IGCSE ENGLISH

MS.NADHIRAH

Read the short excerpt below. Identify the mood (from the box provided), the figure of
speech used and writer’s intention. Focus on the verbs and adjectives used.
Example:

The sun lay hidden behind a dense shroud of ashen clouds, leaving the streets draped in
shadowy silence. The trees stood like mournful statues, their branches clawing at the air with
bitter futility. A cold wind howled through the alleys, a haunting cry that pierced the
emptiness.

1. Identify the mood: The mood is gloomy, reflecting sadness, despair, and desolation.
2. Figure of speech used:
a. Personification: "The trees stood like mournful statues."
b. Simile: "The trees stood like mournful statues."
c. Onomatopoeia: "A cold wind howled."
3. How does the language choice create this atmosphere?
a. Personification: The trees are described as "skeletal sentinels" clawing at the air,
suggesting lifelessness and creating a haunting, sorrowful tone.
b. The simile "The trees stood like mournful statues" suggests that the trees are lifeless,
motionless, and detached, like statues, but with an added sense of sadness
("mournful"). The idea of the trees being "statues" implies that they are no longer
vibrant or alive, contributing to a sense of stagnation and sorrow.
c. "Cold, biting wind howled" reinforces the chilling and unwelcoming nature of the
setting.
4. What does the writer intend to convey about the setting?
The writer conveys a sense of abandonment and sadness. The lifeless streets and
mournful trees symbolize a place devoid of energy or hope, evoking a heavy, sombre
feeling.

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Suspenseful cheerful angry nostalgic

A. Golden rays of sunlight spilled across the meadow, igniting the vivid hues of
blooming wildflowers. Children’s laughter rang out like a harmonious melody,
blending seamlessly with the cheerful chirping of birds. A gentle breeze danced
playfully through the trees, rustling the leaves like a whisper of joy.

1. Identify the mood: .

2. Figure of speech used:
A.
B.

3. How does the language choice create this atmosphere?

a.

b.

c. What is the effect of the phrases on the reader?

B. The hallway stretched before her like an unending abyss, shadows creeping
along the walls with silent menace. Each step echoed ominously, swallowed
by the suffocating silence. Her breath hitched as a low creak broke through
the stillness, an invisible presence pressing heavily on her chest.

1. Identify the mood:

2. Figure of speech used:

A.
B.

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C.

3. How does the language choice create this atmosphere?

a.

b.

c.

d. What is the writer’s purpose in creating tension?

C. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, conjuring vivid
memories of Sunday mornings at Grandma’s kitchen. The faded
photographs on the mantlepiece seemed to whisper tales of bygone
laughter and love. Each creak of the rocking chair echoed with stories of
cherished days long past.

1. Identify the mood: .

2. Figure of speech used:
A.
B.
C.

3. How do sensory details and figure of speech used evoke nostalgia?

a.

b.

c.

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d. What is the emotional effect on the reader?

D. The storm erupted with a deafening roar, hurling torrents of rain against
the windowpanes. The wind lashed at the trees, snapping branches with
savage fury. Dark clouds churned like a cauldron of boiling rage,
swallowing every glimmer of light.

1. Identify the mood:

2. Figure of speech used:
A.
B.
C.

3. How do the figures of speech used convey anger?

a.

b.

c.

d. What is the writer’s intention in describing the storm?

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DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
A. Gloomy Mood

Write a description of a deserted park on a rainy afternoon. Focus on creating a somber

and melancholy mood. Use personification, similes, and other figures of speech to convey
the atmosphere.

Structure Guide for Students

1. Start with the weather: Describe the clouds, rain, or lack of sunlight.
2. Focus on the setting: Paint a picture of the park, empty paths, and abandoned benches.
3. Add sensory details: Describe the sounds of dripping rain, the dampness in the air, or
the smell of wet earth.

Suggested Phrases to use

• "The rain dripped lazily from the skeletal branches, like tears from a weeping face."
(Simile, Personification)
• "The once-vibrant flowers now hung their heads in defeat." (Personification)
• "Shadows stretched across the path, swallowing every ounce of light." (Hyperbole)
• "A cold wind slithered between the empty benches, whispering secrets of loneliness."
(Personification, Alliteration)
• "The playground, silent and still, stood as a monument to forgotten joy." (Metaphor)

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B. Suspenseful Mood
Describe a late-night walk through an abandoned building. Build tension and
suspense using vivid descriptions and figures of speech.

Structure Guide for Students

1. Begin with the setting: Describe the building’s exterior and eerie surroundings.
2. Highlight sensory details: Focus on sounds, smells, and sights that heighten suspense.
3. Build tension: Describe the character’s reactions—nervousness, quickening heartbeat,
or hesitation.
4. End with a cliffhanger: Leave the reader questioning what might happen next.
Suggested Phrases to Use

• "The floorboards groaned under each step, as if protesting my presence."

(Personification)
• "The air was thick, clinging to my skin like a shroud of dread." (Simile, Metaphor)
• "Shadows twisted and danced on the walls, alive with sinister intent." (Personification,
Hyperbole)
• "A faint dripping echoed in the distance; each drop a slow tick of a sinister clock."
(Onomatopoeia, Metaphor)
• "The silence was deafening, broken only by my own ragged breathing." (Oxymoron,
Hyperbole)

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C. Angry Mood
Write a description of a raging storm at sea. Convey anger and chaos through your
choice of words and figures of speech.

Structure Guide for Students

1. Set the scene: Describe the storm building in intensity.
2. Focus on the sea and sky: Use vivid verbs and adjectives to convey their ferocity.
3. Add sensory elements: Describe the sound of the wind, the salt spray on the skin, or the
flashes of lightning.
4. End with a resolution: Show the storm either fading or continuing to rage.
Suggested Phrases to Use
• "The waves crashed against the rocks with furious abandon, roaring like a beast
unleashed." (Simile, Personification)
• "The wind tore through the sails, howling in rage and shredding all in its path."
(Personification, Alliteration)
• "Dark clouds swirled above, a boiling cauldron of chaos and fury." (Metaphor,
Hyperbole)
• "Thunder growled and snarled like an angry predator, chasing lightning across
the sky." (Simile, Onomatopoeia)
• "The sea churned with relentless ferocity, as if determined to consume
everything in its wake." (Personification)

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Revision Practices
Identify the Figure of Speech
Phrases Figure of Speech
1. "The flowers danced joyfully in the
breeze."

2. "Her smile was as bright as the morning

sun."

3. "The thunder roared angrily across the

sky."
4. "He’s told that story a million times!"
5. "The fire crackled and hissed in the quiet
room."
6. "The icy wind was a blade cutting through
my coat."
7. "The deafening silence filled the room."

8. "The slippery snake slithered silently

through the grass."
9. "The world is a stage, and we are merely
players."
10. "The clock ticked lazily, dragging the
seconds into minutes."
11. "The stars winked at us from the velvet
sky."
12. "His words hit me like a ton of bricks."
13. "The waves crashed onto the shore with a
thunderous roar."
14. "The mountain stood tall, an unyielding
giant watching over the valley."
15. "Her voice was a melody that danced
through the air."

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READING

Read carefully Passage A, The Mountain Pass, in the Reading Booklet Insert and then
answer.

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Questions 1 and 2 on this Question Paper.

Answer all questions using your own words as far as possible.

a) Using your own words, give two reasons why the narrator decides to drive carefully
(paragraph one, ‘For a little time…’)

b) Which one word in line 7 suggests the narrator wants to drive more quickly?

c) (i) Using your own words, give two details that make driving easier for the narrator
(lines 14–16)

(ii) State two ways in which the narrator’s feelings change (lines 16–22).

d) Using your own words, explain what the narrator means by: ‘…and surely, in this clear
air, my fears that had arisen during the night would be defeated’ (lines 21–22).

e) Give two details that the narrator suggests led to his crash (paragraph five, ‘I had
grown…’).

f) Complete parts (i) and (ii) to answer Question 1(f).

(i) Re-read paragraph two (‘In spite of my … I ever spent’).
Using your own words, explain what the writer means by the word
underlined in three of the following phrases:
(a) ‘skidded and side-slipped’ (line 9)
(b) ‘grazed the edge of the gorge’ (line 10)
(c) ‘It was far more exasperating’ (line 10)
(d) ‘the weariest hours I ever spent.’ (line 13)

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(ii) Explain how the writer conveys the difficulty of driving down the mountain road through
the use of language in each of the phrases above

i). You should refer to the whole phrase in your answer.

Phrase selected: (a), (b), (c) or (d) ...........

Explanation:

ii). You should refer to the whole phrase in your answer.

Phrase selected: (a), (b), (c) or (d) ...........

Explanation:

iii). You should refer to the whole phrase in your answer.

Phrase selected: (a), (b), (c) or (d) ...........

Explanation:

iv). You should refer to the whole phrase in your answer.

Phrase selected: (a), (b), (c) or (d) ...........

Explanation:

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Vocabulary

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Writing
Descriptive Writing
Describe a town or village after a heavy rainstorm

The storm had passed, leaving the small town drenched in its wake, as though the sky had
emptied every drop it had hoarded for months. Puddles sprawled across the cobbled streets,
shimmering under the pale light of the late afternoon sun, which peeked hesitantly through
the thinning clouds. The air was thick with the earthy scent of wet soil and grass, mingled
with the faint tang of ozone left behind by the lightning.

The once-pristine gardens were now a chaotic mess of mud and broken stems, as if nature
had waged a war against itself. Trees dripped persistently, their branches hanging low,
burdened by the weight of the lingering water. Leaves, torn and scattered, floated aimlessly
in the murky pools that had claimed the sidewalks. A lone bird shook itself dry on a power
line, sending tiny droplets cascading into the puddle below, its chirp hesitant, as though
testing the calm after the storm.

Shops along the main street bore signs of the downpour. Their awnings sagged under the
weight of collected rain, sending small waterfalls cascading onto the ground with every slight
breeze. Wooden signs swung back and forth, creaking in protest against the damp wind. The
once-bustling market square stood empty, save for a few brave souls who ventured out, their
boots splashing noisily as they navigated the watery maze.

The river that meandered through the town had swollen beyond its banks, its usual gentle
murmur now a roaring torrent. Wooden crates and broken branches floated downstream,
remnants of the storm’s relentless force. Children, drawn by curiosity, leaned over the edge
of the bridge, watching the debris race past, their laughter punctuated by the occasional
splash of muddy water.

Despite the storm's fury, a sense of renewal lingered in the air. The rooftops glistened, washed
clean of their usual layer of dust. The vibrant hues of the town’s pastel-painted houses
seemed brighter, as though the rain had scrubbed them back to life. The streets, though

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sodden and battered, held a quiet promise of restoration—a reminder that even after the
darkest clouds, the world always finds a way to recover.

Your task!

• Task 1: Identify 5 figures of speech from the passage and label them.
• Task 2: Analyze how two of these figures of speech contribute to the mood of
renewal and recovery after the storm.
• Task 3: Infer what the writer’s purpose was in using specific devices like simile or
personification (e.g., to create vivid imagery or connect the reader emotionally to
nature).

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Figures of Speech and Their Explanations:

1. Personification:
• "The sun...peeked hesitantly through the thinning clouds."
The sun is given human qualities, as though it’s cautiously checking on the town after
the storm. This emphasizes the fragile calm after the storm’s chaos.
• "Trees dripped persistently, their branches hanging low, burdened by the weight of
the lingering water."
The trees are described as actively "dripping" and "burdened," which personifies
them to reflect the weariness of nature after the storm.
2. Simile:
• "The sky had emptied every drop it had hoarded for months."
Compares the storm’s rain to an act of releasing something stored for a long time,
emphasizing its intensity.
• "The gardens...as if nature had waged a war against itself."
A vivid comparison to describe the chaotic, damaged state of the gardens.
3. Metaphor:
• "The river...its usual gentle murmur now a roaring torrent."
The river is compared to a living entity, reinforcing the destructive force of nature.
• "The rain had scrubbed them back to life."
Suggests the rain cleansed and renewed the houses, symbolizing recovery and
rejuvenation.
4. Alliteration:
• "Puddles sprawled across the cobbled streets, shimmering under the pale light."
The repetition of "s" sounds creates a smooth, flowing rhythm, reflecting the calm
after the storm.
• "Burdened by the weight of the lingering water."
Repetition of "w" sounds emphasizes the heaviness and weariness left behind.
5. Onomatopoeia:
• "Their boots splashing noisily as they navigated the watery maze."
The word "splashing" mimics the sound of movement through water, immersing the
reader in the scene.

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• "Wooden signs swung back and forth, creaking in protest."

"Creaking" imitates the sound of the wet wood swinging, adding to the sensory
experience.
6. Hyperbole:
• "The sky had emptied every drop it had hoarded for months."
Exaggeration of the storm’s intensity emphasizes how much rain had fallen.
7. Imagery:
• "The air was thick with the earthy scent of wet soil and grass, mingled with the faint
tang of ozone left behind by the lightning."
Appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, vividly bringing the aftermath to life.
• "Leaves, torn and scattered, floated aimlessly in the murky pools."
Visual imagery highlights the storm’s destruction.

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Task 2

Imagine you have recently moved house. In the attic you find a box containing some
objects which belonged to the previous owners. Describe some of the objects you discover
and your thoughts and feelings when you find them.

The attic was a maze of shadows and cobwebs, illuminated only by a single, dusty beam of
sunlight filtering through a crack in the roof. I’d barely unpacked the essentials when
curiosity led me to the rickety ladder. At the back of the attic, half-buried beneath a moth-
eaten blanket, I discovered an old wooden box. Its lid was worn, the hinges rusted, and it
bore the faint smell of cedar mixed with time itself.

I hesitated before opening it, my fingers tracing the intricate carvings on the lid—a swirling
pattern of vines and leaves. With a creak that echoed in the stillness, I lifted it to reveal its
contents. Inside was a collection of objects, each brimming with untold stories.

The first item I picked up was a delicate music box. Its exterior was scratched, but when I
wound the key, a soft, lilting melody filled the air—a haunting tune that seemed both joyful
and sorrowful. I imagined a little girl listening to it, her face alight with wonder, her laughter
mingling with its notes. Who was she? Where was she now?

Next was a stack of faded photographs tied together with a fraying ribbon. The black-and-
white images were a window to another era: a smiling couple on their wedding day, a family
picnic under the shade of a massive oak tree, a boy proudly holding up a fishing rod with his
catch. Their faces were unfamiliar, yet their joy and love felt strangely intimate. It was as if
I had stumbled into their lives for a fleeting moment.

At the bottom of the box, I found an old journal. The leather cover was cracked, and its pages
were yellowed with age. Inside, the handwriting was neat and slanted, each entry dated
meticulously. I read fragments about first loves, heartbreak, and dreams of a brighter future.
The words were raw and honest, as though the writer had poured their soul onto the pages.
I felt an odd mix of emotions as I explored the contents—curiosity, nostalgia, and a sense of
intrusion. These objects were not mine, yet they now felt like part of my story. I wondered if

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I should track down the family and return the box, but a selfish part of me wanted to keep
it—a treasure chest of memories that bridged the gap between their lives and mine.

As I closed the lid and placed the box gently back in the corner, I realized that this attic, once
a mere storage space, now held an irreplaceable connection to the past.

Your task!

• Task 1: Underline examples of personification and explain how they contribute to

the tone of mystery and nostalgia.
• Task 2: Highlight the similes and metaphors, and discuss how they bring emotional
depth to the objects described.
• Task 3: Infer the writer's feelings (e.g., curiosity, a sense of connection, and
nostalgia) based on the use of these figures of speech.

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Breakdown of Figures of Speech in the Sample Writing

1. Personification:
• "The attic was a maze of shadows and cobwebs..."
The attic is described as if it were alive, emphasizing its mysterious and unsettling
atmosphere.
• "The wooden box bore the faint smell of cedar mixed with time itself."
Time is personified, suggesting the box holds a deep history within it.
2. Imagery:
• "A single, dusty beam of sunlight filtering through a crack in the roof."
Visual imagery helps create a vivid mental picture of the attic's dim and forgotten
space.
• "The black-and-white images...a smiling couple on their wedding day, a family
picnic under the shade of a massive oak tree."
Descriptive details of the photographs bring the characters and their past lives to
life for the reader.
3. Simile:
• "The handwriting was neat and slanted, each entry dated meticulously, as though the
writer had poured their soul onto the pages."
This simile conveys the emotional depth of the journal entries and their significance
to the writer.
• "The attic was a maze of shadows..."
Comparing the attic to a maze underscores its mysterious and cluttered nature.
4. Metaphor:
• "A treasure chest of memories that bridged the gap between their lives and mine."
• The box is metaphorically described as a treasure chest, implying its emotional and
historical value.
5. Alliteration:
• "A soft, lilting melody filled the air."
The repetition of "s" and "l" sounds creates a soothing, nostalgic tone.
• "Faces were unfamiliar, yet their joy and love felt strangely intimate."
Repetition of "f" subtly ties together the emotions evoked by the photographs.

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6. Hyperbole:
• "It bore the faint smell of cedar mixed with time itself."
The exaggeration of "time itself" conveys the overwhelming sense of history
emanating from the box.
7. Oxymoron:
• "Both joyful and sorrowful."
Used to describe the music box's melody, the juxtaposition of opposing emotions
evokes a sense of bittersweet nostalgia.

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