Selecting an appropriate sequence

Look at the following summary sentences that relate to sections of a narrative. The title for the narrative is: ‘Lost at Night’.

Consider what you feel would be the most appropriate sequence. You should work with a partner to discuss choices. Drag the sentences into the order of your choice.

You may disagree with some of the choices given in the ‘correct’ answer. You should be able to argue a case for why your choice is better.

  • An empty road at the edge of the countryside on a winter night. The last lights before the town are flickering in places and the darkness envelops the spaces in between.
  • The headlamps of a car appear in the distance and the snow flecks fill the beams. The car slows down, starts to slide and finally stops at the side of the road. An adult figure emerges from the driver’s door.
  • Music can be heard from the car with the sound of voices arguing. The driver opens the bonnet – there appears to be a problem with the engine.
  • The driver speaks to the people in the car and the arguments stop. The cold is intense and the engine will not start. Three others emerge and try to push-start the car but with no success.
  • They have succeeded only in pushing the car into the shadows between the flickering street-lights. The car has now almost become lost in the darkness and the continuing blizzard of snow that has worsened.
  • The wind starts to howl through the trees that are set back only a few metres from the road. The snow drifts are growing in size and the temperature drops still further.
  • The four inhabitants of the car try to summon a signal on their phones. They have no success. A mood of panic sets in as the cold starts to numb their bodies. They decide to return to the car to try to regain some warmth.
  • Over the next two hours the car is gradually buried in the snow. The lights in the car are only just visible until, one by one, they are extinguished. Everyone has fallen asleep in the penetrating cold.
  • The road is indistinguishable from the footpaths and grass that borders the trees. The shape of the car creates a slight indentation in the blanket of untouched snow that still continually drifts through the night.
  • The police receive one of many emergency calls throughout the night. A group of young people have not returned from a party. Their phones are not being answered. The police explain that it is impossible to search for them due to the extreme weather.
  • While clearing the snow after the thaw, a snow-plough driver calls the police. He has made a dreadful discovery.

An empty road at the edge of the countryside on a winter night. The last lights before the town are flickering in places and the darkness envelops the spaces in between.

The headlamps of a car appear in the distance and the snow flecks fill the beams. The car slows down, starts to slide and finally stops at the side of the road. An adult figure emerges from the driver’s door.

Music can be heard from the car with the sound of voices arguing. The driver opens the bonnet – there appears to be a problem with the engine.

The driver speaks to the people in the car and the arguments stop. The cold is intense and the engine will not start. Three others emerge and try to push-start the car but with no success.

They have succeeded only in pushing the car into the shadows between the flickering street-lights. The car has now almost become lost in the darkness and the continuing blizzard of snow that has worsened.

The wind starts to howl through the trees that are set back only a few metres from the road. The snow drifts are growing in size and the temperature drops still further.

The four inhabitants of the car try to summon a signal on their phones. They have no success. A mood of panic sets in as the cold starts to numb their bodies. They decide to return to the car to try to regain some warmth.

Over the next two hours the car is gradually buried in the snow. The lights in the car are only just visible until, one by one, they are extinguished. Everyone has fallen asleep in the penetrating cold.

The road is indistinguishable from the footpaths and grass that borders the trees. The shape of the car creates a slight indentation in the blanket of untouched snow that still continually drifts through the night.

The police receive one of many emergency calls throughout the night. A group of young people have not returned from a party. Their phones are not being answered. The police explain that it is impossible to search for them due to the extreme weather.

While clearing the snow after the thaw, a snow-plough driver calls the police. He has made a dreadful discovery.

Create a brief plan for this narrative in six steps.

Example Plan

  1. Set the scene of the deserted road during a blizzard at night.
  2. Describe the car breaking down. Arguments break out.
  3. Explain that the weather gets worse and worse.
  4. The four people in the car cannot get help.
  5. The snow gradually buries the car and the cold makes them fall asleep.
  6. Their bodies are found by a snow-plough driver.