PSLE #48 English Oral – A City in Nature: Exploring Our Own Backyard
PSLEhacker Episode #48 - 5W1H Focus
Date of News Article: 2 Jan 2025 Source: Adapted from Tourism & Local Lifestyle Features
Reading Passage:
Singapore is renowned globally not just for its towering skyscrapers, but for its stunning greenery. Our nation has successfully transitioned from a “Garden City” to a “City in Nature.” World-class attractions like Gardens by the Bay, with its futuristic Supertrees and massive climate-controlled domes, draw millions of international tourists every year.
However, it is easy for locals to become oblivious to the beauty that lies right in their own backyard. Many youths equate school holidays exclusively with travelling overseas or staying home to play video games. Yet, taking the time to explore local places of interest is an indispensable way to bond with family and learn about our nation’s biodiversity.
Walking through the Cloud Forest or strolling along the Marina Bay waterfront provides a much-needed escape from the concrete jungle of our daily lives. These outdoor excursions give families a deep sense of reassurance and peace. Furthermore, navigating a crowded attraction, enduring the humid weather, or queuing for an exhibit teaches children to be proactive and patient.
Instead of taking our beautifully manicured parks for granted, we must make the meaningful and wise choice to act as tourists in our own country. By packing a water bottle, putting on a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and choosing to weather the storm of the occasional afternoon shower, families can easily forge a strong sense of camaraderie and create unforgettable weekend memories.
Word Count: 280 words
PSLE Oral Practice: Stimulus-Based Conversation (5W1H Focus)
Question 1: Visual Analysis (Using basic 5W1H to describe)
“Look at the picture. Describe what the family is doing and how they are feeling.”
Who & Where: A family of five is walking along the suspended walkway at Gardens by the Bay.
What & When: They are exploring the Supertree Grove on what looks like a bright, sunny weekend morning.
Why & How: The children are pointing excitedly at the scenery, which shows they are highly engaged and amazed by the view. They are making the proactive choice to spend time outdoors rather than looking at their phones. Being so high up surrounded by nature likely gives them a thrilling yet peaceful feeling, helping the whole family forge a strong sense of camaraderie.
Question 2: Personal Recount (Applying full 5W1H)
“Tell us about a time you visited a local place of interest with your family. What did you see and do?” (Note : Think of your last family outing!)
Who & Where: Last December, my parents brought my siblings and me to the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay.
What & When: We went early on a Saturday morning to see the special Christmas floral display before the huge crowds arrived.
Why: It was an invaluable experience because we rarely get to see such exotic, temperate plants in Singapore’s hot climate.
How: I was in charge of using my father’s camera to take family portraits. Even though we had to weather the storm of a long queue to enter, seeing the beautiful decorations gave me a deep sense of reassurance that the holiday season had officially begun. We had a wonderful time taking photos together.
Question 3: Opinion & Experience
“Some teenagers complain that Singapore is ‘boring’ and there is nothing fun to do unless they travel overseas. Do you agree?”
Opinion: I strongly disagree. I think people who say Singapore is boring are simply being oblivious to the constant events and beautiful attractions right in front of them.
Reason: It is a misconception that you need a passport to have an adventure. From the nature trails at MacRitchie Reservoir to the exhibitions at the Science Centre, there are world-class facilities available locally.
Experience (5W1H style): (When/Where) Just two weeks ago, (Who/What) my friends and I made the meaningful and wise choice to explore the Jurassic Mile near Changi Airport on rented bicycles. (How/Why) It was free and incredibly fun. We realized that if we are proactive in planning our weekends, we can have just as much fun exploring our own city as we would in a foreign country.
Theme: Local Attractions / Family Outings / Nature Visual Stimulus: A photo of a family (parents and three children) walking along the OCBC Skyway at Gardens by the Bay. The massive Supertrees tower above them against a bright blue sky. The children are pointing excitedly at the city skyline.
🌟 Mastery Vocabulary List (Post #48)
Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
Futuristic: Having or involving very modern technology or design.
Excursion: A short journey or trip, especially one taken as a leisure activity.
Manicured: Neatly trimmed and well-kept (describing the gardens/parks).
Equate: Consider (one thing) to be the same as or equivalent to another.