Our planet’s alarm is going off, and it is time to wake up and take action!
O’LEVELS ENGLISH DAY 4: 2023 ORAL QUESTION (ENVIRONMENT-HAZE)
Video: Candidates were shown a 1-min of haze in Singapore with people walking around in their masks
(As you should already know, the sound in the video is immaterial. Focus on the content and subject.)
How to tackle the Oral Planned Response Question:
For planned response, students must present a 2-minute response (usually this means two PEEL Paragraphs) to answer the question. You can refer to your written notes. Use 5Ws and 1H when you are brainstorming for answers. Be certain to answer the prompt, identify keywords and present your thoughts confidently. Refer to our earlier post on O’levels 1184 Planned Response Format.
Planned Response Question:
“How do you think the haze will impact people who live in the city?”
Suggested Approach
Candidates can mention how people of different health conditions, ages and trades are affected by the haze. From productivity, cancellation of school events, school closures to respiratory illness spikes and cancellation of travel plans, all these are consequences of haze upon people who reside in the city. Candidates need to ensure that they elaborate on their points rather than list down all the problems. For instance, candidates can point out that haze worsen the air pollution in city and exacerbate the respiratory health problems of those with asthma.
Candidates can cite how haze will limit their outdoor activities. For instance, haze may have affected their school’s sports day / CCA. With the air quality deteriorated dramatically due to haze caused by forest fires in the region, people limit their outdoor activities finding themselves confined to indoors / at home /in classrooms, feeling a sense of frustration and helplessness. Others may cite the lack of visibility affects driving conditions and how drivers may have problems navigating around and they may resort to drive with full headlights on a brightly-lit street due to the thick haze.
Note: You should address the examiner’s question directly and focus on using strong adjectives to relate the video to the question. The two points for your answers should not be too similar and it should have personal observations / examples. The planned response is around two mins long. (2 PEEL 1 adjective + explain with evidence)
Our planet’s alarm is going off, and it is time to wake up and take action! – Leonardo DiCaprio
Spoken Interaction (Environment)
- Do you think that protecting the environment is important to us?
Suggested Approach:
Candidates can point out being a young person, they/we are the ones who will bear the brunt of climate change impacts in the future. It is hence pivotal for youths to prioritise protection of the environment as this would mean that we/they are safeguarding their own well-being. From a personal perspective, one can cite how one have a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. By caring for the environment, they ensure that posterity can continue to enjoy and be inspired by the wonders of the natural world.
Important Note: You should use strong vocabulary, provide examples / own personal experience to substantiate your points. Do not get flustered if oral examiners ask you additional questions.
2) Do you think that human activities are carried out at the expense of the environment?
Suggested Approach:
State your stand clearly.
Candidates can start by briefly explaining what type of human activities they are going to cite—the burning of fossil fuels, extensive land and water use, overfishing, deforestation—all of these have been increasingly disruptive to Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and land surface over the past 50 years, before moving on to cite how these disruptions pose serious threats to human health and wellbeing.
Those in agreement should state that although they are aware that efforts are made to mitigate the effects of human activities yet clearly with the rise of global warming, this is clear evidence that anthropogenic activities is deepening the climate crisis.
For well considered responses, candidates need to point out there are positive human activities and sustainability efforts are on the rise by governments (Singapore 2030 Green Plan), corporations and how individuals to work towards sustainability. For instance, Singapore is expected to get its first hydrogen-ready power plant by the first half of 2026 as the Singapore transitions its power sector into one using less carbon-emitting fuels. Countries are adopting renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power for electricity generation reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Individuals are embracing a minimalist lifestyle by reducing consumption and these human activities can have a positive impact on the environment.
Remember as always, we are listening out for your ability to organise your points with clear articulation and style, your ability to engage the examiners with sound, interesting and relevant content will push your grades further to distinction.
Looking for tips on how to do well for Oral examinations? Want more oral notes and oral practice questions? How do you answer a O’Levels Oral Planned Response Question? Subscribe to our channel for exclusive videos, see below for oral tips like commonly mispronounced words by Singaporeans.
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