

  ​c) extravag_nt

• d) independ_nt

• e) pati_nt

• f) reluct_nt​