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Rubric

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1) Personal Response
2) Clarity of Expression
3) Interaction with Examiners

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1. elaborate on your responses using 5W1H questions.

2. include a range of varied and appropriate vocabulary.

3. provide grammatically sound and complete sentence structures.

Prompt (a)
How do you feel about the elderly taking part in the activity in the picture? (Discursive)

Prompt (b)
What kind of activities would appeal to the elderly in your community? (Personal Response)

Prompt (c)
Some people say, “Life is what you make it to be and should not depend on your age.” Do you agree? (Persuasive)

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(a) Would you like to own a pet like the one in the picture? Why or why not?
(b) Would you like to work as a vet? Why or why not?
(c) How far would you agree that we all have a responsibility for the animals of the world, especially those that are endangered?

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(a) Would you enjoy taking part in this activity? Why, or why not?
(b) What kinds of problems might occur on family days out?
(c) Some people say, 'Because life today is so hectic, it is important for all families to spend some quality time together.' How far would you agree with this view?

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(a) Would you enjoy attending a school reunion like the one in the picture? Why or why not?
(b) How do you think students can be helped to make a smooth transition from school to higher education or work?
(c) When choosing a career, what are the important points that need to be considered?

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(a) Would you like to learn skills like the one shown in the picture? Why or why not?
(b) Tell me what happened at a time when you needed to be self-reliant.
(c) 'Having confidence in yourself is one of the main keys to achieving any kind of success.' How far would you agree?

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Spoken Interaction Reponses (Mid-Air Suspension)

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Spoken Interaction Practice (Orchard Road Closure)1

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CNA Insider videos and stories - features on people, investigative journalism and a deeper look at Singapore and Asian issues.

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By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.

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Latest news in Singapore and around the world - TODAY

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The latest and trending news from Singapore, Asia and around the world; The Big Read, Commentaries and more.

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Quick sounds bites with tips on how to improve your English.

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Say It Right! contains a list of commonly mispronounced words with correct audio pronunciations and definitions in a Singaporean voice. Learn how to pronounce words like liaise, siphon, esplanade, almond, library.

Word pronunciation: ahyl
Definition: The passage between rows of seats in a church, theatre or aeroplane

Example: That passenger rudely pushed his way down the aisle.

Word pronunciation: al-fuh-bet, -bit
Definition: A set of letters arranged in a fixed order and used when writing a language

Example: Children are taught the alphabet in school.

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Say It Right! contains a list of commonly mispronounced words with correct audio pronunciations and definitions in a Singaporean voice. Learn how to pronounce words like liaise, siphon, esplanade, almond, library. Word pronunciation: ahyl Definition: The passage between rows of seats in a church, theatre or aeroplane Example: That passenger rudely pushed his way down the aisle.

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Building a cohesive society

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(Updated: )

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SINGAPORE: Racism exists in Singapore, but the situation is "much better than before" and improving over the years, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said on Sunday (Aug 4), in the wake of a controversial video by YouTuber Preetipls and her brother Subhas Nair that touched on the issue.

"You look at the regular discussions on race, issues - this is a basic fact. But the situation now is much better than before, improving over the years," he said on the sidelines of a temple event in Woodlands.

"We want to build a cohesive society, but racism corrodes and deepens the fault lines in society," he said, adding that Singapore does "a lot" to counter it.

In Singapore, racism is discussed "openly", studied and reported in the media, he said, pointing to surveys done by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) as examples.

He referred to the latest IPS survey released last week, that showed a slight increase in perception of workplace racial discrimination, despite improvement in some other areas of race relationships.

Racism is a key concern for his and other ministries, the Minister said.
"LANGUAGE OF RESISTANCE"
Mr Shanmugam's comments on Sunday came the day after Preetipls, whose name is Preeti Nair, and her brother Subhas apologised "unconditionally" over a video they created and starred in to call out a NETS E-Pay advertisement for being discriminatory.

The Nair siblings have been in the spotlight over the video, which featured vulgar language and questioned the use of "brownface" in the ad featuring Chinese actor Dennis Chew portraying minority races in Singapore.

Mr Shanmugam acknowledged that the siblings, like everyone, had the right to raise the issue of racism but said the way they did it was not right.

"If everyone starts discussing race and religion in the way they did, you will in fact get more racism, not less. That is our key concern," he said.

They used the "language of resistance" in the United States, Mr Shanmugam said, but Singapore is in a "very different" situation, he added.

The siblings had given an earlier apology spoofing one issued by Havas Worldwide for the e-payment ad, which MHA had earlier called "a mock, insincere apology".

In any multi-racial society there is always a need to "frankly" discuss issues like casual racism and how to deal with and increase awareness, he said.

He said this is done through regular conferences, symposiums and dialogues on these issues, some by Government agencies, some by Non-Governmental Organisations and others.

"There are areas where the Government can do things, there are aspects where people have to become more aware and more sensitive," he said.

Nevertheless, much progress has made since Singapore became independent, and founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said "we are not a Malay nation, we are not a Chinese nation, we are not an Indian nation. This is a country for all Singaporeans", Mr Shanmugam said.

He also said Singapore has progressed by having clear Government policies, and Singaporeans generally accept multi-racial values, adding that "we must see how we can progress further".

"As many of us recognise, there continue to be racial fault lines and religious fault lines. It is always work in progress," he said.

The Minister also said the E-Pay advertisement was in "poor taste".

"Many disapprove of it and the people behind the ad, and others need to learn from that - be much more sensitive," he said.

There is "much" Singaporeans can be positive about as National Day approaches he said, pointing to headlines on unrest, conflicts and shootings in places like Hong Kong, Texas and Kashmir that he said he came across on Sunday morning.

"But we in Singapore can be thankful that we have avoided headlines like these. And we must continue to focus on getting things better, discuss issues openly and work on them," he added.

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Preetipls video: Shanmugam acknowledges racism exists in Singapore, but says situation is improving

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(Updated: ) Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via E-Mail SINGAPORE: Racism exists in Singapore, but the situation is "much better than before" and improving over the years, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said on Sunday (Aug 4), in the wake of a controversial video by YouTuber Preetipls and her brother Subhas Nair that touched on the issue.

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holistic approach

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At Health Promotion Board, we promote a holistic approach to leading a healthy lifestyle. This includes staying physically active while maintaining a balanced diet, and going for regular screening. Take a look around this section for a better understanding of the various types of work that we do!

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At Health Promotion Board, we promote a holistic approach to leading a healthy lifestyle. This includes staying physically active while maintaining a balanced diet, and going for regular screening. Take a look around this section for a better understanding of the various types of work that we do!

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Becoming a smart nation

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TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal

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Image adapted from: Today Up
We've seen sci-fi movies about machines and androids enslaving humanity, and they seem like a unlikely possibility. But without us realising it, Singapore has been making some technological advancements of its own, with robots starting to be integrated into the workforce, and...

Whoa, put down that pitchfork buddy. We're not talking Terminator or Black Mirror here - Singapore's new upgrades are actually a good thing. From smart HDBs to cashless hawker centres, here are 7 ways Singapore is using tech to become a smart nation.

1. Pay via QR codes at the coffee shop

We already have handy ATM cards for paying at fancy restaurants or retail shops. But what if you're queuing for your favourite bak chor mee at the coffee shop when you realise you're all out of notes?
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Instead of running to the nearest ATM or resorting to applying for an emergency bank loan from strangers in the queue, you can now opt to pay with your phone. That's right - hawker centres have started to implement QR code systems which works with various mobile banking apps.

There are already hundreds of stalls on board, and companies like NETS are planning to expand the system to more than 120 hawker centres by the end of the year, so your cash woes will soon be a problem of the past.

2. Cars can now drive by themselves

You hop into the car, all ready to set off on your next adventure in sunny Singapore. But wait... where did the driver go?
Image credit: Tech in Asia
Nope, he's not on an extended toilet break - your car is your driver. These vehicles have been given a dose of self-driving technology, which allows them to move around on their own like a real driver would.

Driverless cars might sound scary, but the technology has already been tested intensively for years. It's even been used to ferry dignitaries like our very own Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, so you can be sure that these car know what they're doing!
An autonomous bus undergoing trials at a self-driving test facility in Singapore
Image credit: Kyodo News
Organisations like the Land Transport Authority and Nanyang Technological University have already done plenty of testing in closed circuits, and even on public roads. There are plans to release a fleet of self-driving vehicles that you can book through your smartphones, and autonomous buses will be released in estates like Punggol, Jurong and Tengah by 2022.

3. Watches that double up as fitness bands and EZ-Link cards

We've seen these nifty fitness bands in action before - they can keep track of your various bodily functions, and the time too. Well, now they can be used to save you time on your next bus or MRT trip.

EZ-Link has recently collaborated with two tech companies to launch two fitness bands that comes embedded with EZ-Link chips. The band can be topped up like any other EZ-Link card, and since it's on your wrist, you won't have to fumble for your wallet when tapping in or out of a ride.

Plus, with the EZ-Link payment system being accepted at over 30,000 retail stores across Singapore, the band will also double up as a handy wallet.
Image credit: Memoirs of a Singapore Policeman
4. Our police are using drones to catch bad guys

Technology is taking law enforcements to new heights - a height of 60m, to be exact.

That's the flight limit for the Singapore Police Force's new surveillance drones, which comes equipped with sirens, an audio warning system with a 100m range, and a searchlight that's ten times more powerful than a car headlight.

This gives the police more mobility, allowing them to follow targets through obstructions or conduct aerial searches.

Closer to the ground, the police have recently begun deploying patrol bots at public events. These autonomous fellows are able to navigate pre-planned paths on their own, allowing an officer to tap into its image feed anytime for remote surveillance.

5. Intelligent HDB home systems

I'm a huge fan of Ironman, and it's always been my dream to have my own high tech weapons suit and hyper-intelligent AI sidekick. Sadly, the closest I've ever come is programming my Siri to call me "Sir".

But with Singapore testing new smart home initiatives, we might all be a step closer to having our very own Jarvis. During the testing phase in Yuhua estate, the new home systems were able to utilise sensors to monitor the movement of elderly family members within the home, and notified users if the elders were in distress.

The systems also tracked the usage of various household appliances, sent mobile notifications when appliances were left on with nobody at home, and even let users turn appliances on or off remotely.
Image credit: HardWareZone
Pretty soon, we won't have to get off our comfy seats to turn off the lights or draw the curtains. Now we just need some high-tech home gadgets and a well-sculpted mustache, and we'll all be Tony Starks in no time.

6. Lamp posts that gather data

With all of these technological renovations, even our good ol' lamp posts are getting an upgrade. Singapore is planning to equip our vast network of street lights with sensors and analytics systems, and will be launching prototypes in Geylang and one-north next year.
Image credit: Panasonic
The new tech will allow these smart lamp posts to gather data like weather conditions, vehicle traffic and unusual sounds like car crashes or screams in isolated areas. They could even be used to guide the self-driving vehicles we mentioned earlier.

7. Robots are being integrated into society

Singapore has been introducing some robotic staff into the workforce for a while - you might have bumped into tray return robots at hawker centres or androids that deliver hotel amenities. For now, their duties seem to be limited to the fetching and returning of service items.

But that could be set to change. A "RoboCoach" was recently developed by students and staff from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, to provide physical training for the elderly, and it can do a pretty good job of imitating human movements.

In other industries like medicine, robots are also being used to dispense medication, and since they move faster, this could really bring down the waiting times at pharmacies.

Engineer Singapore's future with MDIS

With these smart nation upgrades already being tested or even implemented, it won't be long before we Singaporeans get to start living in the future.

Of course, all of these advancements wouldn't be possible without the help of our nation's engineers. If you want to be a part of this team, you'll need an Engineering degree - and you can earn one at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS).
This post was brought to you by the Management Development Institute of Singapore.
With how fast technology is progressing, MDIS School of Engineering is all about being relevant and staying at the top of the engineering game. Aside from their updated curriculum and state-of-the-art engineering laboratories and equipment - that are OHSAS certified - MDIS also brings you on industry visits and workshops so you'll always be up to date with the latest information.

MDIS has also recently partnered with Teesside University, UK; an institution awarded Silver in the new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), 2017 - a Government scheme that recognises excellent teaching in UK universities. Thanks to this partnership, you can totally receive a recognised degree from the UK while studying in Singapore.

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7 High Tech Ways Singapore Is Becoming A Smart Nation Without Us Realising It

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Technology upgrades in Singapore Image adapted from: Today Up We've seen sci-fi movies about machines and androids enslaving humanity, and they seem like a unlikely possibility. But without us realising it, Singapore has been making some technological advancements of its own, with robots starting to be integrated into the workforce, and...

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Some burning questions

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SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Education announced on Thursday (July 25) more details on the upcoming PSLE scoring changes that take effect in 2021, and will affect this year's Primary 4 pupils. This adds to what was previously announced in 2016.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

1. What exactly are the new changes announced on Thursday?

There are four main components to the new announcement.

First, starting from next year and in all subsequent years, pupils entering Primary 5 will be graded on Achievement Levels 1 to 8 instead of the current grades A* to E.

Doing this from Primary 5 will allow pupils and parents to become more familiar with the new scoring system for the PSLE, said MOE.

Second, MOE said it will release the cut-off entry scores for each school using ALs, instead of the current T-score, in the middle of 2021.

Usually the entry scores are derived from the previous year's posting exercise and given to students between October and November.

Third, those who take Foundation-level subjects will know how their scores are graded in the new system. They will receive grades of AL A to C, which are tagged to AL6 to AL8 scores for Standard-level subjects.

Lastly, MOE has announced the eligibility criteria for Higher Mother Tongue. Pupils will need an overall PSLE score of 8 or better to take it up in secondary school.

They can also take up Higher Mother Tongue if they have an overall PSLE score of 9 to 14 and attain AL1 or AL2 in their mother tongue or distinction or merit in their higher mother tongue at the PSLE.

For pupils who do not meet the above criteria, secondary schools will have the flexibility to offer Higher Mother Tongue to students assessed to have high ability and interest in mother tongue languages. This is similar to the existing practice.

PHOTO: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION/FACEBOOK

2. What was announced in 2016?

The biggest announcement then was that each Standard-level PSLE subject will be scored using eight bands known as Achievement Levels (AL), with AL1 returning the best score of 1 and AL8 the worst score of 8.

The total PSLE score will be a sum of the scores for the four subjects, and the range of possible scores will be 4 to 32, with 4 being the best and 32 the lowest.

The new ALs reflect each child's level of achievement, rather than how he has performed relative to his peers.

3. The new AL system groups pupils with 75 marks and above into 4 AL bands (AL1 to AL4), instead of the current A* and A grades. Doesn't this contradict MOE's aim of reducing fine differentiation?

There is a need to balance having too many ALs with too few, said MOE. If there are too few ALs, there will be more pupils with the same PSLE score, which will lead to more balloting for Secondary 1 school postings.

The raw mark ranges for the eight ALs offer a good balance, added MOE.

The upper range is narrower to better differentiate pupils' level of understanding, as a large majority are able to show an understanding of the curriculum and do well in it.

At the middle to lower ALs, wider ranges are sufficient to indicate a pupil's progress, and further differentiation is less educationally meaningful, said MOE.

4. If my child takes Foundation subjects, will he still be able to qualify for the Express stream?

If your child takes at least one Standard subject out of the four, he will still have a chance to qualify for the Express stream, as long as he meets the score criteria.

Additionally, when he enters secondary school, he will be able to take different subjects at different levels, as long as he can manage his academic load.

Pupils should decide to take a subject at Standard or Foundation level depending on their aptitude for and ability in that subject, rather than whether it will help get them into their desired stream, said MOE.

5. Why are the Foundation subject ALs pegged so low when using the Standard subject ALs?

The Foundation subject grades A to C are pegged to AL6 to AL8.

This pegging reflects the fact that the curriculum of a Foundation-level subject is a subset of the Standard-level subject.

The assessment load at Foundation level is less demanding, said MOE.

Foundation subjects cater to the learning needs of students so that they can pursue learning at a pace and level that is more suited to them.

6. If my child takes Higher Chinese, will he have an advantage for the Secondary 1 school posting?

Yes, but only if your child is applying to a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school.

If two pupils have the same PSLE score, the one with better Higher Chinese grades will be allocated a place ahead of the other pupil.

This posting advantage applies before the other tie-breakers for Secondary 1 posting.

There will be no bonus points under the AL system like there used to be with the T-score system.

7. Why is it important that I rank the schools I want by order of preference?

Choice order of schools will be important in the event of a tie. The tie-breakers, barring Higher Chinese grades, are, in order of importance: citizenship, choice order of schools, and computerised balloting.

Previously, choice order of schools did not matter as an unrounded T-score aggregate - down to decimal places - was used to determine which child would get in ahead of the other.

This tie-breaker recognises the different considerations that pupils and parents have in making school choices, such as a school's ethos, culture, programmes and co-curricular activities offered.

8. If I'm still confused about all these changes, what should I do?

In the next few months, schools will be engaging parents and pupils who will undergo the new PSLE scoring system to guide them in making informed decisions, particularly in their subject choices at the end of Primary 4.

More details on the PSLE scoring changes and Secondary 1 posting system are also available on MOE's' website.
Do you have questions on the new PSLE scoring system? E-mail senior education correspondent Sandra Davie at sandra@sph.com.sg Get stories like this and more on our Telegram channel, click here to sign-up.

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PSLE scoring system changes: 8 burning questions answered

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SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Education announced on Thursday (July 25) more details on the upcoming PSLE scoring changes that take effect in 2021, and will affect this year's Primary 4 pupils. This adds to what was previously announced in 2016. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

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Environmental awareness

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Restaurants and malls among 1,600 premises to cut use of disposables in new NEA campaign

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SINGAPORE: More than 1,600 premises, including restaurants, malls, hotels, supermarkets and schools, will take steps to encourage consumers to reduce the use of disposables such as plastic bags and takeaway containers. They come under 59 companies and organisations that have joined the National Environment Agency's (NEA) latest campaign launched on Saturday (Jun 8), to get people to cut down on waste and choose more sustainable alternatives.

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Rotate to read :)

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IN - Oral Communication (18 July 2016- Oral Communications)

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Singapore is a modern metropolis, yet deeply rooted in its multicultural heritage. Here, we are home to colonial-era buildings that sit next to skyscrapers. Our conversations are a medley of English and local dialects. Experience our rich tapestry of cultures that have been woven together, adapted and passed down through generations.

Our national language is Malay, not English

Listen carefully to our national anthem Majulah Singapura (Malay for Onward Singapore) and you'll notice the lyrics are written in Malay, our national language. Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and we have four official languages-Malay, English, Mandarin, and Tamil-that often overlap in conversations.

English is our primary spoken language. You can learn about the origins of Singapore's multicultural history through immersive exhibitions at the National Museum of Singapore.

Singapore's religious acceptance is best displayed on Waterloo Street

At Waterloo Street, you'll find a temple, church, mosque and synagogue co-existing peacefully, a testament to Singapore's racial and religious understanding.

The major religions practised in Singapore are Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. Join the Unity in Diversity tour to find out why Singapore is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, and explore how the different faith communities have found a common ground.

Look out for the distinct architecture that represents each place of worship here, like the gopuram (grand tower entrance) that towers over South Indian temples, and the domes and minarets adorning our mosques.

Singapore movies have made it to Cannes Film Festival

No stranger to the red carpet, Singaporean movies are appreciated around the world. The first Singaporean film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival was 12 Storeys by director Eric Khoo in 1997, and in 2016, director Boo Junfeng's Apprentice received a standing ovation. You can catch more local films at The Projector, a retro independent cinema that screens a selection of indie films.

We have our own mythological icon, called the Merlion

The Merlion is a half-fish, half-lion icon of Singapore. Legend has it that the "singa" or lion represents the animal that a Sumatran prince saw on the island, and the fish is a tribute to Singapore's history as "Temasek", the ancient sea town. Get acquainted with our national icon around the city-there are five official Merlion statues in Singapore, two of which reside at the Merlion Park.

Take home memories of Singapore with a Merlion plushie you can buy at Naiise, a homegrown lifestyle store selling quirky Singapore souvenirs.

Singlish or Singapore English made it to the Oxford English Dictionary

Spend some time in the city and you're bound to hear someone adding lah to the end of their sentence.

Did you know that two Singlish words- lah and sinseh-are in the online version of the Oxford English Dictionary? Pick up souvenirs with uniquely local and Singlish prints at Naiise.

We are home to many art festivals every year

Experience a sensory extravaganza at Singaporean art festivals throughout the year. They run the gamut from Singapore Writers Festival, Singapore International Film Festival, Singapore Art Week and more festivals where like-minded culture vultures mingle and explore their passions through performances, workshops and panel discussions.

Singapore has a bustling theatre scene

From huge musical hits to experimental performances, Singapore is home to high-quality productions. Watch internationally acclaimed musicals like The Lion King and The Sound of Music at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands®; or catch the local dance production, da:ns festival at the iconic Esplanade - Theatres by the Bay. These productions will suspend reality and expand your imagination.

Our skyscrapers are shaped by feng shui

Some of the greatest buildings and structures in Singapore were constructed with feng shui (geomancy) in mind-a Chinese system of placement for positive energy. For instance, the location of Marina Bay Sands® poises it as a hub for wealth. Other notable buildings shaped by feng shui concepts include the Singapore Flyer, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Tang Plaza and Wheelock Place. Explore these buildings and find out how their structures are influenced by geomancy on a feng shui tour.

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Singapore is a modern metropolis, yet deeply rooted in its multicultural heritage. Here, we are home to colonial-era buildings that sit next to skyscrapers. Our conversations are a medley of English and local dialects. Experience our rich tapestry of cultures that have been woven together, adapted and passed down through generations.