T:  The pizza tasted good.

S:  As I stared at the pizza set on the table, the colorful combination of cheese, meat, and spices suggested a pleasurable taste ahead.  The aroma of the hot, bubbling mass made my mouth begin to water.  As I took a bite of the crispy pizza, I savored the taste a brief moment.  My tongue curled around the mellow, warm cheese; my taste buds thoroughly relished the tangy Italian sauce, and as a result, made my saliva glands work faster.  When I bit into the reddish-brown pepperoni, I was amazed at the spiciness.  All these different sensations combined into one pleasurable experience.

Sample Student SDT

SDT #5

T:  My mother was worried.

S:  “Where are they?” moaned my mother through her tensely clenched teeth.  She stared out the den window at den window at our empty driveway, her eyes flitting about capriciously. 

     “Dad and Alex should have been home an hour ago,” whined my mother in a nasal voice as she slumped against the wall like a limp rag doll.

     “Relax, ma.  They’re only an hour later than they thought they’d be.  Maybe the traffic on Babcock is really bad now,” I tentatively suggested.

     “Or maybe there’s been an accident,” my mother drew in a great ragged gasp or air.  She sounded like a bellows with a hole in it.

     She’s really upset I thought.  As I gazed at her, it became even more obvious.  Her pallid skin was coated with a patina of cold sweat.  In fact, my mom’s very body seemed to be exuding the rank, mephitic odor of fear.  Indeed, the terrible stench invaded and tainted the surrounding air like a fearsome army marching into undefended territory.

     “Don’t worry, mom,” I spoke, gently touching her clammy form. “It’s going to be fine.”  As I left the room, I glanced back to see my mom continuing her forlorn vigil, looking out the window. 

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