DESCRIPTION
A
description is something that tells you what, who, how something or
someone is. Description is the foremost important discourse to learn. If you
practice describing something it will definitely help you in all other
discourses such as story, biography, essay, letter, report, speech, profile etc.
Regarding examinations, you will be provided some clues, cues or hints in the
question. Concentrate on describing the hints given. A description can be
written either in first person or in third person according to the context and
situation.
Read the question given carefully. Do some rough work.
Think of some question regarding the person, place, idea, scene or situation
given for description; why, whose, whom, who, what, where, when, which, how,
how far, how old etc., and write sentences to answer the questions. Organize
them into a few paragraphs. Give a title and a caption if possible.
Add some connectors or linkers like as, such, first,
last, finally, but, or, and, so, and use proper pronouns to make the passage
more accurate. Try to answer using the key words or clues supplied in the
question and include in your description.
There are different kinds of
descriptions. Title is a common feature of the description. Let’s have a look into some descriptions.
A.
|
A title and caption
will make your description more attractive and interesting. |
B. Description of feelings
C. Description of a place
D. Description of an
object/animal
E. Description of an event
F. Description of a process
and many more
A.
Description of a person:
In description
of a person we describe the details such as who and what the person is, the
physical appearance, character, societal status, personal impressions,
achievements, style of behavior, facial complexion, attributes etc.
Physical
appearance:
When describing physical appearance, one should give
details in the following order:
A. height / build / age
B. facial features
C. hair
D. clothes
Height / build /age:
Height of people: short, medium height, tall, small
(children)
Build of people: thin, slim, well-built (muscular),
plump, overweight, crooked etc.
Age of people: young (child, teenager), middle – aged,
old
Facial
features:
Face: round, oval, square etc.
Eyes: slanting, almond – shaped
Nose: crooked, upturned, and curved
Lips:
thin, full, pink
Complexion: tanned, pale, wrinkled, and freckled,
Types of
faces: round, oval, diamond and square.
Hair:
Short curly brown hair or straight long blond hair
Haircuts and
styles: parting, in a ponytail, spiky, bobbed
Clothes
special features: elegant, formal, casual
Character
(personality): While describing character and behaviour we
may use reserved, verbose, aggressive, sensitive, rude, fresh, elegant, cool,
sarcastic etc.
E.g. 1.
SHRAVAN KUMAR
Shravankumar is a tall, slim man. He has got an oval
face, black eyes and an upturned nose. He wears a bowler hat under that his
long curly hair parted slightly to the left.
He has got blue eyes with a lovely look in them. He wears always smile
on his face. I have never seen him angry. He often casually dresses in a pair
of trousers and T-shirt. He is aggressive sometimes but looks very cool many a
time. You will be happy with him while speaking to him. He is a well-mannered
person.
B.
Description of
feelings:
Description of feelings can be written
in first person or third person. But first-person description of feelings is
more common and attractive. This is the most commonly asked description in
examinations. It is how a person felt and thought of himself/herself when they
faced something a good or bad incident. It would be more interesting if you can
feel yourself as if the character. When you feel as if the character, you can
write it in first person view. For instance, we can write the feelings of Nick
Vujicic after a futile attempt of suicide. Use suitable vocabulary to maintain
the mood of the situation.
E.g.:
How lucky
am I!
(Feelings
of Nick in first person)
Today I felt cold and bitter for my
inability. Many students of my school laughed at me. They are always teasing me
and bullying. I am unable to bear it. Why god had made me like this? I want to
commit suicide. If there is no strength why should I keep living? But my
attempt was unsuccessful. Luckily my mother found me immediately in the bath
tub and pulled me out. I cried and asked her why she had saved me.
My mother told me “No
two people are equal on this earth. Everyone is born for a purpose. One should
know the purpose of life. You are differently able but you can do miracles. We
will support you all the way to your life as long as we alive.”
And that pacified me
and the grief out of my heart. Now I got confidence that I can do something. I
have to try and know myself. My father has been making me learn swimming,
typing and my mother invented a device that helps me write something. They
arranged me an electric wheel chair and a team of carers for me. I have got
great parents. Why should I die? No, I am lucky enough to have such parents. I
should realize and make their dreams come true. I never think of something that
I don’t have rather concentrate on something that I have. How lucky am I!
C.
Description of a place:
While describing a place concentrate on the images,
sensory perceptions, location etc. Think of a few questions; What is the place
special about? Where is it located? How does it look like? Are there any
historical details? What is it famous for? How the people live there? Etc.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
This city is well known for …
The views are …
It’s got…
The atmosphere is …
You can see…
You shouldn’t miss …
It’s located in …
It’s close to…
It’s far away from …
What I don’t like about it is …
The good thing about this place is …
A popular tourist attraction is …
It’s popular with tourists because…
Warangal is
the well-known city for the bravery of Kakatiya dynasty. It’s not far away from
Hyderabad, just 120 kilometers. The views of Fort Warangal which is called as
Ekashilanagar as it consists of a solitary rocky mountain along with a temple
and a small lake on it. One shouldn’t miss the Thousand Pillars Temple, Musical
Garden, Ramappa Temple and the Lake in Palampet. The good thing about this
place is the people of this city are really warm-hearted.
E.g. 2. MY LEGENDARY HOUSE
D.
Description of an
object/animal:
In description
of an object we describe where it is, how it looks like (shape, size, colour),
what it is used for etc.
E.g.
MY BEAUTIFUL BUREAU
It’s a beautiful bureau having four
little lion hind legs to bear the burden, painted grey and silver combination.
The entire bureau is made up of the original teak wood which was taken from the
local forest. It brings beauty to my hall in the center occupying exactly 5x5
square shaped area. on the top with some beautiful designs drawn. Between the
top and the legs some designed shelves, some colourful sketches here and there.
Everyone who witnesses my bureau asks for the information where and how I bring
it to home.
E. Description
of an event:
Use details of
that event such as what the event is, where it is taking place, the persons or
things involved, the order of events to describe an event. (Connecting words: first, then, next, after
that, finally and time indicators)
E.g. Observing
Children’s Day
F.
Description of
process:
While
describing a process the sequence of the process is important and the details
to be covered. Use simple present to narrate the
sequence of the process.
E.g.
Banana milk shake
Here are some more model questions and their solutions:
1.
In the lesson ‘I will do it’
Narayana Murthy’s friends went to join IIT. But Mr. Murthy returned home from
railway station after wishing them luck. Now write the feelings of Mr.
Narayana Murthy after his friends left to Bangalore.
There
is something behind it
(Feelings of Murthy in first person)
I may be an unlucky person
now, as I am unable to join with my friends in IIT at Bangalore. But one day
everyone feel that I am the luckiest person on this earth. Ours is a poor
family and the only bread winner is my father. How could he manage the family? So,
I have understood my father and his inability of finance and decided to do
something that I could do better here within the limitations.
But one day I
will become something better than my friends. I must. And it is sure that even
my elders learnt something from me. They used to clear their doubts by asking
me. It is clear that success begins with a fellow’s will. For that I have to
work hard keeping my limitations in view. When I become a successful person, I
have to do something for the welfare of the children like me who are unable to
study at their interests lacking the money.
Before that I
must join in some college here in Mysore and try to make the best in studies. Meanwhile
I have to do something to meet my own expenses. I decided that I must become a
successful person for that I have to work as hard as I could do.
2. In the lesson ‘Dear
Departed’ Abel Merry Weather came to know that his daughters’ greediness and
decided to get married. Now describe the feelings of Abel before his
decision to marry Shorrocks.
I must
teach them a lesson
(Feelings of Mr. Abel before taking marriage decision in first person)
Yes. I have come to an understanding that my children thought that I
have died. There is nothing in it. But what happened? They forgot my funeral
and mourning and started dividing things between them. More over my baby, Melia
pinched my things. My son in law wore my slippers. Even Lizzy is quarrelling to
share things. So, they will be happy if I die and they are awaiting it to
happen.
At
this age I must have a companion to look after me not my things and property.
Earlier I thought of getting married and living together with my children. Till
now I haven’t told them. But they made me amazed. Now I have to make them
astonished and teach them a lesson. They don’t need me. But they are interested
in my things and property.
I
would reveal that I am going to marry. They may ask me to whom I will get to
marry. Then I will clear that I am going to marry to Mrs. John Shorrocks, who
keeps Ring-O-Bell. How would they react? I have to take three decisions
immediately and announce them. First, I have to tell them that I am going to pay
the insurance premium. Second, they come to know the alteration of my will.
Then finally I must reveal the secret of my marriage.
Finally, I have another
thought but I don’t reveal it. If they attend the marriage on Monday, I will
alter my will including their names with Shorrocks.
3.
Describe the feelings of Mrs. Amelia Slater after seeing her father lying
dead on bed.
D-Day came!
(The feelings of Amelia Slater in first person)
What happened to
my father? Is he alive or dead? I called him many a time but no response. He
might have died. Every day he had his meal with us. But today he has not come
down for dinner. No doubt he was dead. First of all, I have to tell my hubby
and ask him to send message to my sister, Elizabeth. We have been waiting for
this for a long time.
Before Lizzy
comes here, we would take things like, the bureau, the clock, the slippers etc.
If she arrives, she never let them for us easily. For them we will drive a hard
bargain. If she asks about the bureau, I will tell her that we bought it
somewhere else. My husband, Slater, has a pair of worn out slippers. Here is
the new pair of slippers of my father. I ask him to wear them on. The beautiful
clock always appeals me. But I haven’t asked my father. Now it’s mine. I will
take it and place it on the mantelpiece.
No, I shouldn’t
waste the time. Time is precious. I have to tell my husband to wear new
mourning and send him to post office. Then immediate I’ll call my baby,
Victoria. She has gone to play out in the garden. She is in colours. I have to
order her to be in black. I must go immediately. Oh! My poor father! D-day
came. D-day came.
4: World famous
Environmental Activist and Nobel Prize winner, Wangari Maathai is from Africa.
As you know, she started the Green Belt Movement in the rural areas of Africa
against deforestation. Recollect the information you’ve got from her interview
to NHK Radio and write a description of her activities. You may include
these points in your description.
-
Problems identified.
-
Causes for the problem.
-
Motivation to men and women.
-
Transformations brought.
-
Message spread to the world.
THE GREEN BELT MOVEMENT
(Wangari Maathai)
(In third person)
Wangari Maathai is a woman from Africa,
the Dark Continent, but with her attitude towards the environment made her the
symbol of women empowerment. She is the first African woman to win the Nobel
Peace Prize by making the environment peaceful with the Green Belt Movement in
the rural areas of Africa against deforestation.
Initially her team
identified the problems of the rural areas. They identified that clean drinking
water, food; energy (firewood), building material, and fodder for animals are
the major problems for the people. Then they started trying to respond to these
basic needs. They understood that the degradation of the environment is the
main cause for their problems and every problem is connected with the
environment. Then they started to motivate the men and women by conductivity
debates and making them to learn the importance of the environment. Her team
made the moment to learn how to sow the saplings. When they grow thy get all
that they need.
There are three major
transformations are taken place by her movement. The first one is that the
ordinary illiterate women because empowered and it is the powerful one. The
next is landscape. The entire environment is rehabilitated and restored. The
final transformation is the ability to fight for their rights.
The Green Belt Movement gave a
message to the world – Plant a tree plant hope. Everything is connected with
the environment so reforestation surely brings the peace. And this movement
taught us the importance of ‘dialogue’ instead of fights.
5: In the lesson “The Dear Departed”, Mrs. Slater planned to bring down
the bureau and the clock. Victoria said, “These are grandpa’s bureau and
clock”. Mrs. Slater said, “Be Quiet, these are ours now”. What may be the
feelings of Victoria? Describe feelings of Victoria.
Your description should reflect
these ideas - Who was Victoria? - in what relation she was with ‘Abel Merry
Weather’ - her attitude towards her grandpa etc.
Victoria’s Feelings
(In first person)
I am Victoria, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Slater, surprised at my parents’ behaviour. What happened to them? My
loving grandfather was lying dead upstairs. Everyone is in mourning today.
Mum said that
Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Ben are coming to speak on poor grandparents’ affairs.
They haven’t been here for a long time. Do they really come? My mother and aunt
were quarreled long ago. Now instead of feeling sad my parents are stealing
bits of things of my grandfather. Poor grandfather! He couldn’t see them. But
why they are stealing them now? What should I do?
When I asked them about the
bureau and the clock, they shouted at me to be calm. How could I stop them
stealing things? I am just a kid. Is it fair to steal things?
Please God! Save
my Grandfather!
6. In
the lesson ‘My childhood’ Abdul Kalam got humiliated in the classroom. After
returning home, he told his father about the humiliation.
Now imagine
yourself as Abdul Kalam and narrate / describe your thoughts.
See that your
narration includes these points:
About your
friendship with Ramanadha Sastry
About the man who
humiliated you
About the way you
have been humiliated
About your father’s
response
Your feelings on
humiliation
Your reflection on
humiliation
The day I was humiliated
(Kalam’s feelings in first person)
I, Abdul Kalam, am a student even more a kid.
Ramanadha Sastry is one of my best friends. We are from different religious but
never thought of that.
What happened in the classroom today? The new teacher
asked me to sit in the last row instead of sitting behind my Brahmin friend,
Ramanadha Sastry. Why the teacher
couldn’t stomach our friendship? I was really humiliated by the teacher and
cried a lot. We both told our respective parents the same. My father felt
unhappy and worried. He understood my feelings and pacified me.
Why this humiliation? Aren’t all humans the same? Why
shouldn’t a Muslim boy sit behind a Brahmin Hindu boy? I never understand the difference. Even our
parents never showed such difference between us. They encouraged us to be
friends. But being an educated a teacher couldn’t stomach it, why?
At the end we are happy that the teacher has been
changed his behavior after speaking to Laxmana Sastry, Ramanadha Sastry’s
father. We are really thankful to Laxmana Sastry for his religious tolerance
for changing our new teacher’s attitude.
7. World famous Environmental Activist and
Nobel Prize winner, Wangari Mathai, is from Africa. She started the green Belt
movement in the rural areas of Africa against deforestation. Recollect the
information you have got from her interview to NHK Radio and write a description
of her activities.
You may include …
Problems identified
Causes for the
problem
Motivation to men
and women
Transformations
brought
Message given to
the world
The
Green Belt Movement
(Third person description)
Wangari Maathai led the Green Belt Movement and also fought for
equal rights for women in Africa. She is the first African woman to win the
Nobel Peace Prize.
She along with her team identified basic needs such as clean
drinking water, food, energy, building material, and fodder for animals as the
problems of the rural area people. All these come from the land. As environment
is degraded these problems are raised. So, they decided to do something with
the environment. To solve the problem the team thought of the four important
things -peace, good governance, sustainable management of
resources and development.
They started to motivate the people to plant trees around them. They
trained the women to plant trees as they do in their farms. They learnt it
quickly and it made all the difference. Hence, they were called ‘Foresters
without Diplomas.’ The team taught the people how to govern themselves as a
part of civic education.
With this movement there came huge changes in the lives of the
African rural area people. The three transformations brought are…
1.
The ability of an ordinary
illiterate woman to get to understand and to be able to plant trees that in
five or ten years get to fulfill her basic needs.
2.
The other is the transformation
of the landscape.
3.
The last transformation is that
the willingness of the people to fight for their rights.
For Wangari Maathai the greatest activity is to plant a tree. A tree
is a wonderful symbol for the environment and when we plant a tree, we plant
hope. We plant the future for ourselves, for our children, for the birds. We
plant something that will last, long after we are gone. Vegetation is the
solution for many problems in the world.
Practice Questions:
1.
In the lesson “Every Success
Story is also a Story of Great Failures”, you have read that Thomas Edison lost
his factory in fire accident. It was worth a few million dollars. Edison took
it very positively and said, “There is great value in disaster. All our
mistakes are burnt up. Thank God. We can start anew.”
Imagine yourself as Thomas Edison and
describe how the accident took place and your feelings when you watched
your lifetime efforts go up in smoke.
2.
You have read the story of Nick
Vujicic who is born with no arms and legs. He was teased and bullied by others.
Sometimes he was hurt and depressed deeply.
Now write a description of Nick’s feelings and experiences.
Your description should include…
·
Uniqueness of appearance
·
How he manages daily chores
·
How he thinks of himself
·
Attempts to commit suicide
·
Inspired by news article and
changed himself etc.
3.
You have read the story, “The
Brave Potter”. The next day the potter returned from the forest he found the
tiger tide to the tree in front of his house. Now describe the thoughts
of the potter when he saw the tiger under the tree.
4.
World famous Environmental
Activist and Nobel Prize winner, Wangari Maathai is from Africa. As you know,
she started the Green Belt Movement in the rural areas of Africa against
deforestation. Recollect the information you’ve got from her interview to NHK
Radio and write a description of her activities. You may include these
points in your description.
·
Problems identified
·
Causes for the problem
·
Motivation to men and women
·
Transformations brought
·
Message spread to the world
5.
In the lesson, ‘Attitude is
altitude’, you have read about a great motivational speaker, Nick Vujicic. He
was born without limbs. In his childhood he was often sad about his disability.
There was so much that was impossible for him. Sometimes he wanted to kill
himself. When he was 13, he read a newspaper article about a disabled man who
had managed to achieve great things and helped others. Then there was a change
in his attitude. Now describe the thoughts of Nick after going through
the above-mentioned newspaper article. You may use the following ideas…
·
Problems faced by Nick in
school
·
Get inspired
·
Future plans
·
Decisions taken
6.
Describe the thoughts of Abdul
Kalam while he was going to Ramanathapuram to pursue higher studies. You may
include his thoughts regarding …
·
First time separation from his
parents
·
Setting a goal
·
Working hard
·
Adjusting to the new
environment
·
His needs etc.
7.
In the lesson, ‘Every Success
Story is Also a Story of great Failures’, after failing many times in
congressional race and senatorial race Abraham Lincoln was elected President of
United States.
Imagine and describe
his thoughts after becoming the President about his interest in politics, his
attempts and confidence to win. Howl he was motivated to stay fixed on his goal
its achievement in his political journey, his future plans, etc.
8.
One day Thomas Edison came home
with a note in his pocket from his teacher. The note says, “Your Tommy is too
stupid to learn, get him out of the school.” His mother was shocked. Now describe
the feelings of his mother.
9.
In the lesson ‘The Storeyed
House’ we read about Bayaji’s dream of building a storeyed house remains
unfulfilled due to the fire, the turmoil that Bayaji undergoes to save the
house and finally Bayaji collapses amidst his family members. Now describe
the feelings of the eldest son and his determination to fulfill his father’s
desire.
10.
World famous environmental
activist and Nobel Prize winner, Wangari Maathai is from Africa. As you know,
she started the Green Belt Movement in the rural areas of Africa against
deforestation. Recollect the information you’ve got from her interview to NHK
Radio and write a description of her activities. You may include
these points to your description: Problems identified – Causes for the problem
– Motivation to men and women – Transformations brought – Message spread to the
world.
11.
In the lesson “Journey” the
narrator allowed his father to carry his luggage up to the bus-stop. Afar
reaching his working place, he sat leisurely and started reflecting on the
issue. He felt very much ashamed of letting his father carry the luggage for him.
Now write a likely description focusing on the inner feelings of
the narrator.
12.
You have read the article about
Nick Vujicic in the lesson ‘Attitude is Altitude.’ Now write a brief description
about Nick. You may mention the details of Nick’s physical features, attitude
towards the success, behavior, work and his motto.
13.
In the lesson “I will do it’
Narayana Murthy’s friends went to join IIT. But Mr. Murthy returned home from
railway station after wishing them luck. Now write the feelings of Mr.
Narayana Murthy after his friends left to Bangalore.
14.
In the lesson ‘Dear Departed’
Abel Merry Weather came to know that his daughters’ greediness and decided to
get married. Now describe the feelings of Abel before his
decision to marry Shorrocks.
15.
Describe the feelings of Mrs. Amelia Slater after seeing her father lying
dead on bed.
16.
Describe the bravery incident of the potter in the battle field in the
lesson ‘The Brave Potter.’
17.
Describe the incident happened in the poem, ‘Abandoned.’
18.
World famous Environmental
Activist and Nobel Prize winner, Wangari Mathai, is from Africa. She started
the green Belt movement in the rural areas of Africa against deforestation.
Recollect the information you have got from her interview to NHK Radio and write
a description of her activities.
You may include …Problems identified, causes
for the problem, motivation to men and women Transformations brought, Message
given to the world
19.
You have read the article on
Nick Vujicic, who was born with no arms and legs. Being differently-able
person, he was teased, bulled and deeply depressed. Now write a ‘description’
of his feelings and experiences. The description should include
Uniqueness
of appearance… How does he manage daily chores?... What does he think of himself?...
Committing suicide attempts… Inspirational article… Changed his life and how he
inspired people
20.
In the lesson ‘My childhood’
Abdul Kalam got humiliated in the classroom. After returning home, he told his
father about the humiliation.
Now imagine yourself as Abdul Kalam
and narrate/describe your thoughts.
See that your narration includes
these points: About your friendship with
Ramanadha Sastry.
About the man who humiliated
you… About the way you have been
humiliated
About your father’s response… Your feelings on humiliation, Your reflection
on humiliation
21.
In the morning the village
officers visited the place to record the facts of the accident. ‘Bayaji’s death
was the result of an accident due to a petromax flare up’ was their conclusion.
Imagine
yourself as one of the relative who came for his house warming ceremony. Describe
your feelings about the incident.
22.
In the lesson ‘The Dear
Departed’ you have read about two sisters Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan. Now describe
the characters of the sisters by the following hints:
Selfish
women – no reliable affection in them – grab their father’s belongings –
domination over their husbands – quarrel some sister – mean and greedy – to do
any amount of straight talking to get their own way – ill-treated their father
– finally shocked by their father’s decision.
23.
In the lesson ‘Every Success
Story is also a Story of Great Failure’ you have read that Thomas Edison lost
his factory in fire. It was worth a few million dollars. Edison took it very
positively and said, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are
burnt up. Thank God we can start anew.”
Imagine
yourself as Thomas Edison and describe how the accident took place and
your feelings when you watched your lifetime efforts go up in smoke.
24.
In the lesson ’the storeyed
house’, we read about Bayaji’s dream of building a storeyed house remains
unfulfilled due to the fire, the turmoil that Bayaji undergoes to save the
house and finally he collapses amidst his family members. Describe the
feelings of the eldest son and his determination to fulfill his father’s
desire. (TS – SSC March 2016)
25.
Imagine you attended the house
warming ceremony of Bayaji. Write a description about how it was
celebrated. You may use the following ideas.
·
Bayaji built a house in spite
of threats
·
Invited guests and Bhujaba and
his followers
·
During house warming ceremony,
Bayaji’s new house flared, taking the life of Bayaji
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