Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
‘The Rescue’. Write a story in which a rescue plays a central part.
Model Essay
The Rescue
The sun had just begun its descent, casting a golden hue over the small coastal town of Seabreeze. Ellie Harper, a local marine biologist, was finishing her routine survey of the tide pools when her radio crackled to life.
“Ellie, this is Ranger Mike. We’ve got a situation here at the north cliffs. A kayaker is stranded on a rock ledge. Can you assist?”
Ellie grabbed her gear and raced to her Jeep. The north cliffs were notorious for their treacherous currents and steep drop-offs. As she sped along the coastal road, her mind raced with thoughts of the impending rescue. She had trained for emergencies like this, but nothing could fully prepare her for the real thing.
Arriving at the cliffs, Ellie saw a small crowd gathered near the edge. Ranger Mike, a tall, rugged man with a weathered face, was briefing the local rescue team. He spotted Ellie and waved her over.
“Ellie, thanks for coming. The kayaker is a young woman. She got caught in the current and ended up on that ledge,” he said, pointing to a narrow outcrop of rock about twenty feet below the cliff’s edge. The woman clung to the rock, waves crashing dangerously close.
Ellie assessed the situation quickly. “We’ll need ropes and a harness. I can rappel down and secure her.”
Mike nodded and handed her the equipment. “Be careful. The tide’s coming in fast.”
Ellie donned the harness and secured the rope. As she approached the cliff’s edge, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the descent. Slowly, she lowered herself down, the cliff face rough against her gloved hands.
The sound of the waves grew louder, more menacing, as she neared the ledge. The young woman looked up, her eyes wide with fear. “Hold on! I’m almost there!” Ellie shouted over the roar of the ocean.
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With a final push, Ellie reached the ledge. She quickly secured herself and extended a hand to the stranded kayaker. “I’m Ellie. I’m here to get you out of this.”
The woman, shivering and pale, nodded. “I’m Sarah. I… I didn’t think anyone would come.”
Ellie smiled reassuringly. “You’re going to be fine, Sarah. Just follow my lead.”
She secured the second harness around Sarah and double-checked the ropes. “Alright, we’re going to climb up together. Take it slow and steady.”
As they began their ascent, a large wave crashed against the cliff, sending a spray of cold seawater over them. Sarah gasped and clung tighter to the rope. “Just keep moving, Sarah. We’re almost there,” Ellie encouraged.
With each step, the cliff edge grew closer. Finally, with one last effort, Ellie hoisted Sarah over the top and followed behind her. The crowd erupted in cheers as Ranger Mike helped them both to their feet.
Sarah collapsed to the ground, exhausted but safe. Ellie knelt beside her, checking for any injuries. “You did great, Sarah. You’re safe now.”
Tears streamed down Sarah’s face as she hugged Ellie. “Thank you. I thought I was going to die out there.”
Ellie smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. “You were brave, Sarah. It takes courage to hold on.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the cliffs, Ellie stood up, her heart still pounding with the adrenaline of the rescue. She knew that, while the sea could be dangerous and unpredictable, the strength of the human spirit was an unstoppable force. And tonight, that spirit had triumphed.
Walking back to her Jeep, Ellie looked out over the now calm ocean, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference. The rescue was over, but its impact would stay with her forever.
Word Count: 619