IGCSE English Compositions (Oct-Nov 2010) If you could travel back in time, what invention would you prevent from being created and why? argumentative Is there any point in working hard to gain academic qualifications when so many people now become rich and famous without them, or buy fake ones? argumentative Do you think that it is right for English, in all its forms, to become the most important world language? argumentative 'The school curriculum provides everything that the average teenager needs to know for adult life.' What are your views on this statement? argumentative Discuss why it is easier to go to war than to achieve peace. argumentative Discuss an invention which changed people's lives in some way, commenting on its impact at the time and why it still plays an important role today. argumentative You come across a shop in a side street which you have never noticed before. You enter, and are amazed at what you see. Describe the interior of the shop and the things on sale there. descriptive Describe what you see from the window during a journey by road or rail. descriptive Write a descriptive account entitled 'The Flower Seller'. descriptive You have to get to an important event or meeting, but the vehicle you are in is held up in a traffic jam. Describe what is going on around you and your feelings during the delay. descriptive Describe the surroundings and your emotions at a time when you felt very alone. descriptive Imagine that you are up in a hot air balloon. Describe what you see below and how the experience makes you feel. descriptive A letter turns up which has been lost in the post for ten years. Write a story which explains the effect of this letter when it is finally delivered. narrative 'Slow but steady wins the race.' Write a story to illustrate this saying. narrative 'Nothing could have survived that explosion, so what on earth is that climbing out of the ...!' Use this sentence at an important point in your story. narrative Write a story in which greed plays an important part. narrative 'At last I could see a light at the end of the tunnel.' Use this sentence either to begin or end a story. narrative You see an advertisement in a local newspaper which says: 'Are you brave and adventurous? Then telephone this number and change your life.' Start the story with the phone call you make. narrative All Years