PSLE #46 English Oral – Beyond the Grades: The Magic of Storybooks
PSLEhacker Episode #46 - 5W1H Focus
Date of News Article: 20 February 2026 Source: Adapted from National Library Board (NLB) & Educational Features
Reading Passage:
In Singapore, almost nine in ten teens and adults read regularly, according to the National Library Board’s National Reading Habits Study. Yet, among younger students, there is often a misconception about why we read. Many students view reading purely as a functional task—a way to get better grades in tests or to improve their vocabulary for English compositions.
However, the true magic of storybooks goes much deeper than academic success. Psychologists and educators emphasize that fictional stories are an indispensable tool for building emotional intelligence and empathy. By stepping into a character’s shoes, youths learn to understand different perspectives and complex emotions that they might not encounter in their daily routines.
Furthermore, in an age of constant screen time and digital distractions, a physical book provides a quiet refuge. Taking the time to get lost in a gentle story helps to promote emotional regulation and reduces the stress of a heavy school syllabus. To encourage this, initiatives like the NLB’s Read@School programme and Books2Go mobile libraries bring a wide variety of books directly to students, making the discovery of new adventures easier than ever.
We must be proactive in cultivating a genuine love for literature. Making the meaningful and wise choice to read for pleasure helps students forge a strong sense of camaraderie with fellow readers and characters alike. Ultimately, a good book is the most invaluable ticket to travel the world without ever leaving your chair.
Word Count: 285 words
PSLE Oral Practice: Stimulus-Based Conversation (5W1H Focus)
Question 1: Visual Analysis (Using basic 5W1H to describe)
“Look at the picture. What is the student doing, and how do you think he is feeling?”
Who & Where: A student is sitting comfortably on a beanbag in the school’s Media Resource Library.
What & When: He is deeply engrossed in reading a fiction storybook, likely taking a mental break during his recess or after school.
Why & How: He looks completely relaxed and captivated by the plot. I say this because his eyes are focused entirely on the pages, and he seems oblivious to anything else happening around him. He is making the proactive choice to use his free time to read, which gives him a deep sense of reassurance and a wonderful escape from his studies.
Question 2: Personal Recount (Applying full 5W1H)
“Tell us about a storybook you read recently that left a deep impression on you.” Swap the book title with your actual favorite book!
What & Who: The book that left a deep impression on me is an adventure story about a young boy who had to survive in the wilderness.
When & Where: I borrowed it from the NLB Books2Go mobile library when it visited my school’s courtyard last month.
Why: It was invaluable to me because the main character faced so many terrifying challenges, yet he never gave up. It taught me the true meaning of resilience.
How: Reading it actually helped me develop my empathy. Now, whenever I feel overwhelmed by my own schoolwork, I remember how the character managed to weather the storm of his difficulties, and it gives me the courage to keep trying my best.
Question 3: Opinion & Experience
“Some students say they only read books because their parents or teachers force them to in order to pass their English exams. Do you think this is the right attitude? Why or why not?”
Opinion: I strongly disagree with that attitude. While reading definitely improves our grammar and vocabulary, treating it only as a chore ruins the magic of the experience.
Reason: If we only read for grades, we miss out on the creativity and emotional intelligence that stories provide. Fiction allows us to explore different cultures and understand how other people live.
Experience (5W1H style): (When/Where) During the recent school holidays at home, (Who/What) I spent my afternoons reading a fantasy series instead of just playing mobile games. (How/Why) I realized that I wasn’t just learning new words; I was truly enjoying the thrill of the plot. Making the meaningful and wise choice to read for pleasure has made English my favorite subject naturally, rather than a stressful one.
Theme: Reading Habits / Empathy / School Library Visual Stimulus: A photo of a student sitting on a beanbag in a cozy school library, completely engrossed in an adventure storybook.
🌟 Mastery Vocabulary List
Engrossed: Having all one’s attention or interest absorbed by someone or something.
Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another character or person.
Refuge: A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.
Cultivate: To try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill).
Misconception: A view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding.