Take this Quiz: GCSE English: Descriptive Writing Techniques | Zestly

Question 1

Read the following passage: 'The old clock tower stood like a skeletal sentinel over the town, its face cracked and frozen in time. The wind whistled through the jagged gaps in the masonry, a mournful flute playing for the ghosts of the past.' Which descriptive technique is primarily used here to establish atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Personification

Question 2

Read the following passage: 'The market was a riot of noise and color. Merchants bellowed their prices while the scent of roasted spices hung heavy in the humid air.' Which two of the following sensory details are explicitly included in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Auditory (sound)

Question 3

Which of the following phrases best demonstrates the 'show, don't tell' technique when describing a character who is nervous?

Accepted Answer

He wiped his damp palms on his trousers and avoided eye contact.

Question 4

Read the following passage: 'The forest was a hungry beast. Its roots were grasping fingers, pulling at my ankles, while its canopy was a thick, suffocating blanket that choked the sunlight.' Which two of the following statements accurately describe the use of metaphor in this passage?

Answer

It establishes an extended metaphor comparing the forest to a predator.

Answer

It uses a simile to compare the roots to fingers.

Answer

It creates a consistent, threatening tone throughout the description.

Answer

It relies on literal descriptions to convey the setting.

Question 5

Which of the following vocabulary choices is most effective for creating a sense of decay in a descriptive passage?

Answer

The vibrant, shining walls.

Answer

The sturdy, pristine structure.

Answer

The ancient, historic building.

Answer

The crumbling, putrid masonry.