Two sides of A4, pupil sheet only. Tick Background graphics in the print box for the colours (it works fine without).Teacher notesAnswers

Words That Work

Adjectives, adverbs and noun phrases chosen for effect

Lesson 6
Spicy
Name
Date
Chef Polpetta

Every describing word must earn its place. If it repeats another word, or the reader cannot picture it, cut it.

1

Tick the words at work

aThe tiny, small kitten.The shivering kitten.words at work
bWaves hurled themselves at the rocks.The very big waves were really big.words at work
cHe walked very slowly and sadly.He trudged home.words at work
da gate that was old and rusty and olda rusted gate that screamed on its hingeswords at work
2

Find the 4 mistakes

The night market. Lanterns swung gently above the crowded stalls. The food was nice. A tiny, small, little monkey sat on a crate. Spices glowed orange and red in their sacks. The music was very loud and noisy. A trader shouted cheerfully. It was a good evening.
Three sentences have words that work. The others are tired or say the same thing twice.
Write the corrections here
SPAGhetti · Lesson 6 · Words That Work  ·  Spicy Turn over →   1 of 2

Words That Work

Lesson 6 · Spicy · side 2

Name
3

Now you write

☆☆☆
a Rewrite The house was very old and very scary with one strong noun phrase:
b Rewrite She walked very quickly with a stronger verb and no adverb:
c Describe a busy kitchen in one sentence where every describing word does a job:
4

Help Polpetta

Chef Polpetta

I described the giant! The big, huge, enormous giant. Three adjectives! The more the better, no?

Explain why piling up adjectives weakens writing, then describe the giant in one sentence without saying big.
SPAGhetti · Lesson 6 · Words That Work  ·  Spicy  ·  2 of 2 Play it
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