*This is a sample descriptive essay response to a Cambridge AS & A Level English Language 9093 question below:

Write a descriptive piece called The Harbour. In your writing, create a sense of atmosphere, and
focus on colour and sound to help your reader imagine the scene.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over Harbor Bay. Standing at the water’s edge, I felt the gentle breeze ruffling my hair, carrying the tang of salt and adventure. Beside me were my friends, Sarah and Michael, their laughter mingling with the rhythmic lapping of waves against the docks. We had come here to witness the bustling life of the harbor, to soak in its stories and secrets.

As we strolled along the water’s edge, the harbor’s vibrant energy enveloped us. The air was filled with a medley of scents — the salty breeze, the faint whiff of fish from the market, and the hearty aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby cafe. The sounds of seagulls squawking overhead and the distant hum of engines were the harbor’s symphony.

Harbor workers bustled about, their fluorescent vests creating bright splashes of color against the muted tones of the ship hulls and crates. A group of dockworkers, clad in sturdy boots and weathered jackets, expertly maneuvered a crane to unload crates from a cargo ship named “Maritime Fortune.” The ship’s massive hull was a canvas of faded blues and grays, marked by years of seafaring tales.

Our attention turned to a trio of sailboats anchored nearby. “The Azure Wind,” with its azure-hued sails, looked like a creature born of the sea. Its neighbor, “Golden Serenity,” boasted sails the color of the setting sun, a striking contrast against the cerulean waters. And then there was “Crimson Tide,” its red sails a tribute to the hues of twilight.

As we walked farther along the harbor, we encountered a group of sailors, their weathered faces telling stories of countless voyages. Clusters of tourists in casual summer attire gathered around a fish market, their excitement palpable as they pointed at the day’s catch — an array of silvery fish gleaming like treasures just hauled from the deep. Nearby, a street musician strummed a guitar, his melodic tunes harmonizing with the rhythm of the harbor.

The harbor’s heartbeat thrived in its equipment — towering cranes that reached for the sky, their metal arms a stark contrast to the water’s gentle embrace. Cargo containers, like colorful building blocks, stood in neat rows, each a vessel for goods and stories from distant shores. Tugs bobbed alongside colossal cargo ships, like loyal companions ready to guide them through the labyrinth of the harbor’s waters.

We settled onto a weathered bench, our gazes fixed on the horizon where the sun began its descent. The sky transformed into a masterpiece of hues — the deep oranges and fiery reds reminiscent of embers from a long-spent fire. The ships and boats, now mere silhouettes against the vibrant backdrop, seemed like characters in a storybook about to turn its final page.

The harbor workers’ activity persisted, their tasks illuminated by the glow of the setting sun. Forklifts hummed as they scuttled across the docks, their beeping a constant reminder of the labor that sustained the harbor’s rhythm. A pair of workers clambered onto a fishing boat named “Sea Maiden,” securing nets and organizing equipment, their movements a ballet of experience and purpose.

As the sky deepened into twilight, the harbor transformed. The seagulls, like silver specters, continued their graceful dance in the fading light. The lamplights along the docks flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the scene. The air was now tinged with the aromas of dinner being prepared in nearby restaurants — rich seafood stews, buttery lobster, and hearty clam chowder.

We remained on the bench, our words subdued as we took in the quiet magic of the harbor at dusk. The ships were now resting vessels, their sails folded like wings in slumber. The water, once a tapestry of vibrant shades, was now a deep expanse of obsidian, mirroring the starlit sky above.

Harbor Bay had painted its portrait upon us — a canvas of scents, sights, and sounds that whispered tales of far-off lands and timeless journeys. As we turned to leave, I couldn’t help but feel that the harbor held a piece of my heart within its depths, a memory that would forever be tied to its colors and stories.

Click here to view the full Cambridge AS & A English Language Paper 2 9093

Check out other Cambridge English Language 9093 sample answers:

Write a descriptive piece called On the Dancefloor. In your writing, focus on movement, sound and
colour to help your reader imagine the scene.

Write a descriptive piece about a busy office. In your writing, focus on the sound, light and movement
inside the office to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900 words.

You recently did a one-day cookery course for complete beginners. Write a review of the course,
which will be published on a food website. Write between 600 and 900 words.