Essay Writing: Narrative, Descriptive, Reflective & Argumentative is one of 9 topics in the Grade 9 English Home Language CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What does a narrative essay do?
Tells a story, real or imagined, with a beginning, middle and end
Describes a scene with no real plot
Argues for one side of a debatable topic
Presents a factual report under headings
Answer: Tells a story, real or imagined, with a beginning, middle and end — A narrative essay tells a story with a clear beginning, middle and end, built on setting, characters and conflict.
Easy
2. What is the main purpose of a descriptive essay?
To paint a vivid picture of a person, place, object or moment using sensory detail
To tell a story with a clear plot and conflict
To argue for one side of an issue
To summarise a longer text accurately
Answer: To paint a vivid picture of a person, place, object or moment using sensory detail — A descriptive essay has no real plot; its purpose is to vividly describe using sensory detail.
Medium
3. Which sentence uses more vivid, specific detail: "The door opened" or "The old wooden door groaned open, releasing a smell of dust and forgotten paper"?
Answer: The old wooden door groaned open, releasing a smell of dust and forgotten paper — The longer sentence uses specific sensory detail (sound, smell) rather than the vague generalisation of "the door opened."
