Townsville Primary School

PSLE

Briefing 2013

Townsville Primary School

2013 PSLE Matters

Townsville Primary School

EL Dept/PSLE Format/18.2.12

 Purpose of Assessment
Assessment Objectives
&
Examination Format
- English Language
- Foundation English Language
SEAB & MOE websites

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

English Language
It is to assess pupils attainment of the Learning Outcomes
stated in the English Language Syllabus 2001. The Learning
Outcomes form the basis of the assessment objectives.

Foundation English Language

It is to assess pupils attainment of the Learning Outcomes
stated in the English Language Syllabus 2001 for the Foundation
stream. The Learning Outcomes form the basis of the
assessment objectives.
- Adapted from SEAB website

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Pupils should be able to: write effectively in internationally acceptable English to

communicate ideas for different purposes, audiences and contexts
write legibly, coherently and cohesively
select relevant ideas, an appropriate focus and format to write the
target text
plan and organise relevant information with purpose, audience and
context in mind
demonstrate the correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation,
and the appropriate use of vocabulary in given contexts
EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Stream

Format

Marks Requirements

Standard

3 questions
- Answer 2
only

55 m

Q1 Situational Writing (15m)

(All pupils are required to do)

Q2&3 Continuous Writing (40m)

(Choose either one)
Q2 picture or Q3 situation

Foundation 2 questions
- Answer
both

40 m

Pupils are to do both questions.

Q1 Situational Writing (10m)
Q2 Continuous Writing (30m)
(3 pictures with helping words/phrases
for the first two pictures)

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Stream

Format

Standard
(15 marks)

Pupils will be required to meet the

demands of a given situational context
based on 6 questions.

Foundation
(10 marks)

Pupils will be required to meet the

demands of a given situational context
based on 5 questions.

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

EXAMPLE
Stimulus: Programme Booklet
Situation: A short letter
MUSICAL NIGHT 2006
presented by:
National Primary School
15 August 7 p.m.
School Auditorium
Programme
Guests to be seated by 6.45 p.m.
Welcome speech by the Principal
Under the Sea Drama Club
10 minute intermission
Rhythm & Blues Dance Club
Medley of Songs School Choir
Reception
Free Admission
Tickets issued on a first come first
served basis at the General Office
Tel: 6544 2122

Your Task
Imagine that you are Susan who has just returned
from her school Musical Night.
Write a short letter to your favourite cousin,
Jenny, telling her of your school event and your
successful performance.
You should refer to the programme on the previous
page.
In your letter, include the following information:
what the event was about
when and where the event was held
which item you were taking part in
why you found it challenging
how you felt about your performance
You may reorder the points. You should write in
complete sentences.

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Stream

Format

Standard
(40 marks)

Pupils are to write a composition of at least 150

words on one of two given topics:
(1) a piece of narrative writing based on a
pictorial stimulus OR
(2) an account of a given situation.

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Pictorial Stimulus

Given Situation

2) Write a story based on the

picture below. Your story should
be at least 150 words long.

3) One day you were at an MRT

station. As you were about to
board the train, you heard someone
calling your name. You turned to
look behind.

or
For your story make use of the
points below:
what the lady at the counter did
what happened next
what happened in the end
You may reorder the points. You
may also include other relevant
points.

Based on the above situation, write

a composition of at least 150 words.
In your composition, make use of the
points below:
who called you
what happened next
what happened in the end
You may reorder the points. You may
also include other relevant points.

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Stream

Format

Foundation
(30 marks)

Pupils are to write a composition of at least 120

words based on a series of three pictures.

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Foundation: Continuous Writing A series of 3 pictures

Two boys, Wei Ming and Salimi, went hiking at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
one Saturday morning.
Based on the pictures given below, write an account of what happened during
the hike. Your composition must be at least 120 words. You may use the
helping words given.
fine weather
excited
chatting happily
singing
bird chirping
many trees and plants
large snake
bit boys foot
screamed loudly
turned pale
in pain
shocked

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Pupils should be able to: demonstrate the ability to read and understand a range of texts

and use language accurately

demonstrate the correct use of grammar, spelling and

punctuation, and the appropriate use of vocabulary in given
contexts
construct meaning, make predictions, infer and draw
conclusions using visuals, text and language features, and
contextual clues
follow the development of ideas in a text
give reasons to support an opinion based on a given text
EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Pupils will be assessed on their ability to use language correctly and

to comprehend graphic and textual information.

Standard 95 marks

Foundation 60 marks

Grammar (25m)

Grammar (15m)

Vocabulary (10m)

Vocabulary (5m)

Spelling (5m)

Spelling (5m)

Synthesis & Transformation (10m)

Sentence Combining (5m)

Comprehension (30m)

Comprehension (25)

Comprehension Cloze (15m)

Comprehension Cloze (5m)

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Pupils should be able to: listen to a variety of spoken texts and demonstrate understanding of
the content at the literal and inferential levels
identify main ideas and recall details
infer and draw conclusions
follow a set of procedures

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

 There are 20 multiple-choice questions which test pupils ability to

understand spoken English.
The texts may be in the form of news items, announcements,
advertisements, instructions, conversations, telephone
conversations, speeches and stories.
Graphic options will be used for the first four items.

Standard & Foundation 20 marks

Q1 Q4

Graphic questions.
Questions are read out to pupils.

Q5 Q20

Questions and options are read out to

pupils.

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Pupils should be able to: read a passage with good pronunciation and clear articulation

use appropriate rhythm and stress to achieve a well-paced, fluent

reading of a passage
read with appropriate variation of pitch and tone in order to convey
the information, ideas and feelings in a passage
interpret the situation in a given picture
use a range of appropriate vocabulary and structures
give a personal response

express oneself clearly and interact with the examiner

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Reading Aloud (10m)

Pupils are assessed on their ability to pronounce and
articulate words clearly, as well as their ability to read
fluently with appropriate expression and rhythm.
Picture Discussion (10m)
Pupils are assessed on their ability to interpret the
situation in the picture, using correct grammar and
appropriate vocabulary.
Conversation (10m)
The examiner will engage the pupil in a conversation
on a given topic.
EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Standard & Foundation 30 marks

A common Theme e.g. An Outing, Hobby,
Concert Performance etc.
Oral Passage (10m)
Different
Picture Discussion (10m)
Conversation (10m)

Identical

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Oral Reading Passage - Standard

Susan was an extremely selfish and inconsiderate girl.
She wanted everything to be done her way and she often threw tantrums
when she could not have her way with things. Susans parents did not
know what to do with her and were really glad when she went on a school
outing to a home for handicapped children.
That day, Susan returned home a changed girl! She was
amazed at the attitude of the children at the home. Even though they were
disabled, they remained cheerful, kept a positive outlook on things and
tried their best to be independent. Not once did Susan hear them
complain about being handicapped.
Susan had learnt a valuable lesson indeed and finally
realised how lucky she was. When she got home that evening, Susan
rushed up to hug her parents and said, Thank you so much for being such
great parents.
From then on, she did her part to help out with the
household chores at home, much to the delight of her mother!
EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Oral Reading Passage Foundation

(Shorter passage with slight difference in the vocabulary.)
Susan was a selfish and inconsiderate girl. She wanted
everything to be done her way and she often became angry when she
could not have her way with things. Her parents did not know what to do
with her. Then one day, she went on a school outing to a home for
handicapped children.
That day, Susan came home a changed girl! She was
amazed at what she saw. Even though these children were disabled, they
were cheerful and tried their best to be independent. Not once did any of
them complain about being handicapped.
Susan finally realised how lucky she was. When she
reached home that evening, she rushed up to hug her parents and said,
Thank you so much for being such great parents.
From then on, Susan did her part to help out at home much to the delight
of her mother!

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Picture Discussion Standard & Foundation

Examiners will ask pupils the
following questions:
Initial Prompt
What do you think is
happening in this picture?
Additional Prompts
What is this girl doing? (Direct
pupils attention to the girl who is
pushing the wheelchair.)
Why do you think the girl is in
the wheelchair?
How do you think she feels?
Why?
What do you think will happen
next?

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Conversation Standard & Foundation

Examiners will ask pupils the following questions:
Initial Prompt
Have you ever visited a home for the disabled or aged?
(If the answer is Yes) - Where did you go?
(If the answer is No) - Would you like to go? Where would you like
to go? Why would you like to go there?
Additional Prompts
Tell me more about what you would do at this home.
How would they feel during your time spent together with them?

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

Format

Standard
Foundation
(200 marks) (150 marks)

Paper 1

55 marks

40 marks

95 marks

60 marks

20 marks

20 marks

30 marks

30 marks

Situational & Continuous Writing

Paper 2
Language Use & Comprehension

Paper 3
Listening Comprehension

Paper 4
Oral Communication

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

PSLE information can be obtained from:

http://www.seab.gov.sg/psle/2013subjectInfo.html
English syllabuses can be obtained from:
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/languages-andliterature/

EL Dept/ PSLE Format/ 18.2.12

PSLE information can be obtained from:

http://www.seab.gov.sg