Describing Places And Buildings

1. DESCRIBING DESCRIBING
PLACES/BUILDINGSPLACES/BUILDINGS
Advanced levelAdvanced level
DESCRIBING
PLACES/BUILDINGS
ADVANCED LEVELS

2. EXPLANATION OF EXPLANATION OF
LAYOUTLAYOUTA composition describing a place/building should consist of:A composition describing a place/building should consist of:
an an introductionintroduction giving brief information about the name and giving brief information about the name and
location of the place/ building and stating the reason for choosing location of the place/ building and stating the reason for choosing
to write about it to write about it (e.g. What it is f(e.g. What it is famous amous for, what makes it so for, what makes it so
special, special, etc.)etc.)
a main bodya main body giving both general and specific details about the giving both general and specific details about the
place/building usually moving from the general features to specific place/building usually moving from the general features to specific
ones. ones. i) i) when you describe a pwhen you describe a place lace you should give the overall you should give the overall
impression by referring to landscape, buildings, landmarks, etc, impression by referring to landscape, buildings, landmarks, etc,
and particular details (sights to see, places to go, things to do) and particular details (sights to see, places to go, things to do) ii) ii)
when you describe a when you describe a building building you should write about its you should write about its
surroundings surroundings (e.g. situated in Oxford Street...), (e.g. situated in Oxford Street...), then give a then give a
detailed description of its exterior and interior; and,detailed description of its exterior and interior; and,
a conclusiona conclusion in which you express your feelings or opinion in which you express your feelings or opinion
concerning the subject or give a recommendation.concerning the subject or give a recommendation.

3. LAYOUT SUMMARYLAYOUT SUMMARY
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
Paragraph 1Paragraph 1
name/location/population of the place, reason for choosing the name/location/population of the place, reason for choosing the
placeplace
MAIN BODYMAIN BODY
Paragraphs 2 - 3Paragraphs 2 - 3
general features and par­ticular details:general features and par­ticular details:
 place: place: surroundings, sights, facilities, free­time activities.surroundings, sights, facilities, free­time activities.
building: building: surroundings, detailed description of exterior/interior.surroundings, detailed description of exterior/interior.
Paragraphs 4 - 5Paragraphs 4 - 5
explanation and example/justificationexplanation and example/justification
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
Final ParagraphFinal Paragraph
Comments / feelings and/ or a recommendationComments / feelings and/ or a recommendation

4. You may also be asked to You may also be asked to explain explain
why why a particular place is important a particular place is important
to you, popular, etc. Note that the to you, popular, etc. Note that the
number and length of paragraphs number and length of paragraphs
varies depending on the topic.varies depending on the topic.

5. Where are descriptive Where are descriptive
texts usually found?texts usually found?
Descriptions of places/buildings may Descriptions of places/buildings may
be included in several other types of be included in several other types of
writing tasks, such as writing tasks, such as stories, stories,
assessment reports, articles, assessment reports, articles,
brochures, letters and magazine brochures, letters and magazine
articles.articles.

6. POINTS TO CONSIDERPOINTS TO CONSIDER
Descriptions of places/buildings may include: Descriptions of places/buildings may include:
Factual informationFactual information such as age, size, colour, such as age, size, colour,
materials, etc materials, etc (e.g. The temple, with 10­metre ta// (e.g. The temple, with 10­metre ta//
marble columns, was built in marble columns, was built in 800 BC.). ( For 800 BC.). ( For
additional information check the order of additional information check the order of
adjectives power point)adjectives power point)
Details relating to the sensesDetails relating to the senses (sight, hearing, (sight, hearing,
smell, touch, taste) to suggest smell, touch, taste) to suggest mood mood and and
atmosphere atmosphere (e.g. Visitors' footsteps on the worn (e.g. Visitors' footsteps on the worn
stone floors echo through stone floors echo through the cool, dark corridors, the cool, dark corridors,
disturbing the tranquil silence.)disturbing the tranquil silence.)
Opinions/impressions Opinions/impressions of the place or building of the place or building (e.g. (e.g.
Tourists are fascinated by its air of mystery.)Tourists are fascinated by its air of mystery.)
Each aspect of the description should be presented in a Each aspect of the description should be presented in a
separate paragraph beginning with a clear topic separate paragraph beginning with a clear topic
sentence.sentence.

7. EXPRESSING IMPRESSIONSEXPRESSING IMPRESSIONS
You can express You can express positive positive
impressions of a place by:impressions of a place by:
a. using a variety of a. using a variety of adjectivesadjectives such as: such as:
awe­inspiring, breathtaking, delightful, elaborate, eyecatching, awe­inspiring, breathtaking, delightful, elaborate, eyecatching,
exquisite, majestic, outstanding, overwhelming, picturesque, quaint, exquisite, majestic, outstanding, overwhelming, picturesque, quaint,
spellbinding,superb, tranquil, spellbinding,superb, tranquil, etc.etc.
 e.g. e.g. The castle, standing at the top of the mountain overlooking the The castle, standing at the top of the mountain overlooking the
city, is city, is awe-inspiring.awe-inspiring.
b b using a variety of using a variety of present or past participlespresent or past participles from such verbs from such verbs
as:as:
amaze, astonish, astound, impress, inspire, overwhelm, refresh, amaze, astonish, astound, impress, inspire, overwhelm, refresh,
stimulate, stimulate, etc.etc.
e.g. / e.g. / was/felt astounded at how beautiful Florida is in winter. ... the was/felt astounded at how beautiful Florida is in winter. ... the
astonishing Image of children pushing rickshaws. astonishing Image of children pushing rickshaws.
c using a variety of c using a variety of nounsnouns in expressions such as: in expressions such as:
to to my amazement/astonishment/delight/surprise/etcmy amazement/astonishment/delight/surprise/etc
e.g. To my delight, the place had kept its character.e.g. To my delight, the place had kept its character.

8. You can express You can express negative negative
impressions of a place by:impressions of a place by:
a using a variety of a using a variety of adjectivesadjectives such as: such as:
barren, bleak, derelict, dilapidated, disreputable, inhospitable, barren, bleak, derelict, dilapidated, disreputable, inhospitable,
neglected,squalid, neglected,squalid, etc.etc.
e.g. e.g. The building was in a The building was in a dilapidated dilapidated state, state,
b using a variety of b using a variety of present or past participlespresent or past participles from from
such verbs as:such verbs as:
depress, disappoint, dismay, terrify, shock, depress, disappoint, dismay, terrify, shock, etc etc
e.g.... e.g.... the the disappointing disappointing view of the unsightly housing. view of the unsightly housing.
c using a variety of c using a variety of nounsnouns in expressions such as: in expressions such as:
to to my disappointment/surprise/etcmy disappointment/surprise/etc
e.g. e.g. To my disappointment, To my disappointment, the once­tranquil village had the once­tranquil village had
turned ínto a crowded tourist resort.turned ínto a crowded tourist resort.

9. Useful Language: Explaining Useful Language: Explaining
ImpressionsImpressions
Paris Paris makes makes an immediate/enduring/lasting an immediate/enduring/lasting
impression onimpression on all who visit it, since it is such a all who visit it, since it is such a
glamorous city. glamorous city.
What strikes/impresses/delightsWhat strikes/impresses/delights visitors visitors
about the resort about the resort mostmost is its unique is its unique
surroundings.surroundings.
 The most noticeable/outstanding feature ofThe most noticeable/outstanding feature of
the palace the palace is is its golden dome.its golden dome.
A huge statue of a lion A huge statue of a lion iis s the first thing one the first thing one
noticesnotices upon entering the temple.upon entering the temple.

10. One One cannot help but be impressed/moved/struck cannot help but be impressed/moved/struck
byby the natural beauty of the region. the natural beauty of the region.
Without doubt, Without doubt, the most impressive thing aboutthe most impressive thing about
San Francisco San Francisco is is the Golden Gate Bridge. the Golden Gate Bridge.
The The thing which makes the strongest/most thing which makes the strongest/most
enduring impression is enduring impression is thethe hospitality of the locals.hospitality of the locals.
I was I was immediately struck byimmediately struck by the staggering number the staggering number
of huge skyscrapers. of huge skyscrapers.
One One particularly marvels/wonders atparticularly marvels/wonders at the variety of the variety of
attractions offered. attractions offered.

11. The first thing one notices aboutThe first thing one notices about the house the house
is its overgrown garden. is its overgrown garden.
The reason thatThe reason that the area is so depressing the area is so depressing is is
thatthat there are so many derelict buildings.there are so many derelict buildings.
The filthy, congested streets The filthy, congested streets confirmed my confirmed my
initial impressioninitial impression that it was an unpleasant that it was an unpleasant
city.city.
Undoubtedly, Undoubtedly, tthe he thing/feature that will thing/feature that will
disappointdisappoint any visitor any visitor isis the lack of facilities.the lack of facilities.

12. Exercise 1. Exercise 1. Rewrite the sentences using Rewrite the sentences using
the words in bold without changing the the words in bold without changing the
meaning.meaning.
1. When visiting Paris, one particulary marvels at the 1. When visiting Paris, one particulary marvels at the
incredible architecture of the Pompidou Centre. incredible architecture of the Pompidou Centre. ( help)( help)
2. What impressed me most about hte entire building 2. What impressed me most about hte entire building
was the lavishly-decorated reception hall. was the lavishly-decorated reception hall. ( strongest)( strongest)
3. The first thing that one notices about the city is that 3. The first thing that one notices about the city is that
there are so many well-preserved medieval buildings. there are so many well-preserved medieval buildings.
( noticeable)( noticeable)
4. Undoubtedly the thing that will impress you most 4. Undoubtedly the thing that will impress you most
about Sydney is the amazing Opera Houseabout Sydney is the amazing Opera House.( doubt).( doubt)
5. What strikes visitors to Mykonos most is the perfect 5. What strikes visitors to Mykonos most is the perfect
combination of glamour and tradition. combination of glamour and tradition. ( immediate)( immediate)

13. VOCABULARY AND VOCABULARY AND
GRAMMARGRAMMAR
The use of The use of descriptive vocabularydescriptive vocabulary (e.g. exquisite, exclusive, (e.g. exquisite, exclusive,
towering, etc)towering, etc)
 a a variety of variety of linking wordslinking words and structuresand structures as well as narrative as well as narrative
techniques will make your writing more interesting.techniques will make your writing more interesting.
Present tensesPresent tenses are normally used when describing a place for a are normally used when describing a place for a
tourist brochure or a magazine article. tourist brochure or a magazine article.
Past tensesPast tenses are normally used when describing a visit to a are normally used when describing a visit to a
place/building. place/building.
First and second conditionalsFirst and second conditionals (will/would) can be used when you (will/would) can be used when you
describe your ideal city/house, etc. describe your ideal city/house, etc.
Note that when we give factual information about a place or building Note that when we give factual information about a place or building
this is normally given using Present tenses, this is normally given using Present tenses, (e.g. I flew to Madrid (e.g. I flew to Madrid last last
Monday. Madrid isMonday. Madrid is situated in the central point of the Iberian situated in the central point of the Iberian
peninsula with a population of about 3,000,000.)peninsula with a population of about 3,000,000.)

14. LOCATION VERBS AND LOCATION VERBS AND
PREPOSITIONSPREPOSITIONS
There are a number of verbs used to describe the There are a number of verbs used to describe the
location and/or surroundings of a place. These may location and/or surroundings of a place. These may
explain explain position position (e.g. the old house is situated next (e.g. the old house is situated next
to/is surrounded by..)to/is surrounded by..); ; they may also give some they may also give some
suggestion of suggestion of movement (e.g. movement (e.g. the road the road leadsleads up up
to/winds past...) to/winds past...) and/or and/or action action (e.g. the statue (e.g. the statue
towerstowers above/stands at the top of...). above/stands at the top of...).
These verbs are naturally used with These verbs are naturally used with prepositions and prepositions and
prepositional/adverbial phrases prepositional/adverbial phrases (e.g. leads (e.g. leads up to, up to,
winds winds past, past, stands stands at the top ofat the top of, etc)., etc).

15. Participles & Relative ClausesParticiples & Relative Clauses
-Short sentences with the same subject -Short sentences with the same subject
may be joined with participles (~ing ~ed) may be joined with participles (~ing ~ed)
or relative pronouns (who/which/whose).or relative pronouns (who/which/whose).
The cottage stands at the top of a cliff. It faces out to sea.The cottage stands at the top of a cliff. It faces out to sea.
The cottage, The cottage, which which stands stands at at the top of the top of a a cliff, cliff, facesfaces out to out to
sea.sea.
The cottage, standing at the top of a The cottage, standing at the top of a cliff, cliff, facesfaces out to sea. out to sea.
The farmhouse was built in 1850. It is surrounded by fields.The farmhouse was built in 1850. It is surrounded by fields.
The farmhouse, [which was] built in 1850f The farmhouse, [which was] built in 1850f is surroundedis surrounded by by
fields.fields.
The participial clause is often put at the beginning of the sentence:The participial clause is often put at the beginning of the sentence:
StandingStanding at the top of a cliff, the at the top of a cliff, the cottage cottage facesfaces out to sea. out to sea.
Built Built in 1850, the farmhouse is in 1850, the farmhouse is surroundedsurrounded by fields. by fields.

16. Note how the meaning of the sentence changes when Note how the meaning of the sentence changes when
two sentences with different subjects are joined with a two sentences with different subjects are joined with a
participle.participle.
1 Tourists walk through the streets. 2 Noises and 1 Tourists walk through the streets. 2 Noises and
smells greet them. smells greet them.
1 1 Walking Walking through the streets, 2 through the streets, 2 noises and smells noises and smells greet the greet the
tourists.tourists.
This means that the noises and smells are walking! This means that the noises and smells are walking!
Instead, you must keep the same subject for both Instead, you must keep the same subject for both
clauses, or use time words such as "while": clauses, or use time words such as "while":
Walking Walking through the streets, through the streets, tourists tourists are greeted by are greeted by
noises and smells. noises and smells. While While the tourists walkthe tourists walk through the through the
streets, noises and smells greet them.streets, noises and smells greet them.

17. PRACTICE: exercise 2PRACTICE: exercise 2
Link the sentences below starting each sentence with the Link the sentences below starting each sentence with the
correct form of the words in correct form of the words in yellowyellow..
1. The castle 1. The castle dominatesdominates the skyline. It isthe skyline. It is
built of local stone.built of local stone.
2. The museum 2. The museum was openedwas opened in 1939. It isin 1939. It is
visited by thousands of people every day.visited by thousands of people every day.
3. The temple 3. The temple is surroundedis surrounded byby trees. It istrees. It is
difficult to see from a distance.difficult to see from a distance.
4. Greater London 4. Greater London coverscovers 610 square610 square
miles. It is the largest city in Britain.miles. It is the largest city in Britain.
5. The monument was 5. The monument was erectederected in 1919. It isin 1919. It is
a memorial to those who died in Worlda memorial to those who died in World
War I.War I.

18. CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL
AND INFORMAL STYLEAND INFORMAL STYLE
Descriptions of places can be written in a formal or informal style Descriptions of places can be written in a formal or informal style
depending on whom they are addressed to and how the writer depending on whom they are addressed to and how the writer
wants to present the description. For example, a description of a wants to present the description. For example, a description of a
place you visited in a letter to a friend of yours would be informal, place you visited in a letter to a friend of yours would be informal,
whereas a description of a place issued by the Tourist Authority in whereas a description of a place issued by the Tourist Authority in
order to promote the place would be written in a formal style.order to promote the place would be written in a formal style.
Formal style iFormal style is characterised by an impersonal non-emotional s characterised by an impersonal non-emotional
way of expressing your ideas, frequent use of the passive, non-way of expressing your ideas, frequent use of the passive, non-
colloquial English and complex sentences. Short forms are colloquial English and complex sentences. Short forms are
acceptable only in quotes. acceptable only in quotes. Informal style Informal style is characterised by a is characterised by a
personal, emotional and chatty way of expressing your ideas and personal, emotional and chatty way of expressing your ideas and
use of colloquial English (idiomatic expressions), ¡dioms and short use of colloquial English (idiomatic expressions), ¡dioms and short
forms.forms.

19. Compare the Compare the
examples:examples:
— — The cottage, once inhabited by a famous The cottage, once inhabited by a famous
poet, was poet, was built built atop a steep, rocky hillside atop a steep, rocky hillside
overlooking an idyllic landscape of lush overlooking an idyllic landscape of lush
fields divided by ancient dry stone walls. fields divided by ancient dry stone walls.
(formal) — (formal) — My dad's cottage is out of this My dad's cottage is out of this
world as it's right on the top world as it's right on the top of a of a hill and hill and
looks down on gorgeous green fields which looks down on gorgeous green fields which
are are split split up by old dry stone walls. up by old dry stone walls. (informal)(informal)

20. EXERCISE 3:EXERCISE 3:
Fill in the gaps with words from the list below: Use the words Fill in the gaps with words from the list below: Use the words
only once. only once.
stretch out, is set in, winds through, nestles at, is perched on, stretch out, is set in, winds through, nestles at, is perched on,
curves around, sprawl out, is located in, slopes down tocurves around, sprawl out, is located in, slopes down to
The small house, which ................................................. the centre of The small house, which ................................................. the centre of
town,town,
is packed with antiques.is packed with antiques.
The narrow country lañe ................................................ the wooded The narrow country lañe ................................................ the wooded
valley.valley.
The steep hillside ..................................................................... the The steep hillside ..................................................................... the
seashore.seashore.
The hotel .................................................... the towering Welsh The hotel .................................................... the towering Welsh
mountains.mountains.
The river .............................................................. the base of the The river .............................................................. the base of the
mountain.mountain.
The plains ......................................................................... in every The plains ......................................................................... in every
direction.direction.
The cabin ................................ precariously ................................. a The cabin ................................ precariously ................................. a
clifftop.clifftop.
The suburbs ................................................................. into the The suburbs ................................................................. into the
countryside.countryside.
A tiny village ............................................... the foot of the high mountain.A tiny village ............................................... the foot of the high mountain.

21. Keys exercise 1Keys exercise 1
1. When visiting Paris, one cannot help but marvel at 1. When visiting Paris, one cannot help but marvel at
the incredible…the incredible…
2. The thing about the entire building which made me 2. The thing about the entire building which made me
the strongest impression was the lavishly-decorated the strongest impression was the lavishly-decorated
reception hall.reception hall.
3. The most noticeable thing about the city is its many 3. The most noticeable thing about the city is its many
well-preserved medieval buildings.well-preserved medieval buildings.
4. Without doubt, the most impressive thing about 4. Without doubt, the most impressive thing about
Sydney is the amazing Opera House.Sydney is the amazing Opera House.
5. What makes an immediate impression on visitors to 5. What makes an immediate impression on visitors to
Mykonos is the perfect combination of glamour and Mykonos is the perfect combination of glamour and
tradition.tradition.

22. Keys exercise 2Keys exercise 2
1. Dominating 1. Dominating the skyline, the castle is built of local the skyline, the castle is built of local
stone.stone.
2. Opened 2. Opened in 1939, the museum is visited by thou-in 1939, the museum is visited by thou-
sands of people every day.sands of people every day.
3. Surrounded 3. Surrounded by trees, the temple is difficult to seeby trees, the temple is difficult to see
from a distance.from a distance.
4. Covering 4. Covering 610 square miles, London is the largest610 square miles, London is the largest
city in Britain.city in Britain.
5. Erected 5. Erected in 1919, the monument is a memorial toin 1919, the monument is a memorial to
those who died in World War I.those who died in World War I.

23. Keys exercise 3Keys exercise 3
1. is located in1. is located in
2. winds through2. winds through
3. slopes down to3. slopes down to
4. is set in4. is set in
5. curves around5. curves around
6. stretch out6. stretch out
7.is perched ... on7.is perched ... on
8. sprawl out8. sprawl out
9. nestles at9. nestles at

24. Homework for the Homework for the
Scottish cinema Scottish cinema
projectproject
Now that you have the tools to make complex Now that you have the tools to make complex
descriptions, you can describe the setting of a descriptions, you can describe the setting of a
film.film.
Choose one film next Tuesday and provide a Choose one film next Tuesday and provide a
complex description of the setting. ( 250 words complex description of the setting. ( 250 words
maximum).maximum).
Use this power point as a reference for the Use this power point as a reference for the
vocabulary and grammar you should include in vocabulary and grammar you should include in
your descriptions .your descriptions .
Deadline: 2nd March.Deadline: 2nd March.

25. Thanks to Thanks to
Virginia Evans. Successful writing Virginia Evans. Successful writing
proficiency. Express Publishingproficiency. Express Publishing
Photo: Cliffs of Moher, Ireland ( 2009)Photo: Cliffs of Moher, Ireland ( 2009)