PSLE#20 English Oral - City in Nature: Coexisting with Wildlife
PSLEhacker Episode #20 - TREE Method
Date of News Article: 20 February 2026 Source: Adapted from The Straits Times (Environment & Wildlife)
Reading Passage:
As Singapore continues to weave greenery into its urban landscape, it has truly blossomed into a “City in Nature.” However, this beautiful transformation means that human habitats and natural habitats are increasingly overlapping. In recent months, there has been a noticeable rise in wildlife sightings across the island, ranging from otters crossing busy roads to wild boars foraging near housing estates.
Recently, beachgoers were startled when a crocodile was spotted swimming in the shallow waters near a popular recreational beach. The National Parks Board (NParks) responded swiftly, cordoning off the area and deploying officers to monitor the situation. Such sightings, while alarming to some, are a natural part of living on an island surrounded by mangroves and coastal habitats.
Authorities regularly issue public advisories to educate citizens on how to react during these encounters. The golden rule is to remain calm and observe from a safe distance. The public is strictly warned not to approach, provoke, or feed the animals. Feeding wildlife alters their natural foraging habits and can make them aggressive towards humans.
Learning to share our island with these creatures requires a shift in mindset. Instead of viewing wildlife merely as a nuisance or a threat, we must learn to respect their space. Parents and educators play a crucial role in helping to inculcate this respect in the younger generation. By staying informed and adopting a proactive approach to wildlife safety, Singaporeans are making a meaningful and wise choice. Embracing coexistence ensures that both humans and animals can thrive together harmoniously.
Word Count: 295 words
PSLE Oral Practice: Stimulus-Based Conversation (TREE Method)
Question 1: Visual Stimulus
“Look at the picture. What has been spotted in the water, and what should someone do if they see it while at the beach?”
Thought (T): It looks like a crocodile has been spotted swimming in the water near the beach, and anyone who sees it should immediately move away and alert the authorities.
Reason (R): Wild animals like crocodiles are dangerous and unpredictable. They are incredibly fast in the water, so staying near the shore puts a person at great risk of being attacked.
Experience (E): I remember reading a news article about a similar sighting at East Coast Park. The authorities quickly cordoned off the beach, and visitors had to listen to the park rangers’ instructions to stay behind the barricades.
Ending (E): Therefore, prioritizing our safety, keeping a wide distance, and calling NParks is the most wise choice in such a situation.
Question 2: Personal Opinion
“How would you feel and react if you encountered a wild animal, like a monkey or a wild boar, in a park or your neighbourhood?”
Thought (T): I would feel quite startled and nervous, but I would try my absolute best to remain calm and back away slowly.
Reason (R): Making sudden, jerky movements or shouting loudly might frighten the animal or make it feel threatened, which could provoke it to attack out of defense.
Experience (E): Once, while cycling at Coney Island, a family of wild boars crossed the dirt path just a few meters in front of me. Instead of panicking, I remembered my teacher’s advice. I stopped my bicycle quietly and waited patiently for them to pass into the forest. It was a scary encounter, but handling it correctly gave me a deep sense of accomplishment.
Ending (E): By staying calm and not provoking them, we can do our part to ensure both our own safety and the animal’s well-being.
Question 3: Solution-Based
“As Singapore becomes a ‘City in Nature’, how can we educate the public to live safely and harmoniously with wildlife?”
Thought (T): The government and schools can organize educational campaigns and erect clear, easy-to-read warning signs in areas where wildlife is known to roam.
Reason (R): Many accidents happen because people lack awareness; for example, some might think it is fun to feed wild monkeys, not knowing that it causes the animals to become aggressive and reliant on humans.
Experience (E): Schools could invite animal rescue groups like ACRES to give talks during assembly to inculcate a sense of respect for nature in students. They can teach us the important “dos and don’ts,” like never leaving our food unattended at a picnic. Sharing this knowledge with our families helps to forge a strong sense of camaraderie as we look out for one another’s safety.
Ending (E): Through continuous education, we can be proactive in ensuring humans and wildlife can safely share this beautiful island.
Theme: Wildlife in Singapore / Safety / Environment Visual Stimulus: A photo taken from a safe distance behind palm trees, looking out at the sea. A red circle highlights a dark, elongated figure—a crocodile—swimming in the shallow waters.
📖 Vocabulary List
Coexisting (Verb): Existing at the same time or in the same place in peace.
Cordoning (Verb): Preventing access to or from an area or building by enclosing it with a string, tape, or line of police.
Advisories (Noun): Official announcements or warnings.
Provoke (Verb): Stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one, in someone or an animal.
Foraging (Verb): (Of a person or animal) searching widely for food or provisions.
🌟 Idiom of the Day
“Let sleeping dogs lie”
Meaning: To avoid interfering in a situation that is currently causing no problems, as doing so might create trouble. (In this context: leave wild animals alone so you don’t provoke them).
PSLE Oral Usage: “When we see wild monkeys resting in the park, it is best to let sleeping dogs lie and observe them from a safe distance.”