Descriptive Settings: Beaches, Sea and Waves

What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
cliffs boundless anchor
…sunlight glinted from the wave’s crest…
coast calm break
crest choppy crash
current crashing curve …glistening on the horizon…
docks endless drift
driftwood glassy flourish Stormy, tumultuous waters raged…
fishermen golden flow
horizon heavy haul …miniscule grains of golden sand…
marina isolated overlook
marine life mighty plunge
Tropical waters stretched as far as the eye
rock pools pebbly rage could see…
sailors remote ride
sandbar rocky rise
…boats floating atop the glassy water…
sand secluded roll
seabed shallow sail
seabirds tidal slope
shells tropical stretch
shoreline turbulent stroll
tide uncharted surge
vessels undulating sweep
water vast wash

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 Descriptive Settings: Busy Cities
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
advertisements bustling attend
…dazzled by the illuminated billboards…
air quality busy commute
atmosphere communal cross
buildings compact dazzle Smog clouded the crowded streets…
cityscape congested direct
crossings cosmopolitan drive …captivated by the amazing street
districts dense illuminate performers…
lights historic inhabit
noise industrial live Below ground lay an extensive labyrinth of
offices metropolitan migrate tunnels…
performers modern park
population noisy reside …reliable transport links…
public transport notable ride
roads crowded sell
…profitable shops in lucrative locations…
safety populated shop
shops profitable sightsee
smells prosperous travel
streets thriving visit
traffic urban walk
underground vast watch
vendors vibrant work

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 Descriptive Settings: Countryside and Villages
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
amenities charming comb
…picturesque rolling hills…
farms delightful cultivate
fields flourishing dominate
Isolated amongst vibrant fields of flourishing
foliage idyllic explore
crops…
gardens isolated farm
hedgerows local graze
…quaint, medieval cottages…
history luscious live
houses open nestle
land peaceful observe …hedgerows alive with the chirping of
cherished friends…
landscape picturesque pass
occupations pleasant plough
…the historic parish church…
pastures quaint relax
places of worship quiet reside
residents remote roam In the sleepy, unspoiled village of
Hucklesby…
rurality rural roll
scenery sleepy scour
shops small surround
town thriving tour
village unspoiled travel
wildlife wild visit
woodland wooded wander

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 Descriptive Settings: Hallways, Corridors and Stairs
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases

access routes adjacent to… ascend

architecture broad bolt I entered the vast, lifeless expanse…
ceiling height covered climb
company dingy creep …connecting the atrium to the dining
quarters…
creaking draughty dash
decor empty descend …steep and perilous spiral staircase…
doorways endless echo
echoes gloomy enter …echoes reverberating from the panelled
exits magnificent fall walls…
flooring narrow follow
length panelled glance The vestibule door closed with a haunting
creak…
lighting rickety hasten
props shadowy proceed Lurking within the narrow passageways…
purpose slippery race
quantity of steps steep rush
route sterile sprint
secret passageways subterranean stride
steps underground traverse
wall coverings vaulted trot
windows windowless wind

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 Descriptive Settings: Mountains and Volcanoes
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
altitude active adventure
…towered majestically…
ash alpine ascend
caldera ancient conquer
cliffs angry descend …dominates the landscape…
crags conical destroy
craters craggy dwell
eruptions distant eject …hurled scorching rock and ash into the
air…
foothills enormous erupt
highlands extinct evacuate
hillside fiery explode Guttural rumbling could be heard…
lava graded explore
magma great hike
peaks hilly loom …impenetrable to explorers…
pumice impassable overlook
ridges mighty pass
The mighty overseer surveyed its territory…
rocks monstrous rise
slopes mountainous roll
tremors sheer scramble
undulations snow-capped ski
vents steep slumber
weather towering tower

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 Descriptive Settings: Rainforests and Jungles
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
biodiversity chaotic crawl
…lurking within the dense foliage…
canopies dense creep
deforestation endless disappear
Among gnarled and twisted vines…
ecosystems exotic emerge
fauna hazardous escape
flora hostile hide …abundant and luscious flora…
fruits humid infest
ground impassable inhabit …through the impenetrable and sinister
habitats impenetrable live swamp…
insects lush lurk
layers luxuriant melt …previously unexplored territory…
plants mysterious plunge
predators remote retreat Stifling heat made the exotic paradise
species steamy roam extremely hazardous.
swamps swampy search
temperature tangled survive
thickets tough teem
vines trackless trek
weather unexplored venture
wildlife uninhabited wander

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 Descriptive Settings: Rivers, Lakes, Streams and Waterfalls
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
basin dramatic border
…turbulent waters swirled…
brook eutrophic cascade
cascade famous cross
creek glacial divert …lulled and lapped the tranquil riverbed…
dam icy drain
drop impressive flow
A thundering cascade…
estuary magnificent foam
fish majestic head
flow marshy lead Famous for its eutrophic conditions…
fountain mighty plunge
glaciers narrow pour The gentle current sloshed against the
lake navigable rise marshes…
mud noisy roar
rapids picturesque rush
Infamously unnavigable…
riverbank polluted sail
riverbed sacred stretch
riverside shallow surround
shoreline sluggish swim
stream spectacular trickle
valley turbulent tumble
waterway wide wash

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 Descriptive Settings: Castles
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
armour aged adorn
The flickering candlelight made the
arrow slits ancient alert
paintings dance…
banquet cavernous brighten
battlements citadel creaked
beams coil defend …imposing and noble, the fortress
protected…
candlelight decadent drench
carpets decrepit fall
chambers dizzying illuminate …the cavernous great hall was adorned with
corridor exquisite jut rich tapestries…
doors flickering perplex
drawbridge fortress protect The turrets protruded through the clouds,
fireplace gleaming protrude like soldiers…
furniture hushed reassure
great hall imposing rise …decrepit and aged, the drawbridge creaked
grounds lookout secure unsteadily…
moat luxurious slouch
paintings noble soothe
portcullis plush splash
spiral staircase polished warm
tapestries rich watch
turrets stately weave
walls whistling whisper
windows

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 Descriptive Settings: Caves
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases

bones chilly abandon

…adventuring into the dark, rocky hollow…
creepy adventure
cave dwelling animals –
bats, rats, insects, bears crumbling camouflage …leaning against the cold, wet stone, I
cave dwellers dangerous conceal gazed across the darkness of the cave…
cave paintings dank disappear
crevices dark discover I stumbled, catching myself against the
decaying dwell slimy wall…
darkness
fungi deserted explore
…a flock of bats swept across the cave,
ground echoey hear shrieking and flapping overhead…
movements eery hide
noise empty inhabit …venturing even deeper into the tunnelling,
openings endless journey mysterious grotto…
passageways gloomy keep secret
isolated learn …journeying into the depths of the cavern
rock formation
through a network of passageways…
senses murky loiter
smell mysterious lurk
stalagmites and stalactites sheltered protect
temperature silent quest
tracks unexplored reveal
vibrations uninhabited scare
vines vast shield
walls wet uncover
water
 Descriptive Settings: Fairy Tale Cottage
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
atmosphere antique adjoin
…aged beams hung low overhead…
beams cosy belong
building material derelict build
chimney detached dwell Nestled amongst the luscious, rolling hills…
cleanliness dilapidated enter
doors enchanted furnish
fireplace homely inhabit …quaintly occupying the landscape…
flooring homemade live
furniture humble lodge Surrounded by acres of emptiness…
garden idyllic nestle
history isolated occupy
lighting lowly overlook …the picturesque residence was dreamlike…
occupants modest perch
pathway picturesque ramble
…snug within the tiny, humble bungalow.
roof pleasant return
rooms quaint settle
smell remote situate
surroundings secluded stand
trinkets shabby stay
visitors snug surround
windows tiny visit

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 Descriptive Settings: Forests and Woodland
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
bark abundant bend
The rustling leaves sang a soothing melody…
berries chirping creep
birds creaking govern
brambles damp groan …sun-dappled secrets being uncovered…
branches decaying jut
deer earthy perch
fallen leaves fallen protrude …scampered and scurried through a
labyrinth of roots and fallen foliage…
ferns gloomy rise
foxes humming rustle
ground impenetrable scamper The haunting shadows of branches danced
insects peaceful scrabble across the floor…
ivy rotting scramble
mice rough scurry
…holding its majestic crown of leaves high…
moss serene settle
pine cones shady shuffle
spiders silent slouch
squirrels stagnant stumble
thickets sun-dappled sway
trees tangled twist
trunks tranquil weave
undergrowth whistling whisper

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 Descriptive Settings: Haunted House
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
attic abandoned amplify
… abandoned books adorned dusty shelves…
basement antique chill
bookshelves broken cover A flickering light within the eerie attic
carpets creaky creep provided a sinister invitation…
clocks creepy drape
cobwebs decaying dwell … lifelessly stared straight through me…
curtains dilapidated echo
dust dusty flicker Would we dare to explore its
mysterious hallways?
floorboards eerie follow
furniture gloomy inhabit … the putrid stench of
garden haunting intimidate decaying houseplants…
hallways lifeless linger
lighting lurking lurk … swinging from thick layers of dust
mirrors mysterious possess and cobwebs.
noises neglected rattle
portraits putrid remain
rooms shadowy rest
shadows sinister rot
statues spooky scare
taxidermy uneven stare
windows unkempt whisper

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 Descriptive Settings: Space
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
asteroid astronomic accelerate
The star burst with tongues of flame from its
astronaut celestial appear blazing surface.
black hole cosmic approach
comet extra-terrestrial burn Glimmering in the distance, Alison could see
constellation fantastic burst billions of stars dancing like fireflies.
cosmic rays galactic collide
crater heavenly crash …the dark, mysterious void of space felt
deep space infinite discover unfamiliar and limitless…
dwarf planet intergalactic drift
dwarf star interstellar explode The astronaut took a deep breath as the
airlock whirred open, revealing the vast
eclipse lifeless flash universe before him.
galaxy limitless float
gas giant lunar glimmer The phenomenal nebula illuminated space
gravity mysterious hover with its heavenly colours.
meteor phenomenal hurtle
meteorite silent illuminate
nebula starry orbit
planet stellar rotate
shuttle strange sparkle
space station surreal traverse
supernova timeless venture
universe unfamiliar wander
wormhole vast whirr visit twinkl.com
 Descriptive Settings: Spaceship
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases

airlock advanced accelerate …we swiftly advanced towards the module…

aliens authentic appear
asteroid capable approach
astronauts experimental board A merry surge of static triggered the
atmosphere futuristic carry shuttle’s alarm…
buttons gigantic circle
capsule interstellar collide
The mysterious being had a name: Teletron.
craft lunar equip
excursion module majestic hover
levers manned hurtle …majestic launch in a blaze of white light…
mothership mysterious illuminate
noise ovoid land
…a series of mechanical levers and
orb planetary launch
complex switches…
orbit powerful move
robot scientific orbit
spacesuit skilled pass …hurtled towards our futuristic mothership.
speed spherical pilot
teleporter spinning propel
vessel strange send
view vast travel
wormhole winged venture

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 Descriptive Settings: The First World War
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
air force aggressive capture
Life in the dark trenches was bleak and
Archduke Franz Ferdinand atrocious confuse
soldiers were exhausted, desperate to escape
armistice bleak conquer the harrowing conditions.
artillery brutal conscript
Battle of the Somme costly damage
battlefield cruel deafen The U-boat swam silently through the
bombs dangerous oceans like a dangerous shark, ready to
evacuate
strike.
conscription deadly explode
David Lloyd George destructive fight
front line devastating hide The endless rumble of brutal gunfire could be
gas mask effective injure heard through no man’s land.
grenade exhausting kill
Kaiser Wilhelm II filthy lumber
The bombs exploded on the little town,
no man’s land frightening roar
relentless in their destructive mission.
propaganda harrowing rumble
rations horrific scramble
shell shock incessant seep
soldiers noisy shake
tanks perpetual shatter
trench foot relentless shock
trenches savage slaughter
Triple Alliance senseless swoop
U-boat terrible trudge
weaponry tragic wound visit twinkl.com

Zeppelins unending zoom

 Descriptive Settings: The Second World War
What Can I Describe? How Can I Describe It? What Can It Do? Examples of Effective Phrases
Adolf Hitler aggressive capture The noisy spitfire roared overhead, its
air raid shelter atrocious confuse deafening rumble echoing through the
Anne Frank bleak conquer streets.
battlefield brutal conscript
blackout costly damage The exhausted soldier stood with his feet
deep in filthy trench mud, desperate to go
bombs cruel deafen
home.
evacuation dangerous evacuate
evacuees deadly explode …the sound of gunfire rang incessantly in
gas mask destructive fight the ears of those hiding in the bushes of no
grenade devastating hide man’s land.
Holocaust effective injure
medals exhausting kill The tanks lumbered and crashed down the
Nazi filthy roads, leaving a path of devastation in their
lumber
wake.
Neville Chamberlain frightening roar
no man’s land harrowing rumble
The relentless sirens shrieked loudly as we
propaganda horrific scramble dashed to the dark air raid shelter for safety.
rations incessant seep
soldiers noisy shake
Spitfire perpetual shatter
Star of David relentless shock
tanks savage slaughter
The Blitz senseless swoop
trenches terrible trudge
U-boats tragic wound visit twinkl.com

Winston Churchill unending zoom