Descriptive words for Narrative Writing

Legend:Descriptions of places and behavioursInner thoughts Place Descriptions Typical classroom scenario A thick layer of heat hung heavilyin the classroom.The humidity was getting to us. We werefidgeting restlessly, clicking our pens in frustrated boredom.As Ms Tan continued scribbling Mathformulas on the whiteboard, we scrolled through our phones underneath our desks,heads bent insecrecy. For a few seconds, we heard silence. Looking up from our phones, we saw that Ms Tan had turned toface us.Her eyes flashed with quiet rage, her mouthpursed into a disapproving line.She closedthe cap on the marker, walked over to the teacher’s deskandsnapped the textbook shut. Heavinga deep sigh, she began to pack her things at a furious speed.Her body trembled slightlyas she stoodin front of the class again, her left arm carrying thick sets of prelim practice papers. In her 50s, Ms Tanappeared relatively healthy for her age. But in this instance, she looked vulnerable and frail. “I am truly disappointed in all of you,”her low voicequivered. Before she left the classroom,she stareddirectly at me with a pained look. Welooked guiltily at each other, knowing that wewere in part responsible for souring her mood.Didsomething happen to Ms Tan? Where was her usual chirpy self? Exam-taking scenario Bags were lined up outside the main corridor. While some students wereanxiouslyflipping through thicksheets of notes,eager tofully utilize every lastsecond before the exams began, others speculated aboutthe test topics while predicting their poor performances. As the students settled in their seats five minutes before the exams,the atmosphere in the classroomwas tense and solemn.Despite the teachers’ reassurancesthat their grades do not define theirfuture, the students understood the immediate consequences of not doing well. Each of them had their own rituals when it comes to managing stress - somedrew sharp breaths withdeep exhales, some lined up their stationery in neatrows like soldiers preparing artillery for the

battlefield, while others simplyclasped their handsandstared resolutely at the whiteboard. “We have five minutes to the start of the exam. Can I invite the class to look through your papers toensure that there are no missing pages,” Mr Lim’slow and solemn voice rang through the quietclassroom. Argument with a classmatescenario The chair screeched as Mandy stood up furiously and marched up to me. “Stand up!” Shesmacked hard on my desk,which wasmarked with our crimes of vandalism. I knew that look. It was the one she gave to thoseshe felt had betrayed her trust. She leaned into my face,her hot, coffee-stained breathstinging my cheeks.Her eyes wereglistening, red flecks of veins showing through the white.Had she been crying?Her eyebagslooked darker and heavier than it usually did. Startled, I took a step back and almost fell. “I will not forget what you did,” shehissed menacinglyat me. Sherlyn and Tina looked awayimmediately when I tried to make eye contact.Of course,it was always safer to be on Mandy’s sideeven if she had been in the wrong. Gaining Mandy’s attention and affection was like winning thelottery - it depended on luck, and was not something that you could earn through loyalty orfavours. Equally, losing Mandy’s trust was as unpredictable as the lightning. No one couldanticipate who would be striked out next. A blissful/touching momentwith your loved ones The rain was thin and light. You could barely see it until you focused hard enough at the blank spacemid-air. Then, you will see the silvery, sun-lit flakes falling silently, unnoticed. I walked home in thesticky humidity,my heart heavywith dread. I had just received my prelim resultsearlier and it was unexpectedly poor. I had studied intensely for the exams and had sincerely wanted todo well. However, the prelim exams were surprisingly difficult. The questions were more abstract andcomplex than the ones I attempted in practice papers.While I appreciated my teachers’ intentions tostretch our potential in the last months leading up to the O levels, I wished they understood howdemoralising it could be for their students. My stomach lurchedas I imagined thecrestfallen lookon my parents’ faces. They had been

spending hefty sums on my tuition classes and buying up pirated assessment papers from thesecond-hand bookstores at Bras Basah.I hated disappointingthem, especially since I knew thatthey pinned high hopes on me.I turned up the volumeof my music to drown out the anxious andcritical voices flooding my head. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself for the worstas I stepped through the front door. The livingroom was dark, with the curtains drawn shut. This is strange. My parents had texted earlier in the family’sWhatsapp chat that they were home. “Mom? Dad? Are you home?” My questions were answeredwith deafening silence. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELA!” Two familiar voices boomedfrom the kitchen,accompanied by theloud snaps and bursting confetti from party poppers. My mother carefully carried a candle-lit, mangocream cake to my face. “Make your wish before blowing out the candles!” It was almost amusing that my parents looked moreexcited than I did.They smiled expectantly at me.My dad placed his hand on my shoulder andgave it a quick squeeze as I recovered from the surprise. We sat around our dining table, savouring the sweet and dense cream of this fruity cake.I had been socaught up with studying for the prelims I had completely forgotten about my birthday. I wastouched at my parents’ gesture, but this was going to be a bittersweet celebration. As I reached for the report card in my bag, my mom held my arm and stopped me. “We know you tried your best. It will be alright,”I have never heard her speak so gently before. Ibegan to cry immediately, choked up with gratitude and relief.