Writing task
Section B: Creative Writing — Question 2 (option 2). The question refers to this relevant passage from the preceding extract (lines 8–10):
“The mud lay thick upon the stones, and a black mist hung over the streets; the rain fell sluggishly down, and everything felt cold and clammy to the touch. It seemed just the night when it befitted such a being as Fagin to be abroad.”
Writing question:
“In the passage, London is presented in a negative light. Write a description or story in which a character travels, portraying the character and place in a positive way. You could choose a city, or the countryside or the coast, or a place of your own choice. Your character does not have to be a man.”
Section directions: “You should spend around 25 minutes on this section. You are reminded of the importance of clear and accurate written English and of careful presentation in your answer. All questions carry equal marks. Start your answer on a new sheet of paper and write your name at the top.” The selected question is worth 22 marks.
Practise this exact question with personalised feedback on your writing.
Understand the task
A Journey Through a Welcoming Landscape is a positive setting description task that tests positive mood, movement through setting, sensory language. Make the uplifting atmosphere specific through movement, interactions and sensory detail.
- positive mood
- movement through setting
- sensory language
- character viewpoint
Requirements to keep in mind
Recommended writing time: approximately 25 minutes (as indicated in the paper/section); Writing marks: 22 (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
- Make the uplifting atmosphere specific through movement, interactions and sensory detail.
- 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 train curved along the coast and the sea appeared suddenly between the hills. Bright fishing boats rocked in the harbour, and gulls wheeled above the pale roofs. When Sophie stepped onto the platform, warm air carried the smell of bread from a bakery nearby. A woman helped her lift her suitcase down the steps, then pointed towards the harbour path. The town seemed to welcome her through a hundred small gestures: a waved greeting, a bell over a shop door, flowers spilling from window boxes. For the first time in weeks, Sophie slowed her pace.
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.