Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
Describe your surroundings before and after a sudden change in the weather.
Model Essay
The day began with a serene calmness, the kind that made everything seem possible. The sky was a flawless expanse of azure, not a cloud in sight. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the towering oak trees lining the park, their shadows dappling the neatly trimmed grass. Birds sang cheerfully, their melodies interwoven with the distant laughter of children playing on the swings. The air was warm and sweet, carrying the faint fragrance of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens. It was a perfect spring day, full of life and light.
As I sat on a wooden bench, enjoying the tranquility, I noticed the park slowly filling with people. Joggers in brightly colored gear trotted past, their rhythmic footfalls a steady backdrop to the symphony of nature. Families spread out picnic blankets, their chatter blending with the soft hum of the city beyond the park’s borders. Dogs barked playfully, chasing after frisbees and balls, their energy infectious. The sunlight, filtered through the canopy of leaves, cast a golden glow on everything it touched.
Suddenly, I felt a shift. The breeze that had been so gentle moments before began to pick up, its cool touch now carrying an edge of urgency. The sky, once so clear and bright, started to darken, clouds gathering on the horizon with alarming speed. The birds fell silent, their songs replaced by the low rumble of distant thunder. A sense of foreboding settled over the park, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
Within minutes, the transformation was complete. The sky turned a deep, menacing gray, and the first fat raindrops began to fall, splashing against the pavement with a soft plop. The breeze had morphed into a gusty wind, sending leaves swirling through the air in frantic spirals. People hurried to pack up their belongings, parents calling out to their children, urging them to hurry. The cheerful chatter and laughter were replaced by urgent shouts and the rustle of plastic tarps and raincoats.
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I watched as the rain intensified, each drop falling with a force that seemed to echo the sudden change in the atmosphere. The grass, so inviting just moments before, quickly turned soggy, the earth drinking in the downpour with greedy gulps. Puddles formed on the pathways, reflecting the tumultuous sky above. The once vibrant park now seemed somber, its colors muted by the curtain of rain.
Seeking shelter, I moved to a nearby gazebo, joining a few others who had also sought refuge there. We stood silently, watching the storm unleash its fury. The trees swayed violently, their branches creaking and groaning under the assault. Lightning flashed, illuminating the darkened landscape with brief, brilliant bursts. Thunder followed, a powerful roar that seemed to shake the very ground beneath our feet.
Despite the chaos, there was a certain beauty in the storm’s raw power. The park, now devoid of its earlier liveliness, held a different kind of energy—a primal, untamed force of nature. The rain fell in relentless sheets, creating a rhythmic drumming on the roof of the gazebo. The air, once warm and fragrant, was now cool and fresh, charged with the scent of wet earth and ozone.
As the storm began to pass, the rain gradually lessened, its ferocity giving way to a gentle patter. The clouds, still heavy and dark, began to drift apart, revealing glimpses of the sky behind them. The park, though drenched and subdued, seemed to sigh in relief. Birds cautiously resumed their songs, and the first brave jogger ventured back onto the path, splashing through the remaining puddles.
The sudden change in weather had transformed the park from a haven of peace and joy to a scene of dramatic intensity, and then, back to a place of quiet recovery. It was a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and power, and of the beauty that can be found in every phase of its ever-changing mood.
Word Count: 649