Writing question
Use the image below to inspire a piece of descriptive or narrative (story) writing. Answers not based on the image will be penalised.
Practise this exact question with personalised feedback on your writing.
Understand the task
Observe the stone bridge image before choosing narrative or description. Ground the response in identifiable visual details so the writing clearly answers the picture task.
- visual stimulus interpretation
- imagery
- focus
- organisation
Requirements to keep in mind
Write descriptive or narrative prose based on the image; unrelated answers are penalised.
Plan your response
- Make the stone bridge, stream, hills and dark sky central.
- Choose either a descriptive piece or a clear story.
- Use contrasts between bright greenery and threatening clouds.
- Bring the setting to life through sound and touch.
- Keep the plot believable within the pictured location.
Check your response against the task requirements. Leave time to review sentence clarity, punctuation and spelling.
Original atoply example response
Written by atoply, not an official school answer or mark scheme. Other successful responses are possible.
Reveal example and teaching notes
The Bridge Before the Rain
The bridge looked as though it had been waiting for centuries. Its weathered stones arched over a narrow river, while bright green hills rose on either side. Above them, thunderclouds gathered like a dark curtain being pulled across the sky.
I had followed the river for an hour, hoping to find the old crossing Grandad had described. Now that I stood before it, I was uncertain whether I should continue. Water hurried beneath the arches, turning silver wherever the last sunlight touched it.
Halfway across, I noticed something caught between two stones in the parapet: a small brass key. I prised it loose. A faded blue ribbon had been tied around its handle, and on the metal were three scratched letters: E. M. W.
The first raindrop struck my wrist. Then another.
On the far bank, almost hidden among the bushes, stood a tiny stone building with a wooden door. Its lock was old and round, exactly the shape of my key.
I hesitated. The air smelled of wet earth, and the river gurgled impatiently below. I could turn back before the storm reached me—or discover why someone had hidden a key on this lonely bridge.
I crossed the last few stones, my shoes tapping sharply against them. Behind me, thunder rumbled. Ahead, the door waited.
Learn from the example
- Concrete details build an impression of the subject. Notice how those choices work together rather than reading as a list of general adjectives.
- The viewpoint controls what the reader notices. Choose details and an order that sustain the task's requested perspective and atmosphere.