Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE
Now look at this explanation of the way the writer achieves her effect. Do you agree with it? We get a clear picture of the impression this man makes because of the writer’s carefully chosen adjectives. She describes his eyes vividly as milky blue. Milk is associated with innocence and childhood. Using an unusual expression like milky blue emphasises the gentle, trusting qualities of the man. Choosing adjectives such as dreamy and peaceful strengthens the impression the man gives of being accepting and placid.
How did the writer meet Simon? As you read, underline any words you don’t understand.
My special friend
Choose one of the other examples from exercise 46 and try to write about it in the same way.
48 Writing your own description Each of us is unique. No one has exactly the same face, hands, hair, body or voice as anyone else. Even identical twins are said to have different ears! 16
Choose a friend to describe. Don’t try to describe everything about him/her. Concentrate on a few special characteristics which convey your friend’s uniqueness. For example, he/she may have beautiful, well-shaped hands, a melodious voice, sparkling eyes. Try to link physical characteristics to character traits. Remember, use adjectives and colour images selectively. Don’t overdo them. Use clauses to make your writing more mature. Write about 75 words.
Feedback Read your description aloud to your group. Listen carefully to the feedback. (Criticisms should be positive!) Are there any changes you would like to make after hearing the comments?
1.5 Someone I admire 49 Example description Read this article which was sent to a teenage magazine running a series called ‘Special Friends’.
I’d like to describe my friend Simon. Simon is a complex mixture of frankness and reserve. He is small, slight and rather studious-looking. His gentle, golden-brown eyes are hidden behind a large pair of black-framed glasses. Simon is very neat and particular in everything he does. Even his books and pencils are always arranged in perfect order on his desk! I admire Simon because he used to be painfully shy. He’s never been interested in sport or smart clothes and he often shops in secondhand shops. The other students used to think he was scruffy and gave him the nickname ‘ugly duckling’. One day, however, he decided he wasn’t going to let his shyness crush him. He had to try to be himself. He began to open out and make friends. Simon is a very trustworthy and straightforward friend. When I was worried about an operation I had to have, he helped me talk through my fears. I gradually got the confidence to ask the doctors for a proper explanation. I learned from Simon that it is better to face your fears than to hide them. I know I’m really a lucky person because I have a good friend on whom I can always rely.