Stage 3 Cambridge Creative Writing Worksheet for English Learners

Instructions

Read each activity carefully and write your answers in the spaces provided. Use your imagination and try to make your writing as exciting and descriptive as possible!

Activity 1: Wonderful Words

The words below are a bit boring. Can you think of two more exciting words (synonyms) to replace each one?

1. Said:

   1. _________________________     2. _________________________

2. Big:

   1. _________________________     2. _________________________

3. Ran:

   1. _________________________     2. _________________________

4. Happy:

   1. _________________________     2. _________________________

Activity 2: Create a Character

Imagine a brand new character for a story. Fill in the details below to bring them to life.

• Character's Name: ___________________________________


• Appearance (What do they look like? Think about hair, eyes, and clothes):

  _________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________



• Personality (Choose three words to describe them):

  ____________________, ____________________, ____________________



• What is one secret wish they have?

  _________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________

Activity 3: Setting the Scene

Imagine you have just discovered a hidden garden behind a tall stone wall. Describe it using your senses. What can you see, hear, and smell?

• I can see...

  _________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________

• I can hear...

  _________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________

• I can smell...

  _________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4: Spectacular Similes

A simile is a way of describing something by comparing it to something else, using the words 'like' or 'as'. For example: The sea sparkled like a thousand jewels.

Complete these similes with your own ideas.

1. The old house was as silent as ____________________________.
2. Her laugh was like ____________________________________.
3. The cat's fur was as soft as ______________________________.

Now, write your own simile to describe the moon.

_________________________________________________________________________

Activity 5: Story Starter

Continue this story. What happens next? Write at least four more sentences.

The old key felt cold in my hand. I wasn't sure if it would work, but I slid it into the lock of the dusty, wooden chest. With a loud *click*, the lock opened...

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Answer Key

Note: For many activities, answers will vary. The examples below are just suggestions.

Activity 1: Wonderful Words

Example answers. Any interesting synonym is acceptable.

1. Said: whispered, yelled, muttered, exclaimed, shrieked, announced
2. Big: huge, enormous, gigantic, massive, vast, colossal
3. Ran: sprinted, dashed, bolted, scurried, zoomed, fled
4. Happy: joyful, cheerful, delighted, ecstatic, thrilled, overjoyed

Activity 2: Create a Character

Answers will vary. Check for creative and descriptive details. The student should have answered all parts of the question.

Activity 3: Setting the Scene

Answers will vary. Look for descriptive words that relate to the senses.

• Example for "I can see...": wild, overgrown flowers, a crumbling stone fountain, and ivy climbing the walls.
• Example for "I can hear...": the gentle buzzing of bees, a robin singing, and the rustle of leaves in the wind.
• Example for "I can smell...": damp earth, sweet roses, and freshly cut grass.

Activity 4: Spectacular Similes

The student's own ideas are best, but here are some examples.

1. The old house was as silent as a tomb / the snow falling / a library.
2. Her laugh was like tinkling bells / bubbling water / music.
3. The cat's fur was as soft as a cloud / velvet / cotton wool.

Example simile for the moon: The moon was like a silver coin in the dark sky. / The moon was as bright as a lantern.

Activity 5: Story Starter

Answers will vary. The student's writing should continue the story logically and include at least four new sentences. Check for good punctuation and creative ideas.