Introductions for Compositions

Many students have an issue starting a story. Some are abrupt, others use the same sentence
in every composition and others write too long introductions and have lesser time to work on
the themes.

There are many ways to begin a story. Here are a few to help you.

Introductions:

1) Weather
Describing the weather is a great way to start your story. It sets the stage for when the
story takes place. Morning? Afternoon or night time? Is there a thunderstorm brewing or
is it the usual hot, humid day?

Sunrise
The morning’s sunrise was a breathtaking display of radiant colors. Bright streaks
of red, pink, and orange slowly overcame the dark blue and purple of the twilight
sky as all the colors perfectly blended into each other. The sun itself was just
peeking out of the horizon and its brilliant rays already shining brightly and began
to warm the air.

Afternoon
The sun’s rays beat down mercilessly on me as I wiped the perspiration from my
face. It was another muggy day in the small island I called home and I could feel
my clammy shirt sticking to my back. I trudged on home, my large, square
backpack loaded with homework, wearing me down.

Sunset
The sun was slowly going down the horizon. As it slowly descended, the burning
light of the sun got dull and it looked like a huge disc of orange and yellow. The
sun’s orange was mingling with the light blue colour of the sky and it produced a
vast contrast of different colours. It was like watching a screen slowly changing

2) Dialogue
Starting a story with dialogue can also set the stage before the action happens.

The dialogue can be a warning. “Don’t forget to bring your umbrella!” mother yelled
from the kitchen.

It can tell the reader where the setting will take place. “Hurry up!” urged my impatient
younger sister. “All the good spots on the beach are filling up as you stand
looking at yourself in the mirror!”

3) Descriptive start
Describing the setting of the scene is also a great way to begin. It may seem abrupt but
when done correctly, the reader can feel that they are immediately part of the story.
 I heaved my heavy school bag off my shoulder and threw it on the ground. I
watched my homework spill out onto the floor of my cramped 3-room flat but it
did not bother me at all. My total focus was reaching the refrigerator for a cool
glass of Ribena. I lay down on the sofa, shut my eyes and started to relax.

YOUR TURN

Now it’s time for you to practice writing some introduction for a composition based on the
picture shown below.

WEATHER

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DIALOGUE

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DESCRIPTION

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Endings

The way you conclude your story must give the reader a sense of closure. Endings in
compositions suffer the most. Usually because of time factor or no planning, endings can be
abrupt and sudden, causing the reader (mainly your examiner) to feel unsatisfied.

Using some proverbs may be a cliché for upper primary writers but can do well for lower
primary ones. Re-focusing on the theme given at the end can also be a good way to close
your story.

Proverbs
 Don’t cry over spilt milk
 Good things come to those who wait
 Honesty is the best policy
 Once bitten twice shy
 Blood is thicker than water
 Actions speak louder than words
 All good things must come to an end

Mentioning Themes at the end

 The accident taught me an invaluable lesson. It will be a mistake I will never make
again.
 As we watched the sun set, I felt a warm glow around me. It was the best birthday
I had ever had.
 As I received my trophy on stage, I felt a sense of pride in my achievement. I had
stepped up to the plate and overcome the challenge.

EXAMPLE

Consider the following question

Look at several endings for the story.

YOUR TURN

Now it’s time for you to practice writing an ending for a composition based on the picture
shown below. Choose one style from the examples given and write the ending/

ENDINGS

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 Words and Phrases for different scenarios

A happy scenario

a) Introduction
• The sun shone brilliantly and the water in the pond glittered invitingly.
• The sunset was glorious, all rosy and salmon-pink

b) Describing People
• Puffy cheeks/ broad muscular shoulders/ cute button nose/ soft and sweet voice/ with
lovely curls/ long, soft and silky hair/ bright, sparkling eyes

c) Describing happiness
• Her heart was filled with overflowing joy.
• She felt surrounded by angels of joy.
• Her eyes twinkled with happiness.
• She was in high spirits.

d) Idioms
• On cloud nine
• Smack one’s lips
• Over the moon
• Have a whale of a time
• Lend a helping hand
• Greet someone with open arms

e) Proverbs
• A friend in need is a friend indeed
• Every cloud has a silver lining
• Make hay while the sun shines
• Many hands make light work

f) Similes
• As happy as a lark
• As joyful as a fly
• As faithful as a dog
• As gentle as a dove
• As graceful as a swan
• As sharp as a razor
• As bright as a button
• As brilliant as stars

A sad scenario
a) Introduction
• The morning was cold and wet with a brisk wind sweeping the rain across the land
b) Describing sadness/pain in dialogue
• Sobbed
• Moaned
• Lamented
• An expression of acute agony on his face

c) Describing people
• Pale-looking
• Sunken cheeks
• Tremulous voice
• Unkempt hair
• Bloodshot eyes
• Dull, expressionless eyes
• Puffy eyes

d) Idioms
• Be on the rocks
• No laughing matter
• Down in the mouth
• Have the blues
• Get cold feet
• Lose heart
• Bury the hatchet
• Could never see eye to eye

e) Proverbs
• Beggars can’t be choosers
• Its no use crying over spilt milk
• Time and tide wait for no man

f) Similes
• As sad as night
• As mournful as the grave
• As timid as a rabbit
• As calm as death

An Exciting scenario
a) Introduction
• The morning was cold and wet with a brisk wind sweeping the rain across the land
• Black, ominous clouds covered the sky and released a sudden shower

b) Describing excitement/ panic

• Screams and loud cries pierced the air
• Everybody was fleeing frantically
• Horrible screams filled the air
• The scene was chaotic
• The wails of the fire engines could be heard
c) Describing dialogue and exciting phrases
• Stuttered
• Gasped
• Raved
• Shrieked
• A wild shriek of rage
• A fearful peal of thunder
• I was paralysed with fear
• His eyes revolved in terror
• She felt a shiver go down her spine
• See red
• Hit the ceiling
• At the eleventh hour
• Keep a cool head
• Smelt a rat
• At each other’s throats

d) Describing people
• Full of pockmarks
• Bulbous nose
• A screeching voice
• Eyes as red as burning coals

e) Proverbs
• Alls well that ends well
• Out of the frying pan and into the fire

f) Similes
• As angry as a wasp
• As fierce as a lion
• As stubborn as a mule
• As dark as midnight
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Write a story based on the picture below. Your story should be at least 120 words long.

You may make use of the following points

 what the boy was doing out at night
 what the two gangsters wanted
 what happened in the end

You may reorder the points. You may also include other relevant points

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READING COMPREHENSION

The Wild Life

Long before the arrival of Europeans on the Canadian prairie (the wide grasslands of what is
now called Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba), the First Nations people lived in a
harmonious relationship with their natural surroundings. Every item of their culture, from
sewing needles to homes was obtained from nature. Their homes were called teepees and
were like large tents made from the skins of deer. These people - tribes with names like the
Blackfoot, the Peigan and the Blood people - were nomadic, which means that they travelled
from place to place following the animals they hunted or the growth of the berries and fruits
on the bushes and trees.

They had horses, although horses came to North America after escaping from the Spanish
explorers who brought them here to explore the areas around Mexico and Texas. Boys and
girls were both expert riders. They did not use saddles or reins or stirrups; they rode
"bareback". Their clothes were made from deer skins and buffalo skins and decorated with
the parts of other animals - tails from squirrels and gophers, quills from porcupines and the
delicate bones of birds.

These children of nature did not ever have to go to school. They did not have to study to get
into a prestigious college, nor did they have to worry about finding a job after graduation. This
does not mean their life was easy. The winters were very long and very cold and there were
sometimes wars between tribes. There were also the very great dangers involved in the buffalo
hunt. Warriors rode at top speed (with no saddle) beside the huge buffalo shooting arrows to
bring them down. The chances of a buffalo turning suddenly or of falling off the horse were
very great. We must remember that there were also no hospitals in those days.

Even so, the young people of the tribes must have enjoyed a very pleasant lifestyle: fishing
and gathering berries in summer, hunting in the forests in the early morning, dancing around
the fire at night and listening to the old people tell stories and legends from long ago.

Tick (√) for the correct answer

TRUE FALSE
1. Riding "bareback" means riding without any equipment on the
horse.

2. First Nations people never killed deer.

3. First Nations people had no enemies.

4. Mathematics was not a priority for the kind of life they led.

5. The First Nations people did not develop a written language.

6. People were rarely killed while hunting buffalo.

 The Effects of Stress

There is a famous expression in English: "Stop the world, I want to get off!" This expression
refers to a feeling of panic, or stress, that makes a person want to stop whatever they are
doing, try to relax, and become calm again. 'Stress' means pressure or tension. It is one of the
most common causes of health problems in modern life. Too much stress results in physical,
emotional, and mental health problems.

There are numerous physical effects of stress. Stress can affect the heart. It can increase the
pulse rate, make the heart miss beats, and can cause high blood pressure. Stress can affect
the respiratory system. It can lead to asthma. It can cause a person to breathe too fast,
resulting in a loss of important carbon dioxide. Stress can affect the stomach. It can cause
stomach aches and problems digesting food. These are only a few examples of the wide range
of illnesses and symptoms resulting from stress.

Emotions are also easily affected by stress. People suffering from stress often feel anxious.
They may have panic attacks. They may feel tired all the time. When people are under stress,
they often overreact to little problems. For example, a normally gentle parent under a lot of
stress at work may yell at a child for dropping a glass of juice. Stress can make people angry,
moody, or nervous.

Long-term stress can lead to a variety of serious mental illnesses. Depression, an extreme
feeling of sadness and hopelessness, can be the result of continued and increasing stress.
Alcoholism and other addictions often develop as a result of overuse of alcohol or drugs to try
to relieve stress. Eating disorders, such as anorexia, are sometimes caused by stress and are
often made worse by stress. If stress is allowed to continue, then one's mental health is put at
risk.

It is obvious that stress is a serious problem. It attacks the body. It affects the emotions.
Untreated, it may eventually result in mental illness. Stress has a great influence on the health
and well-being of our bodies, our feelings, and our minds. So, reduce stress: stop the world
and rest for a while.

CIRCLE the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is not a common problem caused by stress?

A. physical problems
B. anecdotal problems
C. mental problems
D. emotional problems

2. According to the essay, which of the following parts of the body does not have physical
problems caused by stress.
A. the arms
B. the stomach
C. the lungs
D. the heart
3. Which of the following show how stress can affect the emotions? Click on the box beside
each correct answer and then click on "Check".
A. it can make people feel nervous
B. it can cause panic attacks
C. it can make people feel elated
D. it can make people feel angry

4. Which of the following can result from long-term stress? Click on the box beside each
correct answer and then click on "Check".
A. bliss
B. depression
C. alcoholism
D. whimsy

5. Choose the best answer to explain how alcoholism is caused by stress.

A. alcohol is used to relieve stress
B. alcohol is popular
C. alcohol is a chemical
D. alcohol is similar to medicine

6. Which of the following is not caused by long-term stress?

A. bloating
B. addiction
C. anorexia
D. alcoholism

7. Choose all of the answers that can complete this sentence: Stress can affect the
respiratory system by __________.
A. causing stomach problems
B. causing asthma
C. a loss of carbon dioxide
D. causing breathing problems

8. Symptoms of emotional stress include __________.

A. feeling joyous
B. feeling hungry
C. feeling thirsty
D. feeling tired
 Hometown

I have returned to my hometown of Wilson Creek after an absence of 10 years.

So many things have changed around here. When I left Wilson Creek, there was a small pond
on the right as you left town. They have filled in this pond and they have built a large shopping
mall there. A new post office has also been built just across from my old school.

There is a baseball stadium on the outskirts of Wilson Creek which has been changed
completely. They have now added a new stand where probably a few thousand people could
sit. It looks really great.

The biggest changes have taken place in the downtown area. They have pedestrianised the
centre and you can't drive there anymore. A European-style fountain has been built and some
benches have also been added along with a grassy area and a new street cafe.

My street looks just the same as it always has but a public library has been built in the next
street along. There used to be a great park there but they have cut down all the trees which is
a pity. The library now has a large green area in front of it but it's not the same as when the
park was there.

Another improvement is the number of new restaurants that have opened in Wilson Creek. A
Chinese and an Italian restaurant have opened in the town centre and a Mexican restaurant
has opened near my home. Which is where I am going tonight!

1. Jake's school doesn't exist anymore.

 True
 False

2. They have improved the baseball stadium.

 True
 False

3. Jake likes the new-look baseball stadium.

 True
 False

4. It's only possible to reach the downtown area on foot.

 True
 False

5. The buildings in the centre of the town look European.

 True
 False
6. Jake's street hasn't changed much.
 True
 False

7. He is sad about the park being ruined.

 True
 False

8. Jake is going to eat Italian food tonight.

 True
 False

Read the text and answer the questions.

Sixteen - What now?

You’re 16 and finally you can leave school! By now, you’re probably sick of teachers, desks,
tests and exams. But don’t just run for the exit. You need to think carefully about what to do
next.

If you want a professional career, you will need to go to university and get a degree. To do
that, you need to stay at high school for another two years. But you needn’t stay at the same
place. There are several options in the district of Northacre.

St. Leopold’s School has the best pass rate of all the high schools in the district. It offers a
wide range of subjects in the humanities and sciences. St Leopold’s is, of course, a private
school, so may be too expensive for you. But don’t worry, there are several other options if
you want to follow the academic route. Knowle Grammar School is a state school, so there
are no fees, and it has excellent tuition and facilities. It is a boys’ school from the ages of 11-
16, but from 16-18 it is co-educational. But it is selective, so you’ll have to pass an exam to
get in. If you’re interested in going into Business, check out Wyle River Academy. This school
specialises in subjects like Business Studies, Management and Economics. If you prefer the
arts, look at the courses on offer at Northacre College. Here you can study woodwork, art,
textiles and much more.

Northacre College also offers a wide range of vocational qualifications. You can do a 1-year
certificate or a 2-year diploma in subjects like electrics, plumbing, roofing and hairdressing. If
you’d prefer to work outdoors, look at Milldown College, where there are courses in Farm
Mechanics, Land Management, Animal Management and much more.

A final option is to get an apprenticeship with a local or national company. You will get on-
the-job training, gain certificates or diplomas and start earning straight away. But be warned
- places are limited! Find out more at the Jobs Fair on 26th May at Northacre College.
CIRCLE the correct answer.

1. The aim of the article is to…

A. advise young people about how to get to university.
B. tell young people about the options available.
C. advise young people to stay in education.

2. The article advises readers who want a professional career to…

A. go to university immediately.
B. stay at the same school for two more years.
C. go to high school for two more years, then get a degree.

3. St Leopold’s is the best school for…

A. good exam results.
B. humanities and sciences.
C. facilities.

4. You can only attend St Leopold’s school if you…

A. pay tuition fees.
B. pass an exam.
C. study both humanities and sciences.

5. You can only attend Knowle Grammar School if you…

A. pass an exam.
B. are a boy.
C. can afford the tuition fees.

6. Anna wants to work with horses. Where is the best place for her to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College

7. Harry wants to be a builder. Where is the best place for him to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College

8. Kevin wants to be a fashion designer. Where is the best place for him to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College

9. Caroline wants to run her own company. Where is the best place for her to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College

10. What is the problem with apprenticeships?

A. There are few available.
B. They are expensive.
C. They don’t give you any qualifications.