August 22, 2026
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The second day of the 2026 PSLE English Oral Examination featured a photograph of people travelling on a crowded public bus.
Based on students’ recollections, the three questions were:
The topic focused on public transport and travelling around Singapore.
The questions progressed naturally from interpreting the photograph to sharing a personal preference and, finally, discussing Singapore’s transport system:
We give some “model answers” below that follow the PEEL format (Point, Elaborate, Example/Evidence, Link Back). But before checking the model answers, you can also try out the topic yourself with our AI Oral Examiner which has real-time speech conversation and a personalised feedback report to help students improve.
It’s helped hundreds of students to improve and there’s free credit for the first sign up as well to give it a try.
If you want to practice Composition and Situational Writing instead, you can use our AI Compo Grader to grade compos and Sit Writing instantly and get immediate feedback too.
Do you think the people on the bus are feeling comfortable? Why or why not?
Point: I do not think the people on the bus are feeling comfortable because the bus is extremely crowded.
Evidence/Example: In the photograph, many passengers are standing very close to one another, and there is hardly any room for them to move. An elderly woman is also standing while several young people are seated in the priority seats.
Explanation: The standing passengers may find it difficult to maintain their balance when the bus moves or stops suddenly. The elderly woman may feel particularly tired and uncomfortable because she is more likely to need a seat than the younger passengers.
Link: Overall, I think the crowded conditions are making the journey uncomfortable, especially for the elderly passenger.
I do not think the people on the bus are feeling comfortable because the bus is extremely crowded. In the photograph, many passengers are standing very close to one another, and there is hardly any room for them to move. An elderly woman is also standing while several young people are seated in the priority seats. The standing passengers may find it difficult to maintain their balance when the bus moves or stops suddenly. The elderly woman may feel particularly tired and uncomfortable because she is more likely to need a seat than the younger passengers. Overall, I think the crowded conditions are making the journey uncomfortable, especially for the elderly passenger.
What kind of transport do you prefer? Why?
Point: I prefer travelling by MRT because it is fast, convenient and reliable.
Explanation: There is an MRT station near my home, and I can use the train to travel to many places without being delayed by traffic congestion.
Evidence/Example: For example, when my family visits my grandparents, we usually take the MRT because we do not have to worry about finding a parking space. Although the train can be crowded during peak hours, the journey is usually smooth and does not take too long.
Link: Therefore, the MRT is my preferred form of transport because it allows me to travel around Singapore conveniently.
I prefer travelling by MRT because it is fast, convenient and reliable. There is an MRT station near my home, and I can use the train to travel to many places without being delayed by traffic congestion. For example, when my family visits my grandparents, we usually take the MRT because we do not have to worry about finding a parking space. Although the train can be crowded during peak hours, the journey is usually smooth and does not take too long. Therefore, the MRT is my preferred form of transport because it allows me to travel around Singapore conveniently.
Do you think it is easy to get around Singapore? Why or why not?
Point: In my opinion, it is easy to get around Singapore because we have a well-connected public transport system.
Explanation: Buses and MRT trains travel to most parts of Singapore, and many neighbourhoods have bus stops or MRT stations nearby.
Example/Evidence: For example, when my family visits a place that we have not been to before, we can use a transport application to find the nearest station and check which bus or train to take. The signs and announcements at MRT stations also make it easier for us to find our way. Although public transport can be crowded during peak hours, it is generally convenient, affordable and reliable.
Link: Therefore, I think most people can travel around Singapore easily, even if they do not own a car.
In my opinion, it is easy to get around Singapore because we have a well-connected public transport system. Buses and MRT trains travel to most parts of Singapore, and many neighbourhoods have bus stops or MRT stations nearby. For example, when my family visits a place that we have not been to before, we can use a transport application to find the nearest station and check which bus or train to take. The signs and announcements at MRT stations also make it easier for us to find our way. Although public transport can be crowded during peak hours, it is generally convenient, affordable and reliable. Therefore, I think most people can travel around Singapore easily, even if they do not own a car.
Disclaimer: The photograph shown in this article is not the actual examination stimulus. The questions and description of the photograph are based on students’ recollections and may not reflect the exact wording or details used in the examination.
