PSLE SBC Practice 1: Cooking Together at Home
This page helps you practise talking about a photo for the PSLE Oral. Cover the model answers first. Look at the photo, answer each question out loud, then compare.
The photo
Question 1: how is the family feeling?
"Look at the picture. How do you think the family is feeling? Why do you say so?"
This question is about the photo. Say how the people feel. Then point to what you can see that shows it. Do not just list objects.
Weak answer: "They look happy. They are cooking."
Strong answer: "I think the family is feeling happy and relaxed. I say so because all three of them are smiling and laughing while they make dumplings together, so they seem to be enjoying each other's company. Even though there is flour scattered all over the counter, no one looks annoyed by the mess, they look like they are having fun. The two children also seem eager and involved, because their hands are busy shaping the dumplings rather than standing back and watching."
| Weak answer | Strong answer | |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings | Happy | Happy, relaxed, eager |
| Proof from the photo | None | "smiling and laughing", "no one looks annoyed by the mess", "their hands are busy" |
| What it ends up doing | Describes the photo | Explains each feeling |
Use this shape for the first question: "They feel ___ because I can see ___."
Question 2: do you enjoy helping with food?
"Do you enjoy helping to prepare food at home? Why or why not?"
Now the question is about your own life. Give a clear opinion, a reason and an example. A one-word yes or no is not enough.
Weak answer: "Yes, because it is fun."
Strong answer: "Yes, I really enjoy it. For example, I help my grandmother wash and cut the vegetables when she cooks dinner. I like it because she teaches me little tricks, like how to tell when the soup is ready, and it means we get to chat while we work. So for me, helping in the kitchen is both useful and a nice way to spend time with her."
| Weak answer | Strong answer | |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion | Yes | Yes, I really enjoy it |
| Example | None | Washing and cutting vegetables for grandmother |
| Reason | "it is fun" | She teaches tricks, and they chat while they work |
| Ending | None | Sums up the point |
Say your view, give an example, explain why, then sum up.
Question 3: do families spend too little time together?
"Some people say families today spend too little time together. What do you think?"
This question asks for your view on a wider topic. Organise your answer. You can talk about both sides.
Strong answer: "I think there is some truth to that. These days, parents are often busy with work and children have a lot of homework and activities, so it can be hard to find time together. However, I believe families can still make small moments count, like having dinner together or cooking on weekends, as in the picture. So rather than needing lots of time, I think it is about using the time we have well."
Why this answer does well:
- It agrees there is a problem and gives the reasons.
- It then gives a different view, with an example.
- The example links back to the photo.
- It develops the idea instead of agreeing in 1 sentence.
Practise the habits, not the answers
Do not learn these answers by heart. Examiners can tell, and it sounds unnatural. Practise 2 habits instead:
- In any photo, name the feelings and say what shows them.
- Back every opinion with a reason and an example.
Try both on 3 different photos tonight.
Next: SBC Practice 2: A Community Clean-Up · Back to PSLE Oral Practice
Want the full method? Read How to answer any SBC photo.