Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
You witness an incident which you are forced to get involved in. Use this idea as the basis for a narrative.
Model Essay
It was a crisp autumn evening when I decided to take a walk through the quiet streets of my neighborhood. The sky was painted with shades of orange and pink as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the fallen leaves that crunched underfoot. I had no idea that this serene walk would soon turn into an unforgettable encounter.
As I rounded the corner near the old bookstore, I noticed a small crowd gathered on the sidewalk. Their murmurs and hushed whispers piqued my curiosity, and I quickened my pace to see what was happening. As I approached, I saw a young woman, probably in her mid-twenties, standing at the center of the group. She looked distressed, her eyes darting around as if seeking help.
In front of her, a man in a leather jacket was aggressively demanding something. His voice was raised, and his posture was menacing. “Hand it over, now!” he barked, his face twisted with anger. The woman clutched her bag tightly to her chest, shaking her head.
I could feel the tension in the air, and a sense of unease settled in my stomach. It was clear that this was a robbery, and the crowd seemed too shocked or frightened to intervene. My heart pounded as I realized that I might be the only one who could help.
“Hey, what’s going on here?” I called out, stepping forward. My voice was steady, but my hands trembled slightly. The man in the leather jacket turned to face me, his eyes narrowing.
“Stay out of this, it’s none of your business,” he snapped, taking a step towards me.
I glanced around, hoping someone else would step in, but the crowd remained silent, their eyes wide with fear. I knew I had to do something. “Leave her alone,” I said firmly, trying to sound braver than I felt. “There are too many witnesses here for you to get away with this.”
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The man seemed to hesitate, glancing nervously at the growing number of onlookers. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I moved closer to the woman and positioned myself between her and the man. “Just walk away,” I said, my voice low but determined.
For a moment, I thought he might actually leave, but then he lunged at me, pushing me back with surprising force. I stumbled but managed to stay on my feet. The woman let out a frightened gasp, and I could see tears welling up in her eyes.
Before the man could make another move, a loud siren blared from down the street. Someone in the crowd had called the police. The man cursed under his breath and, with one last glare, turned and ran, disappearing into the alleyway.
Relief washed over me as the police arrived, their flashing lights illuminating the scene. The officers quickly took statements from the witnesses and comforted the shaken woman. She thanked me repeatedly, her voice trembling with gratitude.
As the crowd began to disperse, I realized how close I had come to serious harm. But I also felt a sense of pride and relief. I had acted when others hesitated, and together, we had prevented something terrible from happening.
Walking home that evening, I reflected on the incident. It was a stark reminder that sometimes, we are thrust into situations where we must choose between standing by or stepping in. Though the fear had been real, so was the satisfaction of knowing that I had done the right thing. The memory of that autumn evening, with its mix of fear, courage, and relief, would stay with me forever.
Word Count: 602