Writing: Composition: Practice Set 2
Writing: Composition: Practice Set 2 is a second full set of ISEB Common Entrance style writing tasks, giving further practice at descriptive and narrative writing alongside short questions on vocabulary, sentence construction and punctuation.
Method
- Before writing, plan briefly on paper: note the setting, the main event or turning point, and how the piece will end.
- Open with a strong first sentence that establishes setting, character or mood immediately, rather than a slow introduction.
- Use a range of sentence lengths and structures, including short sentences for impact and longer sentences to build detail or atmosphere.
- Choose specific, well-chosen vocabulary instead of generic words, and use figurative techniques such as simile, metaphor and personification where they genuinely add effect.
- Show a character's emotion through action, dialogue, or physical detail rather than stating it directly, such as "her hands trembled" rather than "she was scared".
- Proofread your final piece for punctuation accuracy, particularly apostrophes, capital letters and the punctuation of any direct speech.
Worked example
Write one original simile and one original metaphor describing a busy railway station.
- For the simile, pick "like" or "as" and a comparison that suits the noise and movement of a station, such as a beehive or an anthill.
- Draft the simile: "The concourse buzzed like a disturbed beehive, everyone moving at once."
- For the metaphor, describe the station directly as something else, without using "like" or "as".
- Draft the metaphor: "The station was a river of coats and suitcases, flowing towards the platforms."
- Check both sentences are grammatically complete and create a vivid impression appropriate to a busy, crowded station. Final answer: "The concourse buzzed like a disturbed beehive, everyone moving at once" (simile) and "The station was a river of coats and suitcases, flowing towards the platforms" (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 train arrived late."Show answer
Answer: Simple sentence.
Q2Identify whether this sentence is simple, compound or complex: "The doors opened, and passengers spilled onto the platform."Show answer
Answer: Compound sentence.
Q3Identify whether this sentence is simple, compound or complex: "Although the platform was crowded, Amara found a seat by the window."Show answer
Answer: Complex sentence.
Q4Write an expanded noun phrase, using at least two describing words, for "the suitcase on the platform."Show answer
Answer: For example: "the battered, overstuffed suitcase on the platform" (any two well-chosen modifiers).
Q5Rewrite this sentence, replacing the vague capitalised word with a more precise alternative, keeping the meaning: "The station was BUSY."Show answer
Answer: For example: "The station was heaving." (any suitably precise, vivid adjective).
Q6Punctuate this line of speech correctly, adding inverted commas and any other punctuation needed, without changing the words: mind the gap called the guard as the doors slid shutShow answer
Answer: "Mind the gap!" called the guard as the doors slid shut.
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 ticket had fallen from her pocket she searched frantically wheres my ticket she cried
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Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
You are going to write the opening of a short story called "The Missed Train". In about 60 to 90 words, write an opening paragraph that builds a clear sense of panic and leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next.
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State three techniques a writer might use to build tension in the middle of a story.
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Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the writing: composition: practice set 2 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 25 of 13+ English Workbook, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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