Question

We were back out on the trail in the morning. The wind had picked up again, providing a
welcome relief from the heat of exertion and a guard against the buzzing flies. We walked
along in twos up another Porcupine mountain, gaining height with each step, and pausing at
the occasional overlook. There is nothing quite like cresting a ridge and seeing through the
trees an endless expanse of water, too calm to be the sea, too tumultuous to be mistaken for
any typical lake. The sun sparkled off the waves, and the rocks along the beach seemed to
glow. It took my breath away.
6. Briefly explain which characteristics of travel journalism are illustrated by the
passage. Identify at least two characteristics, and provide examples from the
passage as evidence.

Answer 1

1) Vivid sensory description/evocative imagery — travel pieces aim to make a reader feel present in the place. Examples: “the wind had picked up… a welcome relief from the heat… and a guard against the buzzing flies,” “The sun sparkled off the waves,” and “the rocks along the beach seemed to glow.” Those sensory details (touch, sound, sight) create atmosphere and entice the reader.

2) First‑person, experiential perspective/authentic voice — travel journalism often reports the writer’s own journey to lend authority and immediacy. Examples: “We were back out on the trail,” “We walked… pausing at the occasional overlook,” and the personal reaction “It took my breath away” show the writer as participant-observer.

(If a third characteristic is wanted: place-focused scene-setting and specific detail — “cresting a ridge and seeing through the trees an endless expanse of water, too calm to be the sea, too tumultuous to be mistaken for any typical lake” — orients the reader and highlights the landscape’s uniqueness.)