DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

I. General Description
Descriptive writing or text is usually also used to help writer
develop an aspect of their work, e.g. to create a particular mood,
atmosphere or describe a place so that the reader can create vivid
pictures of characters, places, objects etc.
1. Purpose of the text :
Social function (purpose) : to describe a particular person, place
or thing.
As a feature, description is a style of writing which can be useful
for other variety of purposes as:
• To engage a reader’s attention.
• To create characters.
• To set a mood or create an atmosphere.
• To being writing to life.
2. Generic Structure :
Descriptive text has structure as below:
• Identification: identifying the phenomenon to be
described.
• Description: describing the phenomenon in parts,
qualities, or/and characteristics.
3. Lexico Grammatical :
• Using Simple Present Tense.
• Using action verbs.
• Using passive voice.
• Using noun phrase.
• Using adverbial phrase.
• Using technical terms.
• Using general and abstract noun.
• Using conjunction of time and cause-effect.

II. Lexico In Detail

1. Simple Present Tense :
Pattern :
a) (+) S + Be (is, am, are) + Object
S + Verb1 + object
Example : - I am lazy.
- You bring my book.
b) (-) S + do/does + not + verb1 + Object
S + be + not + Object
Example : - I am not lazy.
- You do not bring my book.
 c) (?) Be + S + Object +?
Do/does + S + Verb 1 + object +?
Example : - Am I lazy?
- Do you bring my book?
We use the simple present tense when:
• The action is general.
• The action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present
and future.
• The action is not only happening now.
There are three important exceptions:
• For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary.
• For the 3rd person singular (he, she, it), we add s to the main verb
or es to the auxiliary.
• For the verb to be, we do not use an auxiliary, even for questions
and negatives.the statement is always true.
2. Action Verbs

Picture 1 Picture 2
In Picture 1, a boy is playing with a ball, while in Picture 2,
a girl is eating an ice cream. The words playing and eating
tell us what the boy and girl are doing. Words that tell what
people or things do are called Action Verbs.
Examples : - The ship sailed an hour ago.
- The swimmer dived into the water.
3. Passive Voice
a) Use of Passive
Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is
not important or not known, however, who or what is
performing the action.
Example: My bike was stolen.
In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike
was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.Sometimes
a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as
the following example shows:
Example: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made,
but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a
mistake.).
b) Form of Passive
 Pattern :
Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd
column of irregular verbs)
Example: A letter was written.
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the
following:
• The object of the active sentence becomes the subject
of the passive sentence.
• The finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past
participle).
• The subject of the active sentence becomes the object
of the passive sentence (or is dropped).
c) Example of Passive
Active : Rita is writing a letter.
Passive : A letter is being written by Rita.
4. Noun Phrase
A noun phrase is either a single noun or pronoun or a group of words
containing a noun or a pronoun that function together as a noun or
pronoun, as the subject or object of a verb.
a. Example of Noun Phrases
Example 1 : John was late.
('John' is the noun phrase functioning as the subject of the verb.)
Example 2 : The people that I saw coming in the building at nine o'clock
have just left.
('The people ... nine o'clock' is a lengthy noun phrase, but it functions as
the subject of the main verb 'have just left'.)
5. Adverbial Phrase
An adverbial phrase is a group of related words which play the role of an
adverb. Like all phrases, an adverbial phrase does not include a subject and
a verb.
Example :
o Tony decided to move to Reading yesterday. (normal adverb)
o Tony decided to move to Slough in June last year. (adverbial
phrase)
6. General/Common Noun
A common noun is a noun that refers to a person, thing and
place. Examples : dog, house, picture, computer
• Common nouns are represented in the singular and
plural form.
• Common nouns are represented by lower case letters.
Examples of the usage of common nouns:
• The red book is on the table.
• The black dog is in my yard.
• The computers are new.
7. Abstract Noun
 An abstract noun refers to states, events, concepts,
feelings, qualities, etc., that have no physical existence.
Example : Freedom, happiness, idea, music
An abstract noun can be either a countable noun or
uncountable noun. Abstract nouns that refer to events are
almost usually countable: a noise; a meeting.

III. Example Text

Text 1 Giraffe
Identification :
The giraffe has big brown eyes. They are protected by very
thick lashes. This giraffe has brown spots on the skin. This
coloring helps protect the giraffe. It also has two short horns on
its head.
Description :
Like a camel, it can go for a long time without drinking
water. One source of water is the leaves which it eats from trees.
It is tall, so the giraffe can reach the tender leaves at the top a
tree.
The giraffe has two methods of self protection. If something
frightens an adult giraffe, it can gallop away at about fifty
kilometers per hour or stay to fight with its strong legs.

Text 2 Snake
Identification :
Snakes do not see or hear as well as other animals. A snake
has eyes but no eyelids. They have clear scales over their eyes.
Most snakes can see movement, but some snakes are blind.
Description :
Snake do not have ears. They have bones in their heads
that can sense low sounds and vibrations.
Snakes have a great sense of smell. A snake flicks out its
forked (divided) tongue to collect scents. It doesn’t mean the
snake is hungry. The snake pulls its tongue in and sticks the
forked tips other snakes as well as prey (animals they hunt for
food).
Pit vipers, boas, and pythons have small pits on their heads that
can sense heat. These pits help a snake sense when warm-
blooded animal is near.

Text 3 Bears
Identification :
 Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are
classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds
being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight
living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide
variety of habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere and
partially in the Southern Hemisphere. Bears are found in the
continents of North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Description :
Common characteristic of modern bears incloude a large
body with short and solid legs, a long snout, shaggy hair,
plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and a short tail.
While the polar bear is mostly carnivorous and the giant panda
feed almost entirely on bamboo, the remaining six species are
omnivorous, with largely varied diets including both plants and
animals.
With exceptions of courting individuals and mothers with
their young, bears are typically solitary animals. They are
sometimes diurnal, but are usually active during the night
(nocturnal) or twilight (crepuscular). Bears are aided by an
excellent sense of smell. Despite their heavy build and awkward
gait, they can run quickly and are adept climbers and swimmers.

Text 4 Kansai International Airport

Identification :
Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Japan is the world’s first
international airport built on a man-made island, 5 km off the
Senshu coast Osaka Bay.
Description :
Its terminal, a beautiful, modern four-story structure, is the
longest in the world (1,7 km) and was designed by the prominent
Italian architect, Renzo Piano.
Indeed, even first-time passengers feel the comfort and the
convenience of KIX in terms of the procedures and flow that need
to be followed, from the time one disembarks up to picking the
baggage. International arrivals sort out immigration matters and
baggage on the first floor, while international departures take
place on the third floor after one is ticketed on the fourth floor. A
24-Hour Airport Lounge, Business Center, VIP and Conference
Rooms, and, of course, Duty Free Shops offering branded good at
attractive prices are readily available. If you happen to be
traveling with your pet, you can always have to kept at the Pet
Hotel, the first ever in Japan.
The fact that the airport is 5 km away from Osaka is hardly
a problem. With scheduled ferry, bus services, and taxis in
places, you only need a very short time to reach the other side.
Text 5 Animal
Identification :
Zoologists divide animals into about 30 groups. First, they
divide them by whether they have a backbone. Animals that have
a backbone are called vertebrates. Animals that do not have a
backbone are called invertebrates.
Description :
The biggest and best-known animal group is vertebrates.
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish are vertebrates.
You are vertebrate. Your backbone is also called your spine.
There are about 40.000 species of vertebrates.
There are far more species of invertebrates. Even though
you can probably think of many vertebrates, the many kinds of
invertebrates greatly outnumber vertebrates. Almost all
invertebrates are small animals. Insects, spiders, mollusks, and
worms are all invertebrates. The biggest invertebrates is the
giant squid. It can be up to 60 feet (18 meters) long.

Text 6 Durian
Identification :
The Durian is the fruit of trees of the genus Durio. This fruit
is distinctive for its large size, unique odor, and a formidable
thorn-covered husk. It can grow up to 30 centimeters (12in) long
and 15 centimeters (6in) in a diameter, and typically weighs one
to three kilograms (2 to 7lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to
round, the color of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale-
yellow to red, depending on species. The hard outer husk is
covered with sharp, prickly thorns, while the adible flesh within
emits the distinctive odor, which is regarded as either fragnant or
overpowering and offensive. The odor of the ripe fruit is very
strong and penetrating, even when the husk of the fruit is still
intact.
Description :
The flesh of the durian, famously described by the British
naturalist. Alfred Russel Wallace, as “rich custard highly flavored
with almonds”, can be consumed at various stages of ripeness
and is used to flavor a wide variety of edibles, both savory and
sweet.
Durians from different species or clones can have
significantly different aromas, for example red durian has a deep
caramel flavor with a turpentine odor and red-fleshed durian
emits a fragrance of roasted almonds. The degree of ripeness has
a great effect on the flavor as well. Three scientific analyses of
the composition of durian aroma – from 1972, 1980, and 1995 –
each found a different mix of volatile compounds, including
esters, ketones, and many different organosulfur compounds,
with no agreement on which may be primarily responsible for the
distinctive odor.

Text 7 Eiffel Tower

Identification :
The Eiffel Tower is really amazing. It is divided by three
platforms : the first lies 57 meters up, the second at 115 meters,
and the third at 276 meters. Above this, Gustave Eiffel had his
own office installed, which was later to become a Television
Transmitting Station with its aerial terminating at 320 meters.
Description :
The restaurants and boutiques on the first and second floors
attract many visitors, most of whom naturally choose tha lifts
installed in the pillars. One of the most unique panoramas in the
world can be seen from the third floor; here the eye spans an
ocean of town planning, rising out of which are the most noted
monuments of Paris as well as the ultra-modern Tours de la
Defense.
Although no damage was incurred during the tower’s
construction, it was indirectly responsible afterwards for the
thousands of mad acts carried out by some very unusual
characters that did not always succeed in their adventurous
attempts. For example, some fun-loving runners organized races
to the top of the first floor, while others tried to cycle down the
steps.
The tower stands high and mighty above the Champ-de-
Mars, which at one time was the scene of military maneuvers and
later turned into public gardens at the beginning of the century.
Walking though, we can admire the flowerbeds, waterfalls, tiny
lake, and the wide avenues that cross the gardens.

Text 8 Prambanan
Identification :
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in Central Java
in Indonesia, located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta.
Description :
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the
largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall
and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by
the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual
temples.
It was built around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the
second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya
Dynasty. Not long after its construction, the temple was abandoned
and began to deteriorate. Reconstruction of the compound began in
1918. The main building was completed in around 1953. Much of the
original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction
sites. A temple will only be rebuilt if at least 75% of the original stones
are available, and therefore only the foundation walls of most of the
smaller shrines are now visible and with no plans for their
reconstruction.
The temple was damaged during the earthquake in Java in 2006.
Early photos suggest that although the complex appears to be
structurally intact, damage is significant. Large pieces of debris,
including carvings, were scattered over the ground. The temple has
been closed to the public until damage can be fully assessed. The head
of Yogyakarta Archaeological Conservation Agency stated that: “it will
take months to identify the precise damage”. However, some weeks
later in 2006 the site re-opened for visitors. The immediate
surroundings of the Hindu temples remain off-limits for safety reasons.

IV. Question
1. Text 1 Giraffe

1) Adult giraffe can gallop away at about…

a. Fourty kilometers per hour
b. Fifty kilometers per second
c. Thirty kilometers per hour
d. Fifty kilometers per hour
e. Sixty kilometers per minute

2) The word “it” in paragraph 1 reference to…

a. Giraffe
b. Skin
c. Horn
d. Spot
e. Eyes

3) The word ‘gallop’ in the last sentence means…

a. Run
b. Fight
c. Protect
d. Walk
 e. Reach

4) From the description, we may conclude that giraffe…

a. Need more water than camels
b. Do not need much water
c. Eats tree leaves for water
d. Need water and do not need leaves
e. Do not need tree leaves

5) The giraffe has … eyes.

a. Black
b. Blue
c. Brown
d. White
e. Chocolate
2. Text 2 Snake

1) What does the text tell you about?

a. Snake senses
b. Phytons
c. Boas
d. Pit vipers
e. Bones

2) What does a snake flick out its tongue for?

a. To clean its mouth
b. To show its hunger
c. To collect scents
d. To breathe well
e. To see other animals

3) What is the main idea of the third paragraph?

a. Snakes have a great sense of smell

b. Jacobson’s organ is very important
c. Other snakes can be snake’s preys
d. Certain snakes always pull their tongues
e. The food snakes.

4) “… find other snakes as well as prey (animal they hunt for

food).”
What does the word “they” refer to?

a. The organs
b. The roof of their mouths
 c. The preys
d. The snakes
e. The tongue
5) “… their heads that can sense heat.”
The synonym of underlined word is …

a. Cold
b. Feel
c. Fresh
d. Heavy
e. Hot

3. Text 3 Bears

1) How many species of bear are still living now?

a. 8
b. 7
c. 6
d. 5
e. 4

2) The following statements are true based on the text above,

except …

a. Bears in the genus of giant panda only eat plants

b. Bears are hardly found in the Northern Hemisphere
c. Most species of bears generally feed on plants and animals
d. There are only eight species of bears existing in the world
today
e. Characteristics of modern bear doesn’t include large body

3) What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

a. Bears are expert in climbing and swimming

b. Animal can sense smell from a long distance
c. All creatures can run quickly as human can
d. Bears are naturally isolated animals
e. Characteristic of bears

4) The purpose of the text is …

a. To describe about bears

b. To protect bear’s habitat
c. To show that bears are large
d. To make people aware of bears
 e. To entertain with bear’s attraction

5) “… bears are typically solitary animals.”

Synonym of the underlined word is …

a. Crowd
b. Many
c. Much
d. Lonely
e. Mate

4. Text 4 Kansai International Airport

1) The text is about …

a. The Kansai International Airport (KIX)

b. The Osaka Bay
c. The Senshu coast at Osaka Bay
d. The prominent Italian architect, Renzo Piano
e. The Pet Hotel, the first ever in Japan
2) The Kansai Airport belongs to the … airport in the world built on
a man-made island.

a. Fifth
b. Fourth
c. Third
d. Second
e. First

3) The following statements are true about the airport, except …

a. It is one of the beautiful airports

b. Its terminal is very modern
c. It has a terminal with four-story structure
d. It is not the longest one in the world
e. It has Pet Hotel

4) On which floor is the international departure done?

a. The fifth floor

b. The fourth floor
c. The third floor
d. The second floor
e. The first floor
5) How far the KIX from the Senshu coast at Osaka Bay?

a. 1 km
b. 2 km
c. 3 km
d. 4 km
e. 5km

5. Text 5 Animal

1) What is the text about?

a. Zoologist’s work
b. Kinds of animals
c. The biggest animals
d. Species of human
e. Insect and mollusks

2) Squids belong to invertebrate because they have …

a. No backbone
b. Backbone
c. Good spines
d. Fins to swim
e. Small body

3) The text shows that the number of invertebrates is … the

vertebrates.

a. More than
b. As many as
c. Almost equal
d. The same
e. Less than

4) What is the main idea of paragraph 2?

a. Almost all vertebrates belong to small creatures

b. A human being belongs to the best vertebrate
c. There are about 40.000 species of vertebrates
d. The biggest and best-known animal group is vertebrates

5) The biggest invertebrate is …

a. Spider
b. Worm
 c. Fish
d. Mollusk
e. Squid

6. Text 6 Durian

1) The text is about the fruit called …

a. Caramels
b. Ketones
c. Almonds
d. Durians
e. Ester

2) Which of the following statements is not true based on the text?

a. The odor of the ripe fruit is enjoyable

b. The deep caramel is one of the durian’s flavors
c. The hard outer husk is covered with sharp thorns
d. The ripeness determines the flavor of the fruit
e. The degree of ripeness has a great effect on the flavor as well

3) The above text is written … us about durians

a. To promote
b. To entertain
c. To avoid
d. To inform
e. To buy

4) “The degree of … the flavor as well.” What is the meaning of

“flavor”?

a. Taste and smell of food

b. Sharp unpleasant taste
c. Strong taste of a meal
d. Taste of sugar
e. Taste of sweet’s food

5) “… at various stages of ripeness …” The synonym of underlined

word is …

a. Step
b. Weight
c. Long
d. Done
 e. Phase

7. Text 7 Eiffel Tower

1) What does the text tell you about?

a. The beauty of Paris

b. The Eiffel Tower
c. The Champ-de-Mars
d. The unique panoramas
e. The boutiques

2) How many floors does the tower have?

a. 7
b. 6
c. 5
d. 4
e. 3

3) The boutiques are located on the … of the tower.

a. First floor
b. Second floor
c. Third floor
d. Fourth floor
e. Fifth floor

4) What is the third paragraph about?

a. The mad acts done by people in the Tower

b. The garden surrounding the Eiffel Tower
c. The damage of the construction
d. The ways to step down the tower
e. The visitors of the Tower.

5) “… always succeed in their adventurous attempts.” The synonym

of underlined word is …

a. Lose
b. False
c. Satisfied
d. Stride
e. Luck

8. Text 8 Prambanan
1) What is the text tell you about?

a. About temple
b. About Prambanan Temple
c. About UNESCO
d. About Rakai Pikatan

2) When Prambanan Temple was built?

a. 1200 CE
b. 570 CE
c. 670 CE
d. 690 CE
e. 850 CE

3) Where is Prambanan Temple located?

a. In Central Java
b. In 18 km east of Klaten
c. In Magelang
d. In Semarang
e. In Kebumen

4) When the temple was damaged?

a. During the earthquake in 2006

b. When it was built
c. In 850 CE
d. In 690 CE
e. In 1953

5) Below is true based text, except …

a. Prambanan was built in 850 CE

b. It’s one the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia
c. Located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta
d. It’s a Buddhist temple
e. It’s high is 47 m
V. Bibliography :
http://inibapakbudi.blogspot.com/2009/11/description-
text.html
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive
http://www.grammar-
monster.com/glossary/adverbial_phrases.htm
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/abstract-noun.html
Picture :
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-38348803/stock-photo-little-
girl-eating-the-ice-cream.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5473414_host-team-tailgating-
party-event.html
VI. Proverb

1. A change is as good as a rest

2. A good beginning makes a good ending
3. A problem shared is a problem halved
4. A soft answer turneth away wrath
5. A trouble shared is a trouble halved
6. A woman's work is never done
7. A word to the wise is enough
8. Ask no questions and hear no lies
9. Boys will be boys
10. Better safe than sorry
VII. Motto
1. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is,
won't make you cry.
2. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside
them knowing you can't have them.
3. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you
may be the world.
4. Don‘t waste your time on a man/woman, who isn't willing to
waste their time on you.
5. Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least
expect them to.
 ENGLISH
Descriptive Text

Anggota :

1. Faizal Syahrul F. (13)

2. Nagati S. (21)
3. Nur Abrid D.(23)
4. Teguh P. (28)
SMAN 1 MUNTILAN
2010/2011