Reminders for oral exam
Picture discussion:
Always answer the question first, then use the
following pointers to continue with the discussion:
• Step 1:
Describe the physical environment.
- foreground, background, in the centre of the picture.
- where could the place be…
• Step 2:
Describe the people.
- activity: what they are doing.
- emotions: based on their facial expressions
- relationship: derive the relationship between the people.
• Step 3:
- guess how the picture was taken – ie. was it
posed or taken candidly.
- link it to your personal experiences (eg. this
picture actually reminds me of how I used to ride
a bicycle in my neighbourhood..I really miss those
days”)
Typical questions for Picture Discussion
What do you think is happening here?
(Guessing the context of the picture)
Say what the person is thinking/ feeling?
(Guessing the thoughts/ feelings of a
person via his/ her facial expressions &
body language)
What do you think may happen next/ what
do you think may have happened before the
picture was taken?
(Guessing the outcome or the events that
occurred before)
Q: What is happening here?
The three girls in the foreground of the picture seem immensely delighted.
Judging from the slip of paper that the girl in the middle is holding, I guess this
may well be the day that they were receiving their O Level results.
Q: Say what the girl on the far right is thinking/ feeling?
The girl on the far right is clasping her hand over her mouth – perhaps she is
totally overwhelmed with joy so much so that she is on the verge of crying. I
guess she must be pleasantly surprised by her own achievements and may be
thinking of how she could have done so well.
Q: What do you think may happen after the picture was taken?
In the next few minutes, I think the girls would be making a lot of noise,
comparing each others’ marks and making comments about each others’
achievements. When the commotion has dwindled, I guess they may settle
down and start to discuss registration matters, or even talk about where and
how to celebrate their success.
Things that you can do to prepare
for picture discussion
• Prepare a list of vocabulary to replace
overly used words/ phrases (eg. Nice,
happy, sad, excited)
• Go around and observe the people and
things around you; deduce the purpose
behind the activity you see and deduce the
relationship of the people who are involved
in the activity.
Component 3: Conversation
Impression management issues
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•
•
•
Look at the examiner in the eye.
Be confident – do not fidget!!
Smile appropriately
Acknowledge by nodding slightly.
Mind your posture & body language.
Component 3: Conversation
Common words & phrases
1. “Well….” – to stall time and to show that you are
thinking.
2.“As a matter of fact….” – to continue an issue with
examples.
Eg.
Q: Have you ever been to a live concert
before?
Yes, I have – as a matter of fact, I’ve just
attended a concert recently at the
Esplanade…
3. “Personally speaking…”
Component 3: Conversation
Common words & phrases
4. “In my opinion…”
Eg. Qn:
Do you think casinos should be set up in
Singapore?
Well…in my opinion, casinos should not be set
up in the near future.
5. “I reckon that…” – to replace “think”, “feel”
6. “I confer with the view that…” – to replace “agree”
7. “I differ with the view that students wearing school
uniforms will perform better in their studies”
Component 3: Conversation
Common words & phrases
7. “I’m inclined to say that…”
Eg.
Qn: So do you think that students should
not work part-time?
Well…I’m inclined to say that this should
be avoided as far as possible.
8. “I am doubtful” or “I doubt so”
-- to replace “I don’t think so”.
9. “There are pros and cons to the issue..”
-- to replace “good and bad things”
Component 3: Conversation
Common words & phrases
10. “I strongly believe…”
11. “In my humble opinion…”
12. “Prevalent social phenomenon…”
Eg. I think addiction to gambling is a
social phenomenon that is prevalent in
most modern societies.
13. “In conclusion, I think we need to consider
both the advantages and disadvantages
of….”
Component 3: Conversation
Framing your answers
•
•
Splitting your answers in points:
Eg. “I can foresee three advantages/
disadvantages to this issue.
Firstly…secondly…thirdly…”
Breaking down your answers in terms of
time:
Eg. “Well, in the short run I think this is a
good measure. However, in the long run,
this may not work…”
Component 3: Conversation
Miscellaneous tips
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•
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Give lot’s of examples from your own personal
experience.
Humour is good – but don’t push it.
Drawing a conclusion with some morale or
personal learning points.
If you answer the question with a “no”, try to
redirect the conversation to someone or
something else.
Eg. “Have you ever been to Australia?”
“No, but I know of a close friend who has
been there for several times…”
Component 3: Conversation
Miscellaneous tips
•
•
•
The conversion component is really about
you – ie. your opinions of certain issues.
Thus, you can prepare for this component
by listing out a set of “FAQs” about yourself
(eg. What are your views about students
working part-time; what is your greatest
achievement in life; what is your ambition)
You may not be able to cover every
possible issue, but at least it gets you into
the mode of thinking…
Component 3: Conversation
Practice
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“Have you ever been on a camping trip? Do
you enjoy it?”
“Tell me about your favourite hobby”.
“Do you think Singaporean youths are too
pampered?”
“Have there been a time in your life when
you’ve been cheated by a close friend?”
“Do you think that the Singapore lifestyle is
too stressful?”