Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
Write a story or an episode of suspense in which a character is facing a problem relating to time running out.
Model Essay
Against the Clock
The old grandfather clock in the corner of the room ticked ominously, each swing of its pendulum a reminder of the time slipping away. David paced back and forth, glancing nervously at his watch. He had exactly one hour left to solve the puzzle and save his sister, Emily. The ransom note had been clear: solve the riddle, or never see her again.
David’s mind raced as he reviewed the cryptic message again:
“The answer lies within the heart of the past, Seek where secrets are held fast, In the place where time stands still, Find the key to break her will.”
He had always been good at puzzles, a talent honed through years of solving complex mathematical problems as an engineer. But this was different. This wasn’t a game or a mental exercise; this was real, and Emily’s life depended on it.
David’s eyes darted around the room. He and Emily had inherited their grandparents’ old house after their parents passed away. The place was filled with antiques, each one a potential clue. He focused on the line “where time stands still.” The grandfather clock? No, it was still ticking.
He thought back to the times he and Emily had spent exploring the house as children. They had often played in the attic, where their grandparents stored old family heirlooms. “The heart of the past,” he muttered to himself, feeling a sudden surge of hope.
David raced up the creaky stairs to the attic, his heart pounding. The attic was dusty and dimly lit, filled with old furniture and boxes of forgotten treasures. He rummaged through the boxes, searching for something that could be the key.
After several minutes of frantic searching, he found an old photo album. His hands trembled as he flipped through the pages, each one filled with black-and-white photos of his grandparents and their children. At the back of the album, he found a small, yellowed envelope. Inside was a letter from his grandfather, detailing a secret compartment hidden in the grandfather clock.
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David sprinted back downstairs, his heart racing against the clock. He examined the old clock closely and found a small latch cleverly concealed behind the ornate woodwork. With a click, a hidden panel opened, revealing a small, tarnished key and another note.
“The final piece lies where memories reside, In the place where tears were cried, Unlock the past to save the day, Before time takes her away.”
David knew instantly where to go. The basement had always been a place of sorrow, where his grandmother had spent her final days. He grabbed the key and ran downstairs, the seconds ticking away. In the basement, he found an old chest, one he remembered his grandmother often sat beside.
With trembling hands, David inserted the key into the lock. It turned with a loud click, and the chest opened to reveal a small, ornate box. Inside the box was a piece of paper with an address scrawled on it.
David checked his watch. He had ten minutes left. He bolted out the door, jumped into his car, and sped towards the address. It was an old warehouse on the outskirts of town. He arrived with mere minutes to spare, his heart pounding in his chest.
He burst through the door and found Emily tied to a chair, looking terrified. A masked figure stood nearby, surprised by David’s sudden entrance. Without hesitation, David charged at the figure, knocking them to the ground. He quickly untied Emily and they ran out, just as the clock struck the final minute.
They collapsed in the car, both breathing heavily. Emily hugged David tightly, tears streaming down her face. “I knew you’d find me,” she whispered.
David glanced at his watch, grateful that he had beaten the clock. He realized that no puzzle, no matter how complex, was more important than family. And he would always fight against time to protect the ones he loved.
Word Count: 660