Sample Answer for Paper 1 Question 5: Descriptive Writing Model Answer

38/40

All was still.

The marigold sun was held prisoner, barred and buried within the suffocating grasps of the clouds above. Encompassing the sky were dark intruding lines of a deep cerulean blue masked with inconsistent streaks of horrid grey, as though they were scratches on what was once a pretty face. Like the furious wrath of Aries himself, the belligerent blows of the wind impeded on the vulnerable forest below - battering the strongest of oak. Obediently, the clouds - tainted with vengeance - surrounded every crevice in sight, engulfing all signs of feeble light the sun would ever so rarely emit.

An indubitable sense of hopelessness reigned over the land.

Conspicuously, the cruel clasps of fog lingered throughout; all of what was once the blistered face of the earth became a blanket of thick and opaque silver. Disfigured silhouettes of spruce fought against the overbearing power of the dismal aura. Many of the overgrown timbers were intertwined with each other, as though they were defending themselves against the sudden outbursts of gale. There was never a more harrowing sight: branches gnarled, warped, contorted over the foliage and ferns were planted so carelessly by the hands of Hades. His ominous presence subdued the earth; nothing beautiful survived amongst the strangled, sparse patches of grass. Pungent smells from the moss seemed to slowly intrude the bitter air - stinging the back of one's throat. Such an acrid taste it was. Skeletal barks of oak; birch; and chestnut lay lifeless on the ground, quenching of thirst as any signs of water satiated the cowering spruce trees sneering above them.

At times, a percussion of discordant sounds echoed throughout. Whenever the howling wind had reached the very ends of the secluded field, there came a sinister whisper haunting the entire area - followed by a cacophony of monotonous coos from owls and crows.

Situated at the corner of the forest border was an intimidating stature. Though the trees continued to tower over the earth, they did not dare touch the stone relic. It was magnificent. With a strangely symmetrical ring of stone slabs - unlike Atlas - it firmly planted its feet deep into the neglected, cracked earth. Below the great portal were a juxtaposing pair of steel gates: scrawny and half-heartedly built into the inner sides of graphite rock. A disproportionate number of iron spikes sat unevenly on individual steel bars; they were uneven in shape and seemingly uneven in colour. Nevertheless, the two formed a formidable entrance for the intimidating forest confined within.

As time passed, the gusts of winds were long gone in the distant horizon, and yet again, all was still on the desolate forest floor.

Feedback:

Criteria	Band	Description	Marks
Content and Organisation	Convincing, compelling communication	The description is convincing and compelling, demonstrating a high level of creativity and effective communication. It is consistent and clear.	22–24
	Consistent, clear communication		19–21
	Some successful communication		13–18
	Some attempt at communication		7–12
	Little clarity and communication		1–6
Technical Accuracy	Sophisticated, extensive vocabulary and accurate spelling	The vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure are sophisticated and mostly accurate. The passage uses varied and complex sentence structures, appropriate punctuation, and sophisticated vocabulary.	13–16
	Varied, appropriate vocabulary and mostly accurate spelling		9–12
	Some variety in vocabulary and some accuracy in spelling		5–8
	Simple vocabulary with frequent spelling errors		1–4

Assessment Table

Criteria	Band	Marks Awarded	Reasoning
Content and Organisation	Convincing, compelling communication	23/24	The description is compelling and evocative, demonstrating a high level of creativity and effective communication. The narrative maintains a consistent and clear tone throughout.
Technical Accuracy	Sophisticated, extensive vocabulary and accurate spelling	15/16	Vocabulary is sophisticated and varied, with accurate spelling and appropriate punctuation. Sentence structures are varied and complex, enhancing the fluency and readability of the piece.