PSLE#1 English Oral – Saving the Earth, One Bottle at a Time
PSLEhacker Episode #1 - PEEL Method
(A) Reading Aloud
Post Title: Date of News Article: 30 January 2026 Source: Adapted from The Straits Times (Environment Section)
Singapore is taking a significant step towards becoming a zero-waste nation with the upcoming launch of the Beverage Container Return Scheme on April 1, 2026. Under this new initiative, consumers will pay a small ten-cent deposit when purchasing bottled or canned drinks. However, this deposit can be fully refunded when the empty containers are returned at designated points across the island.
To make recycling a breeze, the government is installing over one thousand “reverse vending machines” at high-footfall areas, including large supermarkets and HDB void decks. By next year, this number is expected to double to two thousand machines, ensuring that every resident has a convenient way to recycle. Users can simply scan their EZ-Link cards at these machines to receive their ten-cent refund instantly.
Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, noted that while this new routine requires a bit of adjustment, every effort counts in protecting our environment. Currently, Singapore’s domestic recycling rate has hit a record low of eleven percent, making it more urgent than ever to “save Semakau”—our only remaining landfill, which is projected to be full by 2035.
By encouraging everyone to return their plastic bottles and aluminum cans, the scheme aims to recover over sixteen thousand tonnes of materials annually. This move is a pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which seeks to foster a culture of sustainability. If we all play our part, we can ensure that our city-state remains clean and green for future generations.
Word Count: 265 words
(B) Stimulus-Based Conversation (SBC)
Crack you brain time
Using the correct PEEL framework and incorporating expressive vocabulary from your guidebook!
Examiner’s Prompt: > “Look at the picture. Would you participate in this recycling activity with your family? Why or why not?”
Model Response using PEEL:
(Point) Yes, I would definitely participate in this recycling activity with my family.
(Explanation) I believe that recycling our plastic bottles at a Reverse Vending Machine is a fantastic way to do our part for the environment. It is highly convenient since these machines are often located right at our HDB void decks. Moreover, doing this together fosters a sense of accomplishment and strengthens family bonds.
(Example/Experience) For instance, during the weekends, my parents and I often gather our empty plastic bottles to deposit them into the recycling machine near our house. We are always filled with eager curiosity and wonder as we watch the machine scan and accept the items. My mother also uses her mobile app to collect the rewards, which makes the whole process a mutually rewarding experience. It is a memorable and fun-filled routine that allows us to spend quality time together while making an environmentally conscious choice.
(Link) Therefore, because it is both beneficial for the earth and a great way to bond, I would enthusiastically participate in this recycling activity with my family.
Question & Answer
Question 1: Visual Stimulus
“Look at the picture. Would you participate in this recycling activity with your family? Why or why not?”
Point: Yes, I would definitely participate in this recycling activity with my family.
Explanation: I believe that recycling our plastic bottles at a Reverse Vending Machine is a fantastic way to do our part for the environment. It is highly convenient, and doing this together fosters a sense of accomplishment and strengthens family bonds.
Example/Experience: For instance, during the weekends, my parents and I often gather our empty plastic bottles to deposit them into the recycling machine near our house. We are always filled with eager curiosity and wonder as we watch the machine accept the items. My mother uses her mobile app to collect the rewards, making it a mutually rewarding experience. It is a memorable and fun-filled routine that allows us to spend quality time together.
Link: Therefore, because it is both beneficial for the earth and a great way to bond, I would enthusiastically participate in this activity.
Question 2: Personal Experience
“Tell me about a time you or your family did something to protect the environment.”
Point: One memorable experience was when my family decided to start bringing our own reusable containers for takeaways.
Explanation: We realized we were generating too much plastic waste from packing our weekend dinners. To play our part, my parents bought a set of eco-friendly tingkat containers so we could stop using single-use plastics.
Example/Experience: At first, it felt a bit troublesome to carry them around. However, the first time we handed them to the hawker stall auntie, she gave us a warm smile and even a larger portion! I felt a deep sense of accomplishment, achievement, and pride for being committed to reducing plastic waste. It has now become a fun and meaningful activity for us every Sunday evening.
Link: So, that was a time my family took a small but significant step to protect the environment.
Question 3: Broader Opinion
“Do you think schools are doing enough to encourage students to be environmentally friendly? Why or why not?”
Point: Yes, I firmly believe that schools are doing a great job of encouraging students to be environmentally conscious.
Explanation: Schools integrate environmental topics into our Science and Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) lessons. Furthermore, they organize hands-on activities that make learning practical rather than just reading from a textbook.
Example/Experience: For example, during Earth Week at my school, there was an atmosphere of enthusiasm and purpose. We had an inter-class recycling competition where we collected old newspapers. My classmates were fully participative in the joyous occasion. The teachers also invited speakers to teach us about reducing our carbon footprint. These initiatives definitely foster a strong sense of responsibility and compassion for the earth among the students.
Link: Therefore, I think schools are definitely doing enough to equip us with the right mindset to protect the environment.
Go through below > when you have spare time ………….
🌟 High-Scoring Idioms & Vocabulary to Note
“Kill two birds with one stone” (Idiom) – To achieve two things at once.
Usage: “By recycling our cans at the void deck, we kill two birds with one stone: we get our refund and help save the environment!”
“Hit a record low” (Vocabulary) – To reach the lowest point ever recorded.
Usage: “Our recycling rate has hit a record low, so we must work harder to improve it.”
“Play our part” (Phrase) – To do one’s share of a task.
Usage: “If every student plays their part, our school will become much greener.”
“In the pipeline” (Idiom) – Something that is being planned or developed.
Usage: “There are many more recycling initiatives in the pipeline for 2026.”
Targeted Vocabs
Reverse Vending Machine (RVM): The specific name for the machine they are using. (e.g., “The family is depositing plastic bottles into a Reverse Vending Machine.”)
Recyclables: Items that can be recycled, rather than just saying “rubbish” or “trash”.
Carbon Footprint: The amount of greenhouse gases our actions create. (e.g., “Recycling helps to reduce our carbon footprint.”)
Incentives / Rewards: The points or grocery vouchers collected on the mobile phone app.
Reusable Bag: The tote bag the grandmother is carrying, which shows a commitment to reducing plastic waste.
Deposit: To put the bottles into the machine.
Inculcate / Cultivate: To teach and establish a habit. (e.g., “The grandmother is helping to inculcate good recycling habits in her granddaughters.”)
Accumulate / Redeem: Gathering points on the app and exchanging them for rewards.
Bond: Spending quality time together. (e.g., “This activity allows the family to bond over a meaningful task.”)
Conserve: To protect from waste or destruction. (e.g., “We must conserve our earth’s limited resources.”)
Eco-friendly / Environmentally-conscious: Caring about the environment.
Sustainable: Actions that can be maintained without harming the earth long-term.
Convenient / Hassle-free: Because the machine is right under an HDB block (at the void deck), it makes recycling easy.
Meaningful: A great way to describe an activity that has a positive purpose.
“Do our part for the environment”: A classic, strong phrase to show personal responsibility.
“Lead by example” / “Act as a role model”: Perfect for describing the grandmother teaching the younger generation.
“Kill two birds with one stone”: A great idiom to use here. (e.g., “By using this machine, they kill two birds with one stone: protecting the environment and earning grocery vouchers.”)
“Every little bit counts”: A good concluding thought to show that even recycling a few bottles makes a difference.