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Capturing Nature’s Beauty

Read Text C, and then answer Questions 2(a)–(d) and Question 3 on the question paper.
Capturing Nature’s Beauty
1
As I stood on the edge of the lush green hill, the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over the landscape. I had always been fascinated by nature, but it was only recently that I had picked up a camera to capture its beauty. Today was my first attempt at nature photography, and I was both excited and nervous.
2
“You ready, Sam?” my friend Mia called out, her voice breaking through my thoughts. She was already setting up her camera, her enthusiasm infectious.
3
“Almost! Just waiting for the perfect light,” I replied, adjusting my lens. The vibrant colours of the flowers below were begging to be photographed, but I wanted to ensure I captured them at their best.
4
Mia chuckled, “You know, the best light is just before sunrise. You might miss it!”
5
With that, I quickly focused my camera, snapping a few shots of the dew-kissed petals. Each click of the shutter felt like a small victory. I was learning to see the world through a different lens—literally and metaphorically.
6
As the sun climbed higher, the landscape transformed. The mist that had enveloped the valley began to lift, revealing a patchwork of greens and browns. “Look at that!” Mia exclaimed, pointing towards a distant mountain range. “We have to get a shot of that!”
7
We hurried down the hill, our excitement palpable. “Do you think we’ll get a good shot?” I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.
8
“With this view? Absolutely!” Mia reassured me. “Just remember to capture the feeling of the moment, not just the image.”
9
As we reached a clearing, I was struck by the breathtaking sight before us. The mountains loomed majestically, their peaks dusted with snow. I raised my camera, feeling a rush of inspiration. “This is incredible!” I whispered, almost to myself.
10
“It really is,” Mia agreed, her eyes wide with wonder. “Let’s take a few shots together.”
11
We spent the next hour snapping pictures, trying different angles and compositions. I felt a sense of freedom as I immersed myself in the experience, forgetting about everything else. The world around us was alive with colour and sound, and I was determined to capture it all.
12
Once we were satisfied with our shots, we sat on a nearby rock, our cameras resting beside us. “What do you think?” I asked, scrolling through the images I had taken.
13
“They’re amazing! You’ve really captured the essence of nature,” Mia said, nodding in approval. “You have a natural talent for this.”
14
Her words filled me with pride. I had discovered a new passion, one that allowed me to connect with the world around me in a meaningful way. Nature photography was not just about taking pictures; it was about experiencing and sharing the beauty of our planet.
15
As we packed up our gear, I couldn’t help but smile. Today had been more than just a day of photography; it had been a journey of self-discovery. I was excited to explore this new path and see where it would lead me.

Question 2(a)
Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words underlined.

(i) What word or phrase conveys the same meaning as vibrant colours? [1 mark]
(ii) What word or phrase conveys the same meaning as excited and nervous? [1 mark]
(iii) What word or phrase conveys the same meaning as breathtaking sight? [1 mark]
(iv) What word or phrase conveys the same meaning as journey of self-discovery? [1 mark]

Question 2(b)
Using your own words, explain what the writer means by the words underlined in the following sentences:

As the sun climbed higher, the landscape transformed. The mist that had enveloped the valley began to lift, revealing a patchwork of greens and browns. “Look at that!” Mia exclaimed, pointing towards a distant mountain range.

(i) What does the writer mean by the phrase the landscape transformed? [1 mark]
(ii) What is meant by the term enveloped the valley? [1 mark]
(iii) What does Mia mean when she says pointing towards a distant mountain range? [1 mark]

Question 2(c)
Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer conveys their excitement about nature photography. [3 Marks]

As the sun climbed higher, the landscape transformed. The mist that had enveloped the valley began to lift, revealing a patchwork of greens and browns. “Look at that!” Mia exclaimed, pointing towards a distant mountain range. “We have to get a shot of that!”

Question 2(d)
Explain how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create effect in the following paragraphs. Choose three examples of words or phrases from each paragraph to support your answer. Your choices should include the use of imagery. Write about 200 to 300 words. [15 Marks]

Paragraph 1: “As I stood on the edge of the lush green hill, the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over the landscape.”

Paragraph 6: “As we reached a clearing, I was struck by the breathtaking sight before us.”

Question 3
You are giving a speech to your classmates about your experience with nature photography. In your speech, you should:

  • Describe your feelings before starting the photography session.
  • Share what you learned about capturing nature’s beauty.
  • Reflect on how this experience has influenced your view of nature.

Write the words of the speech. Base your speech on what you have read in the text but be careful to use your own words. Address each of the three bullet points. Write about 250 to 300 words. (15 Marks)