Writing: Composition Set 4
Writing: Composition Set 4 is a further practice set for the ISEB Common Entrance descriptive and narrative writing paper, building skill in planning a piece of writing, choosing precise and varied vocabulary, and using a range of sentence structures for effect.
Method
- Before writing, spend a few minutes planning: decide on your opening image, how tension or interest will build, a turning point, and a satisfying ending.
- Vary your sentence openers across a piece of writing, using -ing openers, adverbs, prepositional phrases and short sentences for impact, rather than starting every sentence with a subject and a verb.
- Choose precise, specific vocabulary over vague, general words, for example replacing 'walked' with 'trudged', 'crept' or 'strode' depending on the exact effect wanted.
- Use figurative techniques such as simile, metaphor and personification purposefully and sparingly, so each one earns its place rather than crowding the writing.
- Show a character's emotions through action, dialogue and physical detail rather than simply naming the feeling, for example showing clenched fists rather than writing 'he was angry.'
- Proofread your finished writing for the most common errors: missing apostrophes, inconsistent tense, comma splices and unclear pronoun references.
Worked example
Write one original simile and one original metaphor describing a busy, crowded market.
- For the simile, choose 'like' or 'as' and pick a comparison that captures noise and movement, such as insects or a crowd of animals.
- Draft the simile: 'Voices rose and fell like a swarm of disturbed bees.'
- For the metaphor, describe the market directly as something else, without using 'like' or 'as'.
- Draft the metaphor: 'The market was a living, breathing creature, its stalls the scales along its back.'
- Check both sentences are grammatically complete and create a vivid, appropriate impression of a busy, lively market. Final answer: 'Voices rose and fell like a swarm of disturbed bees' (simile); 'The market was a living, breathing creature, its stalls the scales along its back' (metaphor).
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Identify whether this sentence is simple, compound or complex: 'The fog rolled in from the sea.'Show answer
Answer: Simple sentence.
Q2Identify whether this sentence is simple, compound or complex: 'The fog rolled in, and the harbour lights dimmed to a blur.'Show answer
Answer: Compound sentence.
Q3Identify whether this sentence is simple, compound or complex: 'Although the fog was thick, the fishermen still set out.'Show answer
Answer: Complex sentence.
Q4Write an expanded noun phrase, using at least two describing words, for 'the corridor at midnight.'Show answer
Answer: For example: 'the long, silent corridor at midnight' (any two well-chosen modifiers).
Q5Rewrite this sentence, replacing the vague capitalised word with a more precise alternative, keeping the meaning: 'The old house was SCARY.'Show answer
Answer: For example: 'The old house was menacing.' (any suitably precise, vivid adjective).
Q6Punctuate this line of speech correctly, adding inverted commas and any other punctuation needed, without changing the words: hurry up whispered Kofi we havent got much timeShow answer
Answer: 'Hurry up,' whispered Kofi, 'we haven't got much time.'
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 13+ Common Entrance exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Punctuate this paragraph, adding the missing capital letters, apostrophes and other punctuation: the girls torch flickered and died she froze in the sudden darkness is anyone there she called her voice barely a whisper
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You are going to write the opening of a short story called 'The Empty House'. In about 60 to 90 words, write an opening paragraph that builds a clear sense of curiosity and leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next.
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State three techniques a writer might use to build suspense in the middle of a story.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the writing: composition set 4 worksheet pack - 14 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 28 of 13+ English Workbook, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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