Below are some oral topics that I have gone through with my students. The questions are a mix of past year questions, adapted from said questions, or entirely self-set. May the pointers serve a valuable starting point for your discussions and conversations in the exam hall. All the best for your O Level Oral preparation!
Theme 1: Elderly People in Singapore
Planned Response [Video showed a series of activities that elderly people do in both facilities and in public, such as guided exercises under the supervision of care providers, and of elderly people commuting in mobility devices]
What do you think is important to consider when working with the elderly? Why do you say so?
We first need to consider that the physical capabilities of the elderly may have declined significantly from when they were younger. This presents risks, both in homes as well as care facilities. A fall that they could shrug off when they were younger could prove to be highly debilitating at this current stage of life. Yet, confining them to a bed or keeping them seated is not viable either. Ironically, the elderly, too, need some degree of physical activity so that muscles and motor skills do not waste away entirely. Facilities like exercise machines in care facilities offer an avenue for the elderly to remain physically mobile, albeit with close supervision from experienced caregivers.
Care goes beyond the physical or physiological aspects too. One must consider the emotional and mental needs of the elderly, ensuring that interactions are positive and engaging, rather than demeaning and restrictive (even if well-intended). After all, the elderly have been largely independent for a good part of their lives. Facing down the gradual erosion of their independence and ability to perform tasks can be a distressing and frustrating experience for them. One working with the elderly must empathise with these struggles and simultaneously power through the more emotionally-taxing aspects of this duty.
Conversation – Theme 1
Describe an experience you had talking to someone from a much older generation.
This brings to mind one particular volunteering session at an old folk’s home, as part of our school’s Values in Action programme back in Secondary 2. It involved a performance as well as time to interact with the residents and join the staff for activities. I joined a lady and very quickly hit it off. I was struck by the diverse experiences she had. She described how she had helped out at the family business, a food stall, since she was just a child. Following that, it was how she raising a family during the chaotic period when Singapore was still modernising itself post-independence. It really reminded me how easy it was to take the simplest things like having a roof over our heads, and basic essentials, for granted.
However, this experience also left something of a bittersweet feeling in me. She spoke at length about how she had devoted her whole life to grant her children essentials like education, freedom and conveniences that she never got to have as a child. Now, by her account, her children are undoubtedly successful. Yet I sensed a melancholic yearning for company that her children could ironically no longer provide, since they had their own careers and families to grapple with too. I sincerely hope that visits and interactions like the one I had, helped fill the hole in her heart in between visits from her own family.
Is it difficult to bridge the generational gap between young and old? (O Level 2023)
This is not an easy conversation question. You can explore the talking points below to get you started. My tip for you is to try to avoid being too combative in responses, through direct criticism and personal attacks.
| OK | AVOID |
| The elderly have grown up in different times, surrounded by opinions different from what we are used to. As such, they may hold views that may conflict with what we believe in, and vice versa. Connotation: The elderly grew up surrounded by opinions which differ greatly from we believe in today [avoiding assigning blame to the elderly] | “The elderly have neither caught up with the times nor tried to familiarise themselves with modern norms.” Connotation: The elderly have not put in the effort to understand what we believe in today [suggesting there is inaction] |
Some pointers:
| Point | Explanation/Example |
| The young and old all had different lived experiences – what worked in the past might not work today | Examples: finding a job – simpler process in the past vs more complicated processes today Job loyalty – In the past you stayed long for stability + pension; today layoffs are common and jobs are not coming with pension schemes. Some have also reported faster promotions from strategic job-hopping (so no quitting after 6 months, unfortunately) |
| Correlation is not causation; we need to establish whether there is a valid link between two observations “Just because two things move together does not mean one of them caused the other to move”Example: 100% of people who drink water will eventually die; therefore water is a slow-acting toxin?? | Older generations may be more conservative/religious and disagree on topics like LGBTQ+ issues, but does their disagreement mean they are devoid of moral character and love? |
| Is the generational gap really that big? What if it is being blown out of proportion? | Someone who is more receptive to “suggestion” about the generational gap may seek out such content online. |
In my view, bridging this gap involves the ability to empathise and see the other party’s perspective – no matter how caustic or abrasive it can get. Some friction is inevitable as the young and old all grew up with different challenges and circumstances that shaped the way they approach them. Take staying at a job for instance. Older generations believed in sticking with a single employer, often for decades. However, organisations today are much more volatile. News about layoffs or downsizing are commonplace; employees also describe quicker career progression and better pay raises by job-hopping rather than loyalty. Oftentimes, it is the ones whom we love that is able to hurt us the most. The difficulty in bridging this gap perhaps stems from how much we are able to look past this. There is no doubt that both young and old are looking out for others, but both sides need to exercise some discretion and consider the direct effects of their words.
In a way, this also highlights how damaging echo chambers can be. Labels such as Gen Z, Alpha, Millennial, Gen X and so on, have all become associated with their own set of sweeping generalisations and stereotypes – be it that younger generations are “less resilient”, or that older generations are “more conservative”. We need to be careful of falling into echo chambers that parrot stereotypes so often that we end up believing them as fact. Avenues such as social media have only helped to amplify these views further; we may even continually seek out such content which ironically fuels this self-reinforcing cycle. We should instead speak to our loved ones regularly, and keep an open mind even to opposing views. Who knows, we may find that our views may not be as diametrically opposed as the common rhetoric makes it out to be.
Theme 2: Outdoor activities and active lifestyles
Planned Response: Do you think there should be more open spaces like the one in the video? Why or why not? [Video showed a series of activities done by park users at various open spaces such as East Coast Park, such as cycling, camping, and group exercises]
Approach: Address the question directly. Do not sit on the fence and vacillate (switch repeatedly) between the two options! Consider the advantages (and disadvantages) of having such greenery in Singapore.
When you are planning, you can quickly scribble pointers like in the format below:
| Agree (Yes) | Disagree (No) |
| Provides valuable spaces for us to exercise and relax, leading to greater well-being Especially important as we have a shortage of accessible and varied third spaces to unwind | Singapore is already extremely short on space; land may be better served for other purposes like housing and schools |
| Provides much-needed change of scenery/opportunity for diverse landscapes matching our Garden City symbol | More public resources/expenditure is required to maintain these spaces and ensure their standard is acceptable (a lack of maintenance = safety hazards, overgrown nature etc) |
| Having open spaces reduces “urban heating” – where buildings and infrastructure absorb and hold sunlight[1] |
Singapore could certainly do with much more open spaces like this, as it provides a welcome respite from our usual “concrete jungle” surroundings. These open spaces help me step away from our devices and the stresses of daily life, such as studying, to take a deserved break alongside nature. This applies not just to us, but for the rest of the populace too. After all, these public spaces are where we can do various recreational activities, exercise, and relaxation as shown in the video, leading to better wellbeing from both physical and psychological standpoints.
Having these spaces also helps reduce one unlikely problem – noise pollution in densely-packed housing estates. The recent pickleball noise debate is one example. With insufficient open spaces for sports and other leisure activities, it is only natural to gravitate to the nearest one available, which may be in the middle of a housing estate. With more open spaces in places far away from estates, like along the coast, more people are able to enjoy their leisure activities, without inviting the ire of those those who seek ample, undisturbed rest after a long day or week.
Conversation – Theme 2
Singapore is a city in a garden. Do you agree it is important to have greenery in your environment? (O Level 2023)
Greenery is undoubtedly important for our environment in my view. Our “garden city” moniker is more than a unique sight for both locals and tourists alike; having greenery is known to have calming effects on us psychologically. It also provides public spaces for relaxing as well as leisure, an integral part for the well-being of any population. Coupled with a clean environment, it solidifies our reputation as a well-organised city perfect for tourists and even for conducting business through foreign investments.
In addition to the obvious benefits of greenery on biodiversity, another aspect we may not be aware of is how greenery helps regulate temperatures in Singapore. Tree shade, in addition to providing cover for us, also weakens the amount of sunlight absorbed by roads and pavements. Spacing out buildings with green spaces, aside from being aesthetically pleasing, also helps disperse heat faster. Green spaces passively reduce the urban heating effect and reduces the need for active cooling such as through air-conditioning, saving not just resources but also our utilities bill. Because of these reasons, I agree greenery is extremely important for our environment.
Do you agree that teenagers have enough time for recreation? (O Level 2024)
AGREE (that teenagers have no time)
I am hard-pressed to agree, as teenagers today have jam-packed schedules. I believe for most of us, academics and achievements are an absolute priority. This reflects in the numerous tuition classes, CCAs, and additional supplementary classes students go for, whether out of personal volition (choice) or forced to by their parents. Even after a jam-packed day, there is still the need to clear out homework and any leftover tasks. By this point, a teenager would likely head to bed after this, since they still require ample rest. It is already more common for us teenagers to sleep past midnight, rather than before. There is simply no time for leisure save/except for “doomscrolling” on phones for a short duration before bed.
DISAGREE
Personally, I disagree with this sentiment. There is no doubt that students have a significant workload, but I do not think it extends to a level that is absolutely crushing and draining us of time. Some students may be overloaded with work due to procrastination or shaky time management, resulting in their commitments snowballing. There are numerous examples of youth who despite their jam-packed schedule, are able to juggle other hobbies such as crafting accessories, or even taking part in volunteering activities. It is certainly easier to find a scapegoat for the problems we see in society, but we also must look inwards to see if we are not the ones digging the ground from beneath ourselves with our own hands. In my view, I feel that minimising distractions like excessive mindless phone scrolling or even learning to say no to certain things, go a longer way.
Theme 3: Wet Markets
Planned Response: Would you rather shop at a neighbourhood wet market or a supermarket? Why? [Video showed a row of stalls at a wet market, as well as shoppers frequenting the places]
For me, I would rather shop at a neighbourhood wet market. There are several practical benefits to me. The first is a larger variety and greater availability of fresh produce at the numerous stalls there. The produce is also fresher as they have been brought in on the same day. Additionally, I feel the prices are more economical than at a supermarket, as we have greater flexibility to buy only what we need. This is unlike a supermarket, which I feel favours those who make large shopping trips. I overall prefer wet markets as my household prefers to buy our produce fresh for same-day consumption.
Additionally, I feel there is a sense of community at a wet market that is not present at a supermarket. I have accompanied my mother to the wet market numerous times since I was a child, and have built friendships with the stall owners at the market over the years. At a wet market, I feel like I am purchasing produce from a neighbour or friend next door, not a robotic and soulless supermarket twenty minutes away. This is an experience that simply cannot be replicated at a supermarket anymore.
In a nutshell I would rather shop at a wet market. While a supermarket’s convenience cannot be denied, a mix of practical and emotional factors draw me to the former.
Conversation – Theme 3
Should wet markets be phased out and replaced with air-conditioned supermarkets and facilities? What are your views?
Answer 1: DISAGREE
Wet markets should not be replaced, as they provide an accessible way for any Singaporeans to purchase their produce. Supermarkets still fall short when it comes to offering fresh same-day produce, even the largest outlets. Wet markets, with their sheer number of stalls, are the only ones currently able to meet this demand. In addition, these wet markets tend to be closer to our homes, reducing the need to travel. The presence of many stalls also means that prices remain affordable, as stall owners need to ensure their produce remains competitively priced or lose out to a competitor. Also, I feel wet markets are overall a representation of Singaporean culture, unique to our shores. I recently saw a documentary about how we actually coined the term “wet market” as a global term. To phase out these wet markets would be akin to losing our history and heritage, and a part of our country’s history, as these places have served us for decades. Around the country, cultures and traditions like kampongs are already threatened or have faded into oblivion. We should be working to preserve what we still have before it’s too late.
Answer 2: AGREE
In my view, wet markets should be phased out. Wet markets pose health concerns since all produce is left out in the open. An example would be fishes, which attract houseflies after they have been left out for a while. Additionally, the nature of stalls clustered in cramped quarters not only leaves many “unreachable” corners for pests to multiply but comes with increased spread of disease too. Based on news reporting, the past COVID 19 epidemic was a drastic example, with a majority of its first documented patients having visited the same wet market.
Wet markets are also struggling to meet the changing lifestyles of Singaporeans. Many young Singaporeans are increasingly living in dual-income households, with lesser stay-at-home family members. This means they are out at work for most of the day. While not an issue by itself, wet markets often close early. It is not uncommon to see wet market stalls shuttered (closed) by noon. In my view, as demographics shift, we will see declining patronage of wet markets as families elect (choose) to eat out instead. A side effect of this is increased food waste from unsold produce. If a family still wishes to cook their own food, their only option is a supermarket, which are increasingly staying open round the clock too, providing greater convenience and flexibility for changing societal norms. While I do not think we need to immediately replace wet markets at this juncture, down the road, we will need to make this decision. From a practical standpoint, I feel replacing the wet market is the safer, as well as cost-effective, and least wasteful option.
Conversation 2: Technology such as self-checkout counters and online grocery platforms are hindering the social skills of today’s youth. Do you agree?
I agree as technology optimises for convenience and speed, which is designed with the very purpose of removing “inefficient” social interaction. This becomes a problem as technology becomes ever-integrated into our lives. Having a skill in my view is like a “muscle” – use it, or lose it. At places like a wet market, we hone our ability to stand our ground, negotiate, or even engaging in casual conversations. I watched a video of a “millennial” attempting to shop at a wet market. There is no doubt that with practice, he will get better with communicating clearly in such spaces. However, it is a reminder that social skills remain important. While it can also be honed at other places, such as through school presentations, interaction with friends and the like, we ultimately neglect one of the most important aspects – dealing with people we are less familiar with.
Missteps are undoubtedly embarrassing, and technology seems to be the answer on the surface. It removes rejection and actions that cause perceived embarrassment. However, it also strips us of the ability to learn and grow. Perhaps, the best way to create a more human society and rebuild our interpersonal skills is ironically to re-introduce the friction back into our lives.
[1] https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/telok-ayer-among-hottest-spots-in-s-pore-urban-heat-study
Important note: All discussion points are made solely for the purpose of language assessment and should not be considered as researched fact or material. Content is not for resale, redistribution, or reuse (including AI training).