Descriptive Essays
Free Topic ideas and Essay Plans
Target Exam Papers: A LEVEL, IGCSE, GCSE, and O Level
-
Excel in exams by improving your descriptive writing skills
-
Formats and Guidelines: Learn the secrets of crafting evocative descriptions with expert formats and guidelines.
-
Downloadable PDFs: Full essays can be downloaded PDF (With English Essays Pack)
-
Write a descriptive piece about the kitchen of a busy restaurant. In your writing, focus on sound,
movement and smell to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a bustling high-end restaurant kitchen in the heart of New York City during a Friday evening dinner rush. The restaurant is renowned for its fusion cuisine, combining elements from various culinary traditions.
Main Character: The main character is Marco, a 45-year-old head chef. He's a seasoned culinary expert, known for his meticulous attention to detail, high standards, and passion for creating memorable dishes. His motivation is the pursuit of culinary perfection and the joy his creations bring to the restaurant's patrons.
Theme: The central theme is the controlled chaos of a busy restaurant kitchen, the adrenaline rush, and the symphony of senses that encapsulate the culinary world. The narrative should focus on the dynamics within the kitchen, the intensity of the work, and Marco's role in the midst of it all.
Tone: The tone should be energetic, intense, and vivid, mirroring the fast-paced environment of the restaurant kitchen. The narrative should incorporate rich sensory details to bring the kitchen alive for the reader.
Pacing: The pacing should be quick, reflecting the urgency and rapid rhythm of a restaurant kitchen during peak hours. The narrative should maintain this pace, slowing only momentarily to focus on Marco's thoughts and observations.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, focusing on Marco's perspective and the sensory experience of the kitchen.
Cambridge A level May/June 2020
Write a descriptive piece called Arrival, about a large cruise ship coming into a port. In your writing,
focus on sound, movement and colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a bustling Mediterranean port during the high tourism season in the present day. The port is known for its vibrant cityscape, rich history, and beautiful turquoise waters.
Main Character: The main character is David, a 35-year-old local tour guide. He's an observant individual who takes pride in his city and loves sharing its charm with tourists. His main motivation is to create memorable experiences for his clients.
Theme: The central theme is a sense of arrival, of anticipation, and the energy of a city preparing to welcome its guests. The narrative should focus on the spectacle of the cruise ship's arrival, the reactions of the people, and the resulting transformation of the port.
Tone: The tone should be lively and vibrant, mirroring the energy of the bustling port. The descriptions should be rich and detailed, capturing the myriad sights, sounds, and activities that accompany the arrival of the cruise ship.
Pacing: The pacing should start slow, building gradually as the ship approaches the port, reaching a peak when the ship docks, and then slowing down as the tourists start to disembark and explore the city.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, with a focus on David's observations and the changes in the port's atmosphere as the cruise ship arrives.
Cambridge A level February/March 2020
Write a descriptive piece called On the Dancefloor. In your writing, focus on movement, sound and
colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The story takes place in a popular urban nightclub in the present day. The club, known for its eclectic music and diverse crowd, is a hotspot for locals and tourists alike.
Main character: The protagonist is Alex, a 25-year-old software engineer. Alex is a bit introverted, prefers coding over clubbing, but tonight, pushed by his friends, he's stepping out of his comfort zone. His motivation is to let loose, experience the unfamiliar world of night-time revelry and possibly, surprise himself.
Theme: The central theme is embracing spontaneity and the unexpected adventures life offers. The story follows Alex as he navigates the sensory overload of the club, embracing the unknown and finding a part of himself he never knew existed.
Tone: The tone should be vibrant, dynamic, and somewhat introspective. As the story is told from Alex's perspective, his initial apprehension, followed by growing confidence and enjoyment, should be palpable.
Pacing: The story begins slowly, introducing the setting, the characters, and the initial hesitation of Alex. As Alex begins to enjoy himself, the pace should quicken, mirroring the fast beats of the music and the energetic atmosphere.
Optional: The essay should be around 400 words and must be written in the first person.
Cambridge A level May/June 2019
Write a descriptive piece called On the Space Station. In your writing, focus on sound, movement
and colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The story unfolds aboard the International Space Station, orbiting Earth in the present day. The space station, a marvel of modern engineering, is a symbol of human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.
Main character: The protagonist is Dr. Maya Srinivasan, a 35-year-old astronaut and astrophysicist. Maya is driven, passionate about her work, and has a childlike wonder for the universe. Her motivation is her lifelong dream of experiencing space firsthand and contributing to the scientific community.
Theme: The central theme is exploration and the awe-inspiring vastness of the universe. The narrative follows Maya as she experiences the wonders and challenges of living in space, reinforcing the notion that exploration is not just about new discoveries, but also about experiencing and appreciating the grandeur of existence.
Tone: The tone should be reverential, filled with awe and marvel, yet grounded in the reality of space travel. The reader should feel Maya's exhilaration and fear, her sense of wonder, and the profound solitude of being so far from home.
Pacing: The story begins with the routine of station life, gradually revealing the extraordinary aspects of living in space. The pace should mirror Maya's experiences, alternating between the frantic pace of emergency drills and the slow, serene moments of observing Earth from above.
Optional: The essay should be around 400 words and must be written in the first person.
Cambridge A level May/June 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Carnival. In your writing, focus on colour, sound and movement
to help your reader imagine the scene.
Title: The Carnival
Setting: The story unfolds in a small coastal town in the summer of 2023, during the annual summer carnival that engulfs the entire town in a whirlwind of colors, sounds, and movement.
Main character: The main character is Bella, a 16-year-old high school student who is passionate about art and life's simple pleasures. She is an observer, often finding beauty in the mundane, and is excited to experience the carnival's sensory overload.
Theme: The central theme of the story is the fleeting magic of youth and celebration. The aim is to capture the ephemeral joy of the carnival, as seen through Bella's eyes, and how it encapsulates the essence of summer in her seaside town.
Tone: The tone should be joyous, lively, and somewhat nostalgic. The prose should be filled with a sense of wonder and vibrancy that reflects the atmosphere of the carnival and Bella's perspective.
Pacing: The story begins slowly, setting the stage and building anticipation for the carnival. As the carnival begins, the pace should quicken to mirror the flurry of activities, then gradually slow down as the event winds down, leaving behind a sense of satisfaction and lingering magic.
Optional: The essay should be around 400 words and must be written in the first person, capturing Bella's personal experiences and emotions.
Cambridge A level October/November 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Castle. In your writing, focus on sound, light and colour to
help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is an ancient, sprawling castle situated on a remote hilltop in Scotland during the late 18th century. The castle, surrounded by vast moors and a deep, dark forest, is a relic from the past with its weather-beaten stones and ivy-covered walls.
Main Character: The main character is Edward, a 35-year-old historian and writer, who has a deep fascination with history, architecture, and the stories embedded within them. Edward is inquisitive, introspective, and appreciates the beauty of silence and solitude.
Theme: The theme revolves around the sense of history, mystery, and the majestic beauty of the castle, along with Edward's reflections and interactions with this ancient edifice.
Tone: The tone should be reflective, filled with awe and wonder. It should echo Edward's fascination and respect for the castle, its history, and the stories it holds.
Pacing: The pacing should be unhurried, mirroring the slow, tranquil passage of time within the castle and the surrounding landscape.
Optional: The story should be between 600-900 words, focusing on Edward's exploration and observations of the castle.
Cambridge A level October/November 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Circus. In your writing, focus on sound, movement and colour
to help the reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a vibrant, bustling circus on a warm summer night in the present day. The venue is set up in the middle of an open field at the edge of a small town, drawing a diverse crowd of locals eager for entertainment.
Main Character: The main character is Lily, a 10-year-old girl who is visiting the circus for the first time. She's a curious, imaginative child with a love for stories and a thirst for adventure.
Theme: The central theme of the story is wonder and the joy of discovery. The narrative should focus on Lily's experiences and the awe-inspiring sights, sounds, and feelings she encounters.
Tone: The tone should be whimsical and exhilarating, capturing the thrill and magic of a child's first circus experience. It should be filled with wonder, echoing Lily's feelings as she navigates the surreal world of the circus.
Pacing: The pacing should be quick and lively, mirroring the high-energy atmosphere of the circus. The story should bounce from one spectacle to another, mimicking Lily's awe and wide-eyed fascination.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, focusing on Lily's observations and emotions as she explores the circus.
Cambridge A level October/November 2018
Write a descriptive piece called The Classroom. In your writing, create a sense of atmosphere, and focus
on movement and sound to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900 words.
Setting: The setting is a bustling high school classroom in a modern urban school. The classroom is filled with colorful posters, students' projects, and a traditional chalkboard that dominates one wall.
Main Character: The main character is Alex, a 35-year-old high school teacher who is passionate about teaching and shaping young minds. Alex is patient, observant, and has a deep understanding of the dynamics of a classroom environment.
Theme: The central theme of the story is the vibrancy and energy of a high school classroom, focusing on the different personalities and interactions that make up this unique environment.
Tone: The tone should be lively and dynamic, reflecting the energetic atmosphere of a busy classroom.
Pacing: The pacing should be fast, mirroring the hustle and bustle of a typical day in a high school classroom.
Optional: The essay should be approximately 600-900 words, focusing on creating a detailed picture of the scene through the use of descriptive language and sensory detail.
Cambridge A level October/November 2021
Write a descriptive piece called The Crowd. In your writing, create a sense of atmosphere, and
focus on sound, movement and colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a large, bustling city square in the middle of a summer music festival in the present day. Vibrant decorations add to the festive atmosphere, and people from various backgrounds have come together to enjoy the music.
Main Character: The main character is Alex, a 28-year-old musician who is performing at the festival for the first time. He is nervous, yet excited, and is inspired by the energy and diversity of the crowd.
Theme: The central theme of the story is the unity of diverse people through the power of music and the collective experience of a public event.
Tone: The tone should be energetic and vibrant, reflecting the lively atmosphere of the music festival. Use vivid and sensory language to capture the diversity and dynamism of the crowd.
Pacing: The pacing should match the energy of the festival, with fast-paced descriptions of the crowd and music, interspersed with slower moments where Alex observes individual characters in the crowd.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, focusing on Alex's observations and emotions as he experiences the crowd's energy.
Cambridge A level October/November 2019
Write a descriptive piece called The Heat Is On, about a park on a hot day in summer. In your writing,
focus on colour, sound and movement to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a vibrant, bustling park in the middle of New York City on a scorching summer day in the late 1980s. The park, with its lush trees, inviting benches, and a lively playground, is a haven amidst the concrete jungle, providing an escape from the heat for city dwellers.
Main Character: The main character is Lily, a 25-year-old freelance artist who frequents the park for inspiration. Lily is observant, creative, and appreciates the smaller details of life. Her motivation is to capture the spirit and energy of the city in her artwork.
Theme: The theme revolves around the liveliness and colors of the park during summer, the bustling activity, and the main character's unique perspective and interaction with this environment.
Tone: The tone should be lively and colorful, mirroring the vibrancy of the park and the intensity of the summer heat. It should also carry a sense of nostalgia, reflecting the 1980s setting.
Pacing: The pacing should be dynamic, fluctuating with the activities in the park, the ebb and flow of people, and the main character's interactions and observations.
Optional: The story should be between 600-900 words, focusing on a single day in the park as experienced by Lily.
Cambridge A level May/June 2021
Write a descriptive piece called The Laboratory. In your writing, focus on colour, sound and smell
to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a high-tech research laboratory in Boston, Massachusetts, in the present time. The lab is located within a leading biotechnology company and is renowned for cutting-edge research in genetic engineering.
Main Character: The main character is Dr. Emily Foster, a 32-year-old molecular biologist. She is a bright, dedicated, and highly methodical scientist who thrives in the pursuit of knowledge and the potential to make significant breakthroughs that could change lives. Her motivation is the potential to find a cure for genetic diseases.
Theme: The central theme is the interplay of scientific precision and creative discovery within the context of a modern research laboratory. The narrative should highlight the rigor and excitement of scientific research, and the intense focus and attention to detail that define Emily's role.
Tone: The tone should be one of curiosity, intensity, and precision, reflecting the high-stakes, high-reward environment of the lab. The narrative should incorporate rich sensory detail to fully convey the lab's atmosphere.
Pacing: The pacing should mirror the rhythm of the lab - at times methodical and slow, as Emily conducts her research with painstaking precision, and at other moments, fast and exhilarating when a breakthrough is on the horizon.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words and use vivid, descriptive language to capture the reader's imagination.
Cambridge A level October/November 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Old House, about an abandoned house in the countryside. In
your writing, focus on light, colour and sound to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The story is set in the rural outskirts of a small town, in the present day. An old, abandoned Victorian-style house, once grand and lively, now stands silently amidst overgrown gardens, giving it an air of mystery and desolation.
Main character: James, a 30-year-old photographer and urban explorer, known for his curiosity and courage. His passion for unraveling stories hidden within the forgotten corners of the world leads him to the old house.
Theme: The theme centers around exploration and the beauty found in decay. The story will unravel the forgotten charm of the old house as James discovers it, highlighting the nostalgia and memories it holds.
Tone: The tone should be eerie yet beautiful, evoking a sense of curiosity, wonder, and a touch of melancholy. It should subtly hint at the grandeur the house once held and the life it once sheltered.
Pacing: The story should start slow as James approaches and studies the house from the outside, then gradually pick up the pace as he steps inside, discovering the remnants of a bygone era.
Optional: The story should be around 400 words, with a focus on the vivid description of the house and the emotions it evokes.
Cambridge A level October/November 2019
Descriptive Essays
Target Exam Papers: A LEVEL, IGCSE, GCSE, and O Level students
-
Comprehensive Resources: Our platform offers a wide range of resources to enhance your descriptive writing skills:
-
Formats and Guidelines: Learn the secrets of crafting evocative descriptions with expertly curated formats and guidelines.
-
Downloadable PDFs: Access a variety of downloadable PDFs to support your descriptive writing journey.
-
Exciting Essay Topics: Discover diverse and thrilling essay topic
-
-
-
Achieve Excellence: Excel in exams by improving your descriptive writing skills
English Essays Pack
✅Master the art of essay writing and achieve top grades in your exam
✅High-quality model essays showcase exemplary writing skills, providing inspiration and guidance for crafting outstanding essays
✅Packed with 500 frequently examined questions and essays
✅Covers narrative, argumentative, and descriptive essays, directed writing, letters and speech.
✅Perfect for A Level, GCSE, IGCSE, and O Level students
✅Equipped with practical tips and vocabulary words to enhance your writing, unlock the secrets to academic excellence and elevate your success today!
✅Accessible and convenient! All essays downloadable as PDF
Write a descriptive piece about the kitchen of a busy restaurant. In your writing, focus on sound,
movement and smell to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a bustling high-end restaurant kitchen in the heart of New York City during a Friday evening dinner rush. The restaurant is renowned for its fusion cuisine, combining elements from various culinary traditions.
Main Character: The main character is Marco, a 45-year-old head chef. He's a seasoned culinary expert, known for his meticulous attention to detail, high standards, and passion for creating memorable dishes. His motivation is the pursuit of culinary perfection and the joy his creations bring to the restaurant's patrons.
Theme: The central theme is the controlled chaos of a busy restaurant kitchen, the adrenaline rush, and the symphony of senses that encapsulate the culinary world. The narrative should focus on the dynamics within the kitchen, the intensity of the work, and Marco's role in the midst of it all.
Tone: The tone should be energetic, intense, and vivid, mirroring the fast-paced environment of the restaurant kitchen. The narrative should incorporate rich sensory details to bring the kitchen alive for the reader.
Pacing: The pacing should be quick, reflecting the urgency and rapid rhythm of a restaurant kitchen during peak hours. The narrative should maintain this pace, slowing only momentarily to focus on Marco's thoughts and observations.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, focusing on Marco's perspective and the sensory experience of the kitchen.
Cambridge A level May/June 2020
Write a descriptive piece called Arrival, about a large cruise ship coming into a port. In your writing,
focus on sound, movement and colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a bustling Mediterranean port during the high tourism season in the present day. The port is known for its vibrant cityscape, rich history, and beautiful turquoise waters.
Main Character: The main character is David, a 35-year-old local tour guide. He's an observant individual who takes pride in his city and loves sharing its charm with tourists. His main motivation is to create memorable experiences for his clients.
Theme: The central theme is a sense of arrival, of anticipation, and the energy of a city preparing to welcome its guests. The narrative should focus on the spectacle of the cruise ship's arrival, the reactions of the people, and the resulting transformation of the port.
Tone: The tone should be lively and vibrant, mirroring the energy of the bustling port. The descriptions should be rich and detailed, capturing the myriad sights, sounds, and activities that accompany the arrival of the cruise ship.
Pacing: The pacing should start slow, building gradually as the ship approaches the port, reaching a peak when the ship docks, and then slowing down as the tourists start to disembark and explore the city.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, with a focus on David's observations and the changes in the port's atmosphere as the cruise ship arrives.
Cambridge A level February/March 2020
Write a descriptive piece called On the Dancefloor. In your writing, focus on movement, sound and
colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The story takes place in a popular urban nightclub in the present day. The club, known for its eclectic music and diverse crowd, is a hotspot for locals and tourists alike.
Main character: The protagonist is Alex, a 25-year-old software engineer. Alex is a bit introverted, prefers coding over clubbing, but tonight, pushed by his friends, he's stepping out of his comfort zone. His motivation is to let loose, experience the unfamiliar world of night-time revelry and possibly, surprise himself.
Theme: The central theme is embracing spontaneity and the unexpected adventures life offers. The story follows Alex as he navigates the sensory overload of the club, embracing the unknown and finding a part of himself he never knew existed.
Tone: The tone should be vibrant, dynamic, and somewhat introspective. As the story is told from Alex's perspective, his initial apprehension, followed by growing confidence and enjoyment, should be palpable.
Pacing: The story begins slowly, introducing the setting, the characters, and the initial hesitation of Alex. As Alex begins to enjoy himself, the pace should quicken, mirroring the fast beats of the music and the energetic atmosphere.
Optional: The essay should be around 400 words and must be written in the first person.
Cambridge A level May/June 2019
Write a descriptive piece called On the Space Station. In your writing, focus on sound, movement
and colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The story unfolds aboard the International Space Station, orbiting Earth in the present day. The space station, a marvel of modern engineering, is a symbol of human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.
Main character: The protagonist is Dr. Maya Srinivasan, a 35-year-old astronaut and astrophysicist. Maya is driven, passionate about her work, and has a childlike wonder for the universe. Her motivation is her lifelong dream of experiencing space firsthand and contributing to the scientific community.
Theme: The central theme is exploration and the awe-inspiring vastness of the universe. The narrative follows Maya as she experiences the wonders and challenges of living in space, reinforcing the notion that exploration is not just about new discoveries, but also about experiencing and appreciating the grandeur of existence.
Tone: The tone should be reverential, filled with awe and marvel, yet grounded in the reality of space travel. The reader should feel Maya's exhilaration and fear, her sense of wonder, and the profound solitude of being so far from home.
Pacing: The story begins with the routine of station life, gradually revealing the extraordinary aspects of living in space. The pace should mirror Maya's experiences, alternating between the frantic pace of emergency drills and the slow, serene moments of observing Earth from above.
Optional: The essay should be around 400 words and must be written in the first person.
Cambridge A level May/June 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Carnival. In your writing, focus on colour, sound and movement
to help your reader imagine the scene.
Title: The Carnival
Setting: The story unfolds in a small coastal town in the summer of 2023, during the annual summer carnival that engulfs the entire town in a whirlwind of colors, sounds, and movement.
Main character: The main character is Bella, a 16-year-old high school student who is passionate about art and life's simple pleasures. She is an observer, often finding beauty in the mundane, and is excited to experience the carnival's sensory overload.
Theme: The central theme of the story is the fleeting magic of youth and celebration. The aim is to capture the ephemeral joy of the carnival, as seen through Bella's eyes, and how it encapsulates the essence of summer in her seaside town.
Tone: The tone should be joyous, lively, and somewhat nostalgic. The prose should be filled with a sense of wonder and vibrancy that reflects the atmosphere of the carnival and Bella's perspective.
Pacing: The story begins slowly, setting the stage and building anticipation for the carnival. As the carnival begins, the pace should quicken to mirror the flurry of activities, then gradually slow down as the event winds down, leaving behind a sense of satisfaction and lingering magic.
Optional: The essay should be around 400 words and must be written in the first person, capturing Bella's personal experiences and emotions.
Cambridge A level October/November 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Castle. In your writing, focus on sound, light and colour to
help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is an ancient, sprawling castle situated on a remote hilltop in Scotland during the late 18th century. The castle, surrounded by vast moors and a deep, dark forest, is a relic from the past with its weather-beaten stones and ivy-covered walls.
Main Character: The main character is Edward, a 35-year-old historian and writer, who has a deep fascination with history, architecture, and the stories embedded within them. Edward is inquisitive, introspective, and appreciates the beauty of silence and solitude.
Theme: The theme revolves around the sense of history, mystery, and the majestic beauty of the castle, along with Edward's reflections and interactions with this ancient edifice.
Tone: The tone should be reflective, filled with awe and wonder. It should echo Edward's fascination and respect for the castle, its history, and the stories it holds.
Pacing: The pacing should be unhurried, mirroring the slow, tranquil passage of time within the castle and the surrounding landscape.
Optional: The story should be between 600-900 words, focusing on Edward's exploration and observations of the castle.
Cambridge A level October/November 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Circus. In your writing, focus on sound, movement and colour
to help the reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a vibrant, bustling circus on a warm summer night in the present day. The venue is set up in the middle of an open field at the edge of a small town, drawing a diverse crowd of locals eager for entertainment.
Main Character: The main character is Lily, a 10-year-old girl who is visiting the circus for the first time. She's a curious, imaginative child with a love for stories and a thirst for adventure.
Theme: The central theme of the story is wonder and the joy of discovery. The narrative should focus on Lily's experiences and the awe-inspiring sights, sounds, and feelings she encounters.
Tone: The tone should be whimsical and exhilarating, capturing the thrill and magic of a child's first circus experience. It should be filled with wonder, echoing Lily's feelings as she navigates the surreal world of the circus.
Pacing: The pacing should be quick and lively, mirroring the high-energy atmosphere of the circus. The story should bounce from one spectacle to another, mimicking Lily's awe and wide-eyed fascination.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, focusing on Lily's observations and emotions as she explores the circus.
Cambridge A level October/November 2018
Write a descriptive piece called The Classroom. In your writing, create a sense of atmosphere, and focus
on movement and sound to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900 words.
Setting: The setting is a bustling high school classroom in a modern urban school. The classroom is filled with colorful posters, students' projects, and a traditional chalkboard that dominates one wall.
Main Character: The main character is Alex, a 35-year-old high school teacher who is passionate about teaching and shaping young minds. Alex is patient, observant, and has a deep understanding of the dynamics of a classroom environment.
Theme: The central theme of the story is the vibrancy and energy of a high school classroom, focusing on the different personalities and interactions that make up this unique environment.
Tone: The tone should be lively and dynamic, reflecting the energetic atmosphere of a busy classroom.
Pacing: The pacing should be fast, mirroring the hustle and bustle of a typical day in a high school classroom.
Optional: The essay should be approximately 600-900 words, focusing on creating a detailed picture of the scene through the use of descriptive language and sensory detail.
Cambridge A level October/November 2021
Write a descriptive piece called The Crowd. In your writing, create a sense of atmosphere, and
focus on sound, movement and colour to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a large, bustling city square in the middle of a summer music festival in the present day. Vibrant decorations add to the festive atmosphere, and people from various backgrounds have come together to enjoy the music.
Main Character: The main character is Alex, a 28-year-old musician who is performing at the festival for the first time. He is nervous, yet excited, and is inspired by the energy and diversity of the crowd.
Theme: The central theme of the story is the unity of diverse people through the power of music and the collective experience of a public event.
Tone: The tone should be energetic and vibrant, reflecting the lively atmosphere of the music festival. Use vivid and sensory language to capture the diversity and dynamism of the crowd.
Pacing: The pacing should match the energy of the festival, with fast-paced descriptions of the crowd and music, interspersed with slower moments where Alex observes individual characters in the crowd.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words, focusing on Alex's observations and emotions as he experiences the crowd's energy.
Cambridge A level October/November 2019
Write a descriptive piece called The Heat Is On, about a park on a hot day in summer. In your writing,
focus on colour, sound and movement to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a vibrant, bustling park in the middle of New York City on a scorching summer day in the late 1980s. The park, with its lush trees, inviting benches, and a lively playground, is a haven amidst the concrete jungle, providing an escape from the heat for city dwellers.
Main Character: The main character is Lily, a 25-year-old freelance artist who frequents the park for inspiration. Lily is observant, creative, and appreciates the smaller details of life. Her motivation is to capture the spirit and energy of the city in her artwork.
Theme: The theme revolves around the liveliness and colors of the park during summer, the bustling activity, and the main character's unique perspective and interaction with this environment.
Tone: The tone should be lively and colorful, mirroring the vibrancy of the park and the intensity of the summer heat. It should also carry a sense of nostalgia, reflecting the 1980s setting.
Pacing: The pacing should be dynamic, fluctuating with the activities in the park, the ebb and flow of people, and the main character's interactions and observations.
Optional: The story should be between 600-900 words, focusing on a single day in the park as experienced by Lily.
Cambridge A level May/June 2021
Write a descriptive piece called The Laboratory. In your writing, focus on colour, sound and smell
to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The setting is a high-tech research laboratory in Boston, Massachusetts, in the present time. The lab is located within a leading biotechnology company and is renowned for cutting-edge research in genetic engineering.
Main Character: The main character is Dr. Emily Foster, a 32-year-old molecular biologist. She is a bright, dedicated, and highly methodical scientist who thrives in the pursuit of knowledge and the potential to make significant breakthroughs that could change lives. Her motivation is the potential to find a cure for genetic diseases.
Theme: The central theme is the interplay of scientific precision and creative discovery within the context of a modern research laboratory. The narrative should highlight the rigor and excitement of scientific research, and the intense focus and attention to detail that define Emily's role.
Tone: The tone should be one of curiosity, intensity, and precision, reflecting the high-stakes, high-reward environment of the lab. The narrative should incorporate rich sensory detail to fully convey the lab's atmosphere.
Pacing: The pacing should mirror the rhythm of the lab - at times methodical and slow, as Emily conducts her research with painstaking precision, and at other moments, fast and exhilarating when a breakthrough is on the horizon.
Optional: The story should be approximately 400 words and use vivid, descriptive language to capture the reader's imagination.
Cambridge A level October/November 2020
Write a descriptive piece called The Old House, about an abandoned house in the countryside. In
your writing, focus on light, colour and sound to help your reader imagine the scene.
Setting: The story is set in the rural outskirts of a small town, in the present day. An old, abandoned Victorian-style house, once grand and lively, now stands silently amidst overgrown gardens, giving it an air of mystery and desolation.
Main character: James, a 30-year-old photographer and urban explorer, known for his curiosity and courage. His passion for unraveling stories hidden within the forgotten corners of the world leads him to the old house.
Theme: The theme centers around exploration and the beauty found in decay. The story will unravel the forgotten charm of the old house as James discovers it, highlighting the nostalgia and memories it holds.
Tone: The tone should be eerie yet beautiful, evoking a sense of curiosity, wonder, and a touch of melancholy. It should subtly hint at the grandeur the house once held and the life it once sheltered.
Pacing: The story should start slow as James approaches and studies the house from the outside, then gradually pick up the pace as he steps inside, discovering the remnants of a bygone era.
Optional: The story should be around 400 words, with a focus on the vivid description of the house and the emotions it evokes.
Cambridge A level October/November 2019
English Essays Pack
✅Master the art of essay writing and achieve top grades in your exam
✅High-quality model essays showcase exemplary writing skills, providing inspiration and guidance for crafting outstanding essays
✅Packed with 500 frequently examined questions and essays
✅Covers narrative, argumentative, and descriptive essays, directed writing, letters and speech.
✅Perfect for A Level, GCSE, IGCSE, and O Level students
✅Equipped with practical tips and vocabulary words to enhance your writing, unlock the secrets to academic excellence and elevate your success today!
✅Accessible and convenient! All essays downloadable as PDF