Page 5: Model Answer for Question 5
This page provides a model answer for Question 5 of the Grade 9 English Language Paper 1 model answers.
Model Answer Excerpt:
"The ancient oak loomed before me, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. I hesitated, my breath catching in my throat as I gazed up at its imposing silhouette against the twilight sky. Something about this tree felt... different. Wrong, somehow. As if it didn't belong in this world.
A whisper of movement caught my eye, and I froze. There, nestled in the twisted roots, was a small, shimmering doorway. It pulsed with an otherworldly light, beckoning me closer. My heart raced as I took a tentative step forward, drawn by an inexplicable urge to touch it, to see where it might lead..."
Highlight: This excerpt demonstrates strong descriptive skills and builds tension effectively.
Key features of the model answer:
- Vivid sensory details create a clear mental image
- Varied sentence structures maintain reader engagement
- Use of literary devices (simile, personification) enhances description
- The mysterious element is introduced gradually, building suspense
Example: The phrase "skeletal fingers" uses a simile to create a vivid and slightly unsettling image.
This model answer provides a benchmark for students aiming for top grades in the November 2020 English Language Paper 1 model answers.