Descriptive Composition: Question 4
Syllabus W2
Which of these sentences shows, rather than tells, the reader that Priya is nervous while she waits outside the interview room? [1]
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Worked solution
Assessment focus
This tests the ability to recognise genuine “showing”, behavioural or physical detail that implies an emotion, as distinct from directly naming the emotion, even when the naming is dressed up as an internal sensation.
Why B is correct
Option B never uses the word “nervous.” Instead, it gives two specific, physical and behavioural details (an unconsciously repeated tapping action, and re-reading the same line without absorbing it) that a reader recognises as symptoms of nervousness. The feeling is inferred by the reader rather than announced by the writer.
Why the other options are wrong
- A states the emotion directly (“was extremely nervous”), which is a clear example of telling.
- C still names the feeling directly (“felt a nervous feeling”), just filtered through Priya’s internal sensation rather than an external observation. This is a common disguise for telling, not a genuine example of showing.
- D describes a plausible, ordinary action, but checking a phone for messages does not specifically imply nervousness. It could equally suggest boredom or simply passing the time, so it fails to show the intended feeling.
Mark scheme
1 mark for selecting B; 0 marks for any other option, as this is a discrete single-answer selection question.