Question 5: Descriptive or Narrative Writing Practice Questions

Your English department is putting together a booklet of student writing on the theme of winter. Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a frozen lake early in the morning from your imagination.

or

Write the opening of a story about getting lost.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

An environmental charity is collecting creative writing for its website on the theme of changing seasons. Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a park in late autumn from your imagination.

or

Write the opening of a story about two neighbours who have never spoken.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Your school is creating a creative writing anthology for Year 7 students on the theme of journeys. Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a railway platform at dawn from your imagination.

or

Write the opening of a story about someone who misses something important.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Your local library is collecting short pieces of creative writing for a display called "Hidden Places". Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of an indoor market at closing time from your imagination.

or

Write the opening of a story about a secret that is finally told.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Your school magazine is publishing a feature called "Spaces We Share". Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a school corridor in the minute before the bell rings from your imagination.

or

Write a description of a hospital waiting room late at night from your imagination.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

A local museum is running a young writers' project called "Objects with Stories". Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a second-hand shop from your imagination.

or

Write the opening of a story about a letter delivered to the wrong address.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Your town council is publishing a collection of local writing called "After Dark". Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a late-night bus journey from your imagination.

or

Write the opening of a story about a night when something changed.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Your local newspaper is running a creative writing competition called "People of Our Town". Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a market trader at the start of a busy day from your imagination.

or

Write the opening of a story about someone who recognises a stranger.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

A young writers' competition is inviting entries on the theme of heat. Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of a city during a heatwave.

or

Write the opening of a story in which the power goes out.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

A community radio station is broadcasting short creative pieces by young people on the theme of second chances. Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write the opening of a story about someone returning to a place they knew as a child.

or

Write the opening of a story in which a character has to make a decision in a few seconds.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Your school is producing an anthology called "Under Pressure". Choose one of the options below for your entry.

Either

Write a description of the moment before a race begins.

or

Write the opening of a story about a rivalry.

(24 marks for content and organisation; 16 marks for technical accuracy)