Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
‘The Short Cut.’ You are very late and you need to get home quickly. Up ahead is a short cut, but you’ve been warned not to use it. If you don’t get home soon there’ll be serious trouble… write a story about what happens next.
Model Essay
The Short Cut
The sky was darkening, and the streetlights flickered to life as I hurried down the main road. My heart pounded in my chest, not just from the exertion but from the fear of the consequences that awaited me if I didn’t get home soon. My parents had made it clear that tonight was important—my little sister’s birthday dinner. I had promised to be back early, but the study group ran late, and now I was racing against time.
As I jogged along, I saw it: the short cut. It was a narrow, shadowy alley between two old buildings, overgrown with weeds and littered with debris. The alley had a reputation for being dangerous. There were stories of muggings and mysterious figures lurking in the shadows. My parents had warned me never to use it, but tonight, I had no choice. If I didn’t take the short cut, I’d be even later.
I hesitated at the entrance, the darkness almost tangible, swallowing up the last vestiges of daylight. Taking a deep breath, I plunged into the alley, my feet echoing on the damp pavement. The air was cooler here, and I shivered, more from nerves than the temperature. The buildings loomed overhead, blocking out the sky, making me feel like I was walking through a tunnel.
Every sound seemed amplified in the narrow space—the rustle of paper, the distant hum of traffic, and my own footsteps. Halfway through, I heard a noise that made my blood run cold. It was a soft, scraping sound, like metal against stone. I stopped, straining to see in the dim light. Up ahead, I caught a glimpse of movement—a shadow shifting.
Panic surged through me. I thought about turning back, but the idea of facing my parents’ disappointment pushed me forward. I picked up my pace, trying to move as quietly as possible. As I got closer, the figure came into focus. It was an older man, hunched over, rummaging through a pile of trash. He looked up as I approached, his eyes glinting in the low light.
“Hey there,” he said, his voice raspy. “Lost?”
I shook my head, trying to appear confident. “Just passing through,” I replied, my voice steady. I edged around him, keeping my eyes on his hands, which thankfully stayed in the trash heap. He watched me for a moment, then went back to his rummaging. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and hurried on.
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The rest of the alley stretched out in front of me, seeming endless. My nerves were on edge, and every sound made me jump. But I kept moving, driven by the ticking clock in my head. Finally, I saw the end of the alley, the welcoming glow of streetlights beyond. Relief washed over me, and I quickened my pace, almost running now.
Just as I was about to step out into the open, a figure stepped into my path. I skidded to a halt, my heart leaping into my throat. It was a boy, not much older than me, with a mischievous grin. “Where do you think you’re going in such a hurry?” he asked, blocking my way.
“I need to get home,” I said, trying to push past him. But he grabbed my arm, his grip tight.
“Not so fast,” he said, his voice low. I felt a surge of fear, but then I remembered something. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. Before he could react, I pressed the emergency call button.
“Help! I’m in the alley behind Main Street!” I shouted. The boy’s eyes widened, and he let go of me, bolting back into the shadows. I didn’t wait to see if he was coming back. I sprinted out of the alley, my heart pounding.
I burst onto the main road, gulping in the fresh air. I was safe. I looked back at the dark alley, shuddering. Never again, I promised myself. I checked the time and realized I still had a chance to make it home on time.
I ran the rest of the way, bursting through the front door just as my family was sitting down to dinner. My parents looked up, surprise and relief on their faces. “You made it!” my mother said, smiling.
I forced a smile, trying to hide the trembling in my hands. “Yeah,” I said, taking my seat. “I took a short cut.” And as I sat there, surrounded by my family, I knew I would never forget the lesson I had learned tonight about heeding warnings and the true meaning of taking a risk.
Word Count: 771