1. The first sentence uses descriptive language to create a vivid image of the autumn season. The words "falling gently" evoke a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, while the phrase "to the ground" emphasizes the inevitability of nature's changing seasons. This sentence appeals to the reader's senses and emotions by conjuring up a mental picture of colorful leaves drifting lazily from trees.
2. The second sentence uses more formal language and places an emphasis on the autumn leaves themselves rather than the season as a whole. By using the phrase "the leaves of fall," the author seeks to create a poetic and elevated tone. In addition, the use of the word "descending" instead of "falling" gives the sentence a slightly different feel - it implies a deliberate motion rather than a natural one. Finally, the phrase "to the earth" reinforces the idea that the leaves are returning to their origins, completing the cycle of life and death in nature. Overall, this sentence is more focused on the beauty and symbolism of autumn leaves than on the experience of being in the season itself.