SG50 Special Topic

Oral: Stimulus-based Conversation

Model Answers

Model Answers
1.

Directly-linked
Do you like this years funpack? Why?

Response (With details from the stimulus): Yes, I like this years funpack. The funpack has
some interesting items like a Singa the lion figurine, a Chapteh and a booklet that is about
Singapore. My favourite item is the booklet that is titled Majulah Singapura.
Application to self: As I love Social Studies, I definitely will enjoy this publication. It is likely
to be a commemorative item that is specially published to celebrate Singapores 50th
birthday. Hence, I believe that it will contain valuable photographs and information that will
provide readers with a glimpse of Singapores past. I hope that I will be able to learn more
about Singapore through this booklet.
Response: Another item that caught my attention is the Chapteh. I remember playing with
one before but I was not very good at it.
Application to self: It seems rather hard to find a Chapteh nowadays so I am excited to
receive a nostalgic item like this one. With a free one in the funpack, I will be able to enjoy
playing with it with my brother. Hopefully, my skills will improve with more practice!
The other side of the story (The other point of view): However, compared to last years
funpack, I feel that this years does not contain as many fun items.
Your own story: Last year, when I was in Primary 5, all of us were given a chance to attend
the parade rehearsal. One Saturday, my classmates and I took a coach to the parade venue,
the floating platform. Once we arrived at our destination, there were colourful funpacks
waiting for us at our seats. I remembered that the fun pack included a bracelet that could
light up and my friends and I loved our bracelets.
Conclusion: It will be nice if this years fun pack contains an item like that too. Nonetheless, I
will still like to have this years fun pack since it has other special items to celebrate
Singapores golden jubilee.

lil but Mighty English 2015

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2. Broadly-Linked
If you can add an item to the funpack, what will it be? Why?
Response: I will add a mini battery-operated handheld fan to the funpack. Since this is the
same funpack that the spectators attending the parade will receive, I am sure a mini fan will
be very useful for them as they wait under the scorching sun.
Application to self: From my experience last year, there is no shelter at the parade venue
and it is extremely hot for the spectators. They will have to reach the venue early and there
is usually quite a long period of waiting time before the parade begins. Hence, a mini fan will
provide relief for the spectators and help to cool them down a little.

Initiating new topic: In addition, the fan should have a special design to commemorate
SG50.
Application to self: If I am to design the fan, I will have it either in red or white as these are
our national colours. The blades can have a picture of the Vanda Miss Joaquim, our national
flower, or the number 50 printed on them and there should be lights attached to the fan.
When the fans are switched on after night has fallen, there will be a sea of colours at the
parade.
Your own story: Last year, when I was at the parade, my friends and I had eagerly switched
on our bracelets when the host of the parade told us to do so. As we watched the parade at
the floating platform, we raised our hands in the air and the lights from our bracelets lit up
the parade beautifully. We were ecstatic when we saw how a small light from each of us can
light up the entire parade together as one.
Conclusion: Being able to contribute to the parade made me enjoy the entire experience
even more! A fan is practical and can help the spectators to be involved in the parade.
Hence, adding a mini fan into the funpack will be a good idea.

TIP: The item added should be related to National Day in some way e.g. design or purpose
since it is to be found in a National Day funpack. Remember: purpose, audience, context.
Other interesting items:
- Black Knights Plane Models (suggested by one of my pupils)
- SG50 Parachute toy with a soldier (nostalgic and related to the Red Lions)
- Disposable camera (to capture the moments and frame up the photographs)

lil but Mighty English 2015

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3. Broadly-linked
How do you usually spend your National Day holiday? Tell me about
it.
(Note: For such questions, your story is basically the response as they are
asking for your experiences. The 5W1H is extremely crucial here to provide a
complete story to answer the question. Some 5W1H are picked out below as
an example.)
Response:
(Who + Where) My family and I usually spend National Day at my uncles place.
(Why) National Day is a public holiday and hence, all of us will be free to meet up and
celebrate together.
(What happened)Every year, my uncle will hold a party at his home. Last year, it was a
potluck party and every one had to contribute a dish. Since it was a day to celebrate our
nations birthday, we decided that we would all bring a local dish. Being a fantastic cook, my
father whipped up his famous laksa for the occasion.
(When)We reached my uncles home in the afternoon with the big pot of gravy and other
ingredients for the dish.
(What happened)The adults chatted among themselves while my cousins and I played
catching at the playground. However, in the evening, we gathered in front of the television. It
is our tradition to watch the parade together as we had our dinner. Some of my favourite
parts of the parade were the Black Knights performance and the fireworks. Every year, It
gives me a thrill to watch the Black Knights perform various antics with their planes in the
sky and we would run to the balcony to catch a glimpse of the planes after they left the
stadium. [ important to include as they are unique to National Day and show relevance]
As my uncles home is at Tanjong Pagar and there is a rooftop garden, we all scrambled
upstairs when the parade was about to end. The rooftop garden is very high and provides a
birds eye view of the city. Most importantly, we were able to catch the fireworks clearly
when we were there. We waited with bated breath for the fireworks display to begin and the
garden was always very crowded with other like-minded people as well. There were even
photographers with their cameras waiting to capture the burst of colours in the sky! The
fireworks are my absolute favourite part of the parade and I enjoy watching it every year.
[ important to include as they are unique to National Day and show relevance]
(How did it end) After the parade ended, we bade farewell to my relatives.

Conclusion: I enjoy spending my National Day holiday with my loved ones and it is definitely a
celebration that I look forward to every year.

lil but Mighty English 2015

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