Question 24
IGCSE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1
•
2018
•
ENGLISH_LANGUAGE
•
objective
Write a short story that meets all the following constraints:
1. Begin exactly with the sentence: "The rain had stopped, but the city still smelled of wet stone."
2. Include a surprising twist that changes the reader's perception of the protagonist.
3. End with the line: "And that is how I learned to listen to the silence."
4. Incorporate at least three different sensory details (e.g., sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).
Your story should be no more than 120 words.
Answer Options
A.
The rain had stopped, but the city still smelled of wet stone. I walked past the shuttered cafés, feeling the cold, slick cobblestones under my shoes. Neon signs flickered, painting the alley in electric pink, while the scent of fresh coffee mingled with ozone. People hurried, unaware that I was not just a passer‑by but the hidden recorder of the city's heartbeat, capturing every sigh for a secret album. When the police seized my bag, they found not contraband but a notebook of soundscapes. And that is how I learned to listen to the silence.
B.
Rain fell hard, but the city still smelled of wet stone. I walked past shuttered cafés, feeling slick cobblestones bite my shoes. A distant saxophone wailed, its notes dripping like the metallic taste of puddles on my tongue. Neon signs flickered, painting the alley in electric pink, while the scent of fresh coffee mingled with ozone. People hurried, unaware that I was not just a passer‑by but the hidden recorder of the city's heartbeat, capturing every sigh for a secret album. When the police seized my bag, they found not contraband but a notebook of soundscapes. And that is how I learned to listen to the silence.
C.
The rain had stopped, but the city still smelled of wet stone. I wandered through the empty streets, feeling the cold bricks under my fingertips. A distant violin sang, its notes tasting like rust on my tongue. Neon lights painted the alley in violet, while the aroma of fresh bread mixed with rainwater. People rushed past, unaware that I was merely a tourist, not the secret recorder of the city's heartbeat. When the police searched my bag, they found only a sketchbook. And that is how I learned to hear the silence.
Correct Answer
D.
The rain had stopped, but the city still smelled of wet stone. I walked past the shuttered cafés, feeling the cold, slick cobblestones bite my shoes. A distant saxophone wailed, its notes dripping like the metallic taste of puddles on my tongue. Neon signs flickered, painting the alley in electric pink, while the scent of fresh coffee mingled with ozone. People hurried, unaware that I was not just a passer‑by but the hidden recorder of the city's heartbeat, capturing every sigh for a secret album. When the police seized my bag, they found not contraband but a notebook of soundscapes. And that is how I learned to listen to the silence.
Correct Answer
D
Correct Option:
The rain had stopped, but the city still smelled of wet stone. I walked past the shuttered cafés, feeling the cold, slick cobblestones bite my shoes. A distant saxophone wailed, its notes dripping like the metallic taste of puddles on my tongue. Neon signs flickered, painting the alley in electric pink, while the scent of fresh coffee mingled with ozone. People hurried, unaware that I was not just a passer‑by but the hidden recorder of the city's heartbeat, capturing every sigh for a secret album. When the police seized my bag, they found not contraband but a notebook of soundscapes. And that is how I learned to listen to the silence.
About This Question
This is
Igcse Model Questions Vol1
2018
English Language
Question 24.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2018
Igcse Model Questions Vol1
English Language
examination.
Difficulty level:
Hard
.