ACT (Enhanced)EnglishMedium
A student is writing a descriptive essay about a bustling city market. They want to use vivid language to engage the reader's senses. They have written the following sentence: 'The market was busy and there were many different smells.' Which of the following revisions best uses sensory details to enhance the description?
- AA lively market, it had many smells.
- BThe bustling market assaulted the senses, as the pungent aroma of exotic spices mingled with the sweet scent of ripe mangoes and the earthy musk of freshly tilled soil.
- CThe market was full of people and had strong smells.
- DThe market was quite active, with various odors in the air.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The bustling market assaulted the senses, as the pungent aroma of exotic spices mingled with the sweet scent of ripe mangoes and the earthy musk of freshly tilled soil.
Option C uses a variety of specific sensory details—'pungent aroma,' 'exotic spices,' 'sweet scent of ripe mangoes,' 'earthy musk of freshly tilled soil'—to evoke the sense of smell vividly and immerse the reader in the market's atmosphere.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This revision is concise but also lacks the specific sensory details needed for vivid description.
- C. This revision is general and uses weak adjectives ('full,' 'strong') that do not create a vivid sensory experience.
- D. This revision is slightly more formal but still vague and lacks specific sensory details.
Sensory Details
Sensory details are descriptive words and phrases that appeal to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.
- Engage the reader's imagination.
- Make descriptions more concrete and specific.
- Can evoke emotions and atmosphere.
Memory trick: Describe a scene as if you're painting with words and senses.