Descriptive test questions - National 4 English Revision

1

Which of the following is the most important reason for including some description in a piece of creative writing?

description helps to make the story longer if you cannot think up a very detailed plot

It can help to create an atmosphere and makes the characters more believable as real people

It gives an exact impression of what the characters look like

2

Which of the five senses should be used in descriptive writing?

Sight and hearing

Smell and taste

All of the different senses

3

Which of the following pieces of description is the most effective?

When Kevin got up he got his birthday present

As soon as Kevin got out of bed he opened his birthday present

Kevin immediately leapt out of bed and ripped open his birthday present

Read these pieces of description and answer the TWO questions which follow:

(a) “The room was square with a window along one side. It had four chairs and a TV and video. There was a drinks cabinet and computer in the corner. The carpet was red and the ceiling cream.”

(b) “The room was brightly lit by a large window and housed several modern pieces of electrical equipment but the effect was softened by a drinks cabinet and a warm red carpet.”

4

Which passage is the most effective piece of description?

Passage (a)

Passage (b)

Both are equally as effective

5

Which of the following statements would you agree with?

Passage (a) is better as it lists more detailed facts

Passage (b) is better as it places more emphasis on colours

Passage (b) is better as it helps to creates a mood.

Read this passage of description and answer the TWO questions which follow:

"He walked into the classroom and crossed to his desk. The floor was worn where years of boys had kicked and scuffed in their rush to escape. A damp, sickly-sweet aroma arose from the pile of jackets crushed in one corner and a blind tap, tapped against the window where a stone or ball had cracked the glass. Mr Jones rubbed his hands across the smooth polished top and examined his finger tips for dust."

6

To which of the five senses does the following descriptive sentence appeal: “Mr Jones rubbed his hands across the smooth polished top”?

Taste

Touch

Smell

7

To which of the five senses does the following descriptive sentence appeal: “A damp, sickly-sweet aroma arose from the pile of jackets”?

Taste

Touch

Smell

Read this passage of description and answer the TWO questions which follow:

"A wet, dull day greeted Mary as she stepped into the grey light. Men huddled by in drab wet coats or stood in dismal doorways waiting for a bus which never seemed to arrive."

8

What of the following statements is true of this description?

A hopeful mood is created by the words “waiting for a bus”

A mood of depression is created by the words “dismal doorways”

A joyful mood is created by the use of the verb “greeted”

9

To which of the following senses does the expression “drab wet coats” appeal?

Touch and sight

Taste and sound

Sight and sound

10

Which of the following should you do when writing about a character in a story?

Always describe his or her physical appearance in detail

Never describe his or her physical appearance in detail

Describe selected aspects of his or her physical appearance which help make the character more real