Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
Describe the most disappointing gift you have received and your reactions at the time.
Model Essay
I remember the anticipation as vividly as if it were yesterday. It was my twelfth birthday, and I had been dropping hints about the latest video game console for months. The morning of my birthday, the living room was filled with brightly wrapped gifts, each one holding the promise of excitement and joy. My parents, grandparents, and a few close friends gathered around, their faces beaming with expectation. My eyes darted between the packages, trying to guess which one held the object of my desire.
Finally, my mother handed me a large, rectangular box. The size and weight seemed just right. My heart pounded with excitement as I tore away the colorful paper, revealing a plain cardboard box underneath. I ripped open the lid, expecting to see the sleek, glossy surface of a brand-new gaming console. Instead, I found a set of encyclopedias. My heart sank, and the room seemed to blur as disappointment washed over me.
For a moment, I was speechless. I looked up at my parents, who were smiling proudly, clearly expecting a different reaction. “We thought these would be perfect for you,” my father said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. “They’ll help you with your school projects and expand your knowledge on so many topics.”
I tried to muster a smile, but it felt forced and unnatural. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but the stark contrast between what I had hoped for and what I had received was overwhelming. My friends, sensing my disappointment, exchanged awkward glances. The room, which had been buzzing with excitement just moments before, now felt heavy and uncomfortable.
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As the party continued, I struggled to hide my dismay. I thanked my parents and assured them that the encyclopedias were a thoughtful gift. Deep down, I knew they had my best interests at heart, but it was difficult to suppress the feeling of having been let down. My friends tried to cheer me up, but their efforts only made me more aware of my disappointment.
In the days that followed, I tried to engage with the encyclopedias. I flipped through the pages, trying to convince myself that they were as exciting as the gaming console I had longed for. While I did learn some interesting facts and found the illustrations captivating, it was impossible to shake the feeling of having missed out on something I had eagerly anticipated.
Reflecting on that experience now, I understand that my parents’ intention was to give me something valuable and educational. They wanted to provide me with tools to succeed academically and to foster a love for learning. At the time, however, the discrepancy between my expectations and reality was a bitter pill to swallow.
That birthday taught me an important lesson about gratitude and managing expectations. While the encyclopedias were not the gift I had dreamed of, they ultimately contributed to my intellectual growth in ways I couldn’t appreciate at the time. The experience also deepened my understanding of the thought and care that goes into giving gifts, reminding me that the true value of a gift lies in the intention behind it, rather than the item itself.
Word Count: 524