PSLE SBC Practice 4: A School Sports Day (model answers)
How to use this page: cover the model answers, respond to each question out loud, then compare. The examiner notes explain where the marks are.
The stimulus
On a school field, children in different coloured house T-shirts are taking part in a relay race. One runner is stretching to pass a baton to a teammate, whose face shows great effort. On the side, classmates are cheering and waving small flags, while a teacher with a stopwatch looks on. Banners and balloons decorate the field on a bright, sunny day.
In the real exam the stimulus is a photograph; this image stands in for one. Describe it as if you can see it.
Question 1, "Look at the children in the picture. How do you think they are feeling? Why do you say so?"
The 2026 first question is picture-based and asks you to read the people's feelings and back it up with what you can see, not just list objects. Name the feeling, then point to the evidence.
Weak answer: "They feel excited. They are running a race."
Strong answer: "I think the children are feeling excited and determined. I say so because the runner passing the baton is stretching out with a look of great effort on her face, so she is clearly trying her very hardest for her team. The classmates at the side are cheering loudly and waving flags, which shows they feel thrilled and are eager for their house to win. With the banners and balloons all around, everyone seems caught up in the fun and energy of sports day."
Examiner note: the weak answer names a feeling but immediately drops into description. The strong answer names the feelings (excited, determined, thrilled) and ties each to something in the photo ("great effort on her face", "cheering loudly and waving flags", "caught up in the fun"). Feeling plus evidence is exactly what the 2026 picture question rewards. Formula: "They feel ___ because I can see ___."
Question 2, "Do you enjoy taking part in sports or games? Tell me about a time you did."
The mark is for a developed personal response, a real example, described with some detail.
Weak answer: "Yes, I like sports. I played once and it was fun."
Strong answer: "Yes, I really enjoy them. Last year, I took part in the captain's ball competition during my school's sports day. I was quite nervous because I am not the fastest player, but my team encouraged me and I managed to catch an important ball near the end. We did not win, but I felt proud that I had played my part. Ever since then, I have enjoyed team games much more, because it is not only about winning but about doing it together."
Examiner note: the weak answer is vague and stops early. The strong answer names a specific event, describes the child's own feelings and role, and reflects on what it taught them. Specific and personal beats general every time.
Question 3, "Some people say winning is the most important part of sports. Do you agree?"
A broader opinion question. The mark is for a clear, reasoned view, and it's fine to weigh both sides.
Strong answer: "I don't fully agree. Of course, winning feels wonderful and it is natural to want to do well. However, I think taking part, trying your best, and learning to work as a team matter just as much, like the runners in the picture cheering each other on. If winning were all that mattered, players would be afraid to take part in case they lost. So I believe the real value of sports is in the effort and the friendships, with winning as a nice bonus."
Examiner note: the answer takes a position, supports it with reasons, considers the other side, and links back to the stimulus (the cheering teammates). That balance and development is what separates a top oral answer from a plain "no, winning isn't everything."
Practise the skill, not the script
These are models, not scripts to memorise. Rehearse the habits, describe the photo in full, and give every opinion a reason and a real example, on new photos each day. That flexibility is what the exam actually rewards.
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