AS level English – Paper 2, Composition
Description of a forest
Tips: Setting is usually where, when, what you would see, smell, hear, when you were there.
It may include the general time period, should include time of day, the weather, the general
surroundings, etc. If it starts out in the forest, it might go something like...
"There was a cool breeze whistling through the tree branches overhead. The light of the
moon poked through in splotches onto the rocks and pine needles scattered throughout the
forest. The only sound was the wind."
Something like that, anyway. You're the creator, so just tell us what you see, hear, smell,
feel in the world you are creating. Bring us with you.
Another example: The full moon gleamed in the pitch black sky of the night, in a distance
owls chattered loudly sending chills down her spine. As she moved cautiously through the
deserted forest, twigs cracked under her feet placing fright in her every step, beads of sweat
gathered on her forehead. The wind whistled over her and she could feel her own fright
consuming her bit by bit. The tall trees made eerie shadows on the ground. Where she
stood, the silhouette of swaying branches printed a picture in her mind that hands were
about to grab her from behind......
Deception
Copyright © 2008 Marta Tyczkowska
Can you trust someone that has taken the only person you have left in your life away from
you? What would you do if you found your future cursed, by evil spirits? I found out that
nothing would be the same on that cold winter day in Ireland.
Moving to Ireland was the hardest thing I had to do. Leaving everyone behind. I felt
secluded, alone, and an outcast of some sort. Faces would greet me, but I felt like I was
trapped in my own body unable to say anything. Unable to be polite to those who tried to be
nice. My thoughts were scattered like pebbles found on the bottom of a small creek, all
different sizes and shapes.
"Marianne! Snap out of it!" I looked up, it was Tim, My stepmothers nephew. He stayed with
my father and I when we moved here. He was good company at times, and not bad looking
either. Tall with dark brown hair, and slightly tan, from all the work he does outside near the
cottage. " Marianne you’ve been zoning out for the past ten minutes." He’s voice quite
impatient. " I’m sorry, I’m still trying to get use to this whole moving here. It’s different, kind
of takes over your mind." I got up from the rock I was sitting on out looking the ocean that
was in front of our cottage. " Its so peaceful here. Seems like everything is in place." Tim
looked at me in a strange way, then again he always gives me strange looks. Must get it from
his aunt.
Tim went straight to his room and his craftwork. Building castles and little figurines to go
along with it. My father was in the kitchen doing some paper work. "Marianne. How do you
like it here?" Without looking up to meet his eyes, I mumbled, " It’s alright." Dad got up
from his chair and walked towards me. " Darling, don’t worry. Soon you will find new
friends and meet new people." He walked over to the door and slipped on his jacket. " I’m
going for a walk. I’ll be home soon." With that, the wind slammed the door behind him,
making my heart jump a little. I walked into the sitting room where Abigail was knitting a
scarf for dad. She was humming to herself rocking back and forth on the chair that creaked
with each rock. " Marianne, sit here near the fire. You look very exhausted." I played with the
ring on my finger, " No, I’m just walking around aimlessly." She put down her knitting and
poured herself a hot cup of dark coffee. " Where’s my crazy nephew Tim?" She asked with
sarcasm in her voice. " Oh he’s probably working on his crafts." I walked over the fireplace
watching the wood crackle with the heat of the fire. "Marianne, you seem bored. Why don’t
you go visit Tim." I looked down the hall were Tim’s bedroom was. " I don’t want to disturb
his artwork." Abigail looked at me and laughed, "Darling’ nothing could disturb Tim’s
artwork, go now." I walked out of the room and walked down the small hallway to Tim’s
living quarters.
I tapped on the door twice. " Tim, It’s Marianne, may I come in?" I heard his clumsy feet
brush the floor as he opened it. " Hey, Sure come in." I walked in slowly as I made my way to
a dusty bench in the corner of his room. " You do a lot in here. Its actually kind of cool." Tim
seemed very pleased and started rambling about the things he does. I zoned out again.
"Marianne, have you heard a word I’ve said?" I looked up at him a little dazed. "Yes I was
listening." He laughed cause he knew I wasn’t listening. " Tim, do you think that sometimes
…" I stopped before I said something that would make me look like a fool. " Sometimes this
place was possessed? Dark? Haunted?" Tim quickly responded, "Yea all the time." I looked
at him as if he knew exactly what I was saying. " Why do you think so Tim?" He walked over
the dusty bookshelf and was fumbling through a stack of old papers. " Ah. Here. Read this.
Supposedly something terrible happened here. Or close to here." I took the old papers from
him. " What is all this?" Tim sat near me as I read it. The newspaper titled, " Body found near
Mask Cliffs." As I read on, a sudden chill hit me that made me shiver. " Marianne, are you
ok?" I looked back at the paper, " Yes I’m fine. Probably a draft from your window that all." I
put the newspaper back on his shelf. " It seems a little odd don’t you think?" Tim shrugged.
Attempt ONE of the two questions from the June 2011 AS Level English Question paper.