Create Sentences with Details, Details, Details!

Exercise 1 

From each set of words in brackets choose the one word or phrase which most effectively conveys the heat of the scene being pictured:

Beneath the glaring sun the land was brown.  Blades of grass, shrunk by the hot rays, clung to the crumbling, scorched soil. Even to move was an effort. The slightest motion was enough to cause a sweat, but even perspiration was forced away almost instantly by the strong  heat.

Exercise 2 

Some words have been left out in the following sentences. From each group in brackets, choose the word or phrase that most effectively suggests the idea of noise.

1 Thunder banged off the mountains. The howling of the wind as it zoomed through the narrow valleys was almost drowned out by the beating  of huge raindrops on the rocky ground.

2 The clatter  of broken glass woke him. He listened intently and heard the slight screech of a hinge as a door slowly opened. There was the faintest tapping scrape of a shoe on the wooden floor of the hall.

3. She was startled at first by the harsh  squawk of a sea gull. The distant clatter  of the sea and the moan of the gentle breeze through the palms lulled her.

Exercise 3 

From each set of words in brackets choose the one word or phrase which most effectively conveys the scene being pictured:

Bright lights glowed  amusingly through the evening darkness. The steady brightness  of the larger lights was reinforced by the sparkle of an array of cheerful smaller ones chasing  each other in a lively, never-ending race. The roar of conversation, the crack of glasses, and the stench of steaming food all  drifted enticingly across the still night air.

Exercise 4 

Here is a short descriptive passage. From each group in brackets, choose the word or phrase that most effectively fills each gap. Bear in mind the impression the writer is trying to give.

The face, in the brief instant when the lightning flashed, was like some hideous carving. The forehead was topped with a clump of hair which glittered in the light. The lower part of the face was covered by a/an wild, untidy clump of wiry beard. The eyes, deep-set under thick brows,  glittered evilly as they caught the light. Mark’s heart pounded in fear at the sight. Lightning flickered again.