写训练方案|写@训练╰C(|)how to describe a place(H毙┌σ蝋习英语毙妆学设计)

When describing a place or building, your composition should include: a) an interesting introduction mentioning the exact location of the place you describe, and the reason for choosing this place, b) a main body where the main aspects of the place (e.g. sights, atmosphere, details about the place, etc) should be analyzed in detail. C) a final paragraph where your feelings about or recommendation of the place or building should be mentioned. We can find descriptions of places as parts of stories, in tourist magazines or brochures, articles, parts of letters etc.

I. Points to Remember

冘 Tenses: You can use various tenses. The choice depends on how the question is set. You can use Present tenses if, for example, you have been asked to describe a place for a tourist brochure. You can use Past tenses if you describe a visit to a place which happened some time ago. You can use conditionals if you describe your dream house, ideal city, etc.

冘 Adjectives: Use a wide variety of factual adjectives ( huge, enormous, etc) and opinion adjectives (fabulous, charming, etc.). Try to avoid using only common ones such as good, nice etc. This will make your composition more interesting and you will catch the readerˇs attention.

冘 Senses: Use your senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) when you describe a place or building to make your description more vivid (e.g. the sweet smell of cakes in the bakerˇs).

冘 Use narrative techniques to start (set the scene) and finish your composition. You can start or finish it by: a) using your senses to describe the weather, the surroundings etc. e.g. Black clouds hung overhead and the wind howled through the trees. Flashes of lightning seemed to tear open the sky giving the old castle a magical appearance. b ) using Direct Speech e.g. ¨Welcome to Castle Carreg,〃 a voice said, as the old heavy wooden door creaked open. c ) asking a rhetorical question e.g. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend the night in an old, haunted castle? d ) describing peopleˇs feelings or reactions about the place. E.g. Though the huge castle on the hill had been empty for over a hundred years, many people claimed to have heard strange noises coming from it late at night. e ) writing a quotation about the place. e.g ¨ An English manˇs home is his castle.〃 f ) creating mystery, suspense or anticipation e.g. As she looked up at the old castle, it seemed as though icy fingers gripped her heart. Had she really experienced all that, or was it her imagination?

II. Organization of the composition

Introduction Paragraph 1

set the scene

( name and location of the place / building, reason(s) for choosing the place / building)

Main Body Paragraphs 2, 3

Overall look and particular details

( Place: sights, facilities, free-time activities

Building: first look and specific details)

Conclusion Final Paragraph

Feelings and final thoughts about the place / building plus recommendation

III. Exercises

1. Read the model and underline the adjectives which make it more interesting. Find examples of how the writer has used the senses or narrative techniques to make the description more vivid. Then, give the outline or the model.

My House

Our house is in a quiet neighborhood in Oakridge. Every time I walk into it, I feel an immediate sense of warmth and security.

It is the most noticeable house in the street because of its colourful garden. There is a long driveway which leads to the house and even before you enter through the old oak front door you can hear the sound of the happy voices of the large family that lives within.

The front door opens into a spacious hall. Downstairs thereˇs a bright kitchen with an open fireplace and a large wooden table where we all sit chatting for hours on winter evenings. The air is usually filled with the delicious smells of my motherˇs cooking. Next to the kitchen is the living room, which is usually untidy as this is the place where we go to relax, watch TV or listen to music. As you go upstairs you can see doors leading to five bedrooms and two bathrooms. My bedroom has an antique four-poster bed and a dressing table next to the window. This is where I wake up every morning to the delightful sound of birds singing and the refreshing smell of coffee from downstairs.

When my friends come to my house they often describe it as a dream house, but to me itˇs just ¨home sweet home〃.

2. Fill in the boxes with phrases from the list, then write a short description as in the example:

sweet smell of popcorn, cluttered desks, sound of pop music, smartly dressed employees, suntanned bodies, strong smell of suntan oil, serious discussions, white plastic sun beds, bright flashing lights, brightly coloured beach towels, cries of worried mothers, telephones ringing, excited crowds, crashing waves, spinning rides, frightening noises from the ghost train, unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke

e.g. The busy office was filled with the sound of telephones ringing and some serious discussions were taking place. Smartly dressed employees sat at their cluttered desks. The unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke filled the place.

3. The two models below describe a famous city. Read them an d decide which is the most successful, and give reasons.

Model A

New York is a very big city and lots of people live there. Lots of people go to see New York when they go on holidays.

There is a lot to see in New York. You can see the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Empire State Building, the World Trade Centre, City Hall, Camegie Hall and the New York Stock Exchange. You can also go to Broadway and Yankee Stadium. If you donˇt want to see any of those you can just walk around. You can also go to a restaurant or a bar or a night club.

New York is very big. It has got a lot of cars and buildings and a lot of people. New York also has a lot of roads and noise.

New York is a very nice city and everyone loves it very much. Everyone must go to New York because it is good and you can see everything there.

Model B

New York City isnˇt a city that can easily be ignored even by the most demanding visitor. Located on the east coast of the United States with a population of over ten million people, it is the destination of thousands of visitors who come every year to experience the excitement of one of the busiest cities in the world.

The most exciting thing about New York is how much there is to see and do there. For sightseers there is the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, while lovers of culture can visit the theatres of Broadway or some of the cityˇs hundreds of art galleries. Alternatively, if you are a sports fan you can even catch a game of baseball at Yankee Stadium. The night life in New York is equally brilliant, with a wide variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to choose from.

New York is a lively and exciting city to visit with something for everyone, and is recommended to anyone seeking fun, variety and adventure.