Writing: B1 - Lesson 7: Using Adjectives to Describe a Place or Experience

Writing: Narrative & Descriptive

B1 Lesson 7: Using Adjectives to Describe a Place or Experience

Listen to the examples here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use a variety of sensory and vivid adjectives to write descriptions that "show" instead of just "tell."

Before You Write 🧠

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

Let's learn these important words for this lesson.

Adjective

| គុណនាម

A word that describes a noun (a person, place, or thing). E.g., red, hot, beautiful.

Vivid

| រស់រវើក

Producing a strong, clear picture in your mind.

Sensory

| ញ្ញាណ

Relating to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).

Atmosphere

| បរិយាកាស

The feeling or mood of a place.

Show, Don't Tell!

Good writing makes the reader feel like they are *in* the story. Don't just "tell" the reader; "show" them by painting a picture with your words.

BORING 😴 (Telling)

"I went to a restaurant. The food was good. The place was nice."

VIVID! ✨ (Showing)

"I went to a cozy restaurant. The curry was spicy and aromatic. The relaxing music made the atmosphere perfect."

Painting with Words: The 5 Senses

To make your writing vivid, use adjectives that describe the 5 senses. Ask yourself:

👁️ Sight (See)

What did it look like?

• colorful, bright, dark, foggy, vibrant, dimly-lit, sparkling

👂 Sound (Hear)

What did it sound like?

• noisy, quiet, peaceful, loud, bustling, melodious, silent

👃 Smell (Smell)

What did it smell like?

• aromatic, fresh, smoky, spicy, sweet, fragrant

👅 Taste (Taste)

What did it taste like?

• delicious, spicy, sweet, sour, bitter, tasty, flavorful

🖐️ Touch/Feel (Atmosphere)

What did it feel like?

• hot, cold, humid, crowded, cozy, relaxing, chaotic

Level Up: Stop Using "Very"!

A B1 writer stops using very + adjective and starts using one, stronger adjective. This makes your writing more powerful.

Instead of: "The building was very big."
Write: "The building was enormous."

Instead of: "I was very tired."
Write: "I was exhausted."

Instead of: "The food was very good."
Write: "The food was delicious."

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: "Level Up" the Sentence

Read the "weak" sentence, then choose the *most vivid* replacement. Click "Check Answers" when done.

1. Weak Sentence:

"The room was big."

Which replacement is most vivid?

• A) The room was very big.
• B) The room was enormous, with high ceilings and sparkling chandeliers.
• C) The room was big and nice.

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2. Weak Sentence:

"The market was loud."

Which replacement is most vivid?

• A) The market was very loud.
• B) The market was bustling with the shouts of vendors and the roar of motorbikes.
• C) The market was not quiet.

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3. Weak Sentence:

"The beach was nice."

Which replacement is most vivid?

• A) The beach was very nice and good.
• B) The beach was okay.
• C) The beach was peaceful, with soft, white sand and clear, turquoise water.

Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)

• Vivid | រស់រវើក
  Producing a strong, clear picture in your mind.
• Sensory | ញ្ញាណ
  Relating to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
• Atmosphere | បរិយាកាស
  The feeling or mood of a place.
• Enormous | ធំសម្បើម
  Very big.
• Exhausted | ហត់នឿយ
  Very tired.
• Aromatic | មានក្លិនក្រអូប
  Having a strong, pleasant smell.
• Bustling | អ៊ូអរ
  Full of busy activity; very crowded and noisy.

Your Writing Mission ⭐

Describe Your Favorite Place

Think about your favorite place in Cambodia. It could be a café, a park, a temple, or your own home. Write one paragraph (about 4-5 sentences) to describe it.

Your goal: Do NOT use the words good, bad, nice, or very. Instead, use the 5 senses!

Example: "My favorite place is my grandmother's kitchen in the morning. It's always warm and cozy. I can hear the sizzling sound of fish frying and smell the aromatic smoke from the wood stove. The bright morning sun shines through the small window."