Picture stimulus
Open the original picture in the source paper before planning your response. It opens in a separate tab so you can keep this task alongside it.
View the original picture (PDF page 9)Writing task
Use the accompanying image as inspiration. Write a story that starts with this exact sentence: “The garden seemed to continue for miles.”
Use the accompanying image stimulus for this task.
Time: 30 minutes (as indicated for this published task).
Marks: 25.
Practise this exact question with personalised feedback on your writing.
Understand the task
The Garden That Seemed Endless is a picture-stimulus narrative task that tests visual interpretation, setting, plot. Use the image as a springboard; establish location and atmosphere before introducing a discovery.
- visual interpretation
- setting
- plot
- description
Requirements to keep in mind
Recommended writing time: approximately 30 minutes (as indicated in the paper/section); Writing marks: 25 (subject to separately awarded SPaG marks); Published task/option: 2 (where the source offers alternatives, pupils answer the paper's specified number, not all)
Plan your response
- Use the image as a springboard; establish location and atmosphere before introducing a discovery.
- Plan a clear beginning, development and ending within the time available.
- Use precise vocabulary and vary sentence lengths where appropriate.
- Proofread spelling, punctuation and paragraphing before finishing.
Check your response against the task requirements. Leave time to review sentence clarity, punctuation and spelling.
Short atoply teaching example
Written by atoply, not an official school answer or mark scheme. This short illustration shows selected techniques. It does not set a target length or expected mark for the timed task.
Reveal example and teaching notes
The garden seemed to continue for miles. Beyond the stone steps, paths wound between hedges taller than my father, and every turn revealed another patch of bright flowers. There was no birdsong. Even the fountain made no sound. I followed a trail of white pebbles until I reached a small gate hidden beneath roses. A brass plate beside it carried my own name. I touched the letters, wondering who had placed them there. Then, from the other side of the gate, a child spoke in a voice that sounded exactly like mine.
Learn from the example
- The example focuses on one situation, keeping the action easy to follow. Notice how a detail, action or decision moves that situation forward.
- Use the task's requirements to plan the development and ending of your own response; an opening alone does not demonstrate a complete story arc.