Oral · Opinion questions
Opinion questions in the PSLE Oral: how to sound balanced, not unsure
“Do you think…?”, “Some people say…”, “What can we do…?” The last question in the conversation usually asks for a view on the wider world. Here is how to give one with confidence and balance.
On this page 7 sections
Key takeaways
- In both 2025 and 2026, candidates reported a wider opinion question near the end: Is Singapore orderly? Should children learn to cook? Do students have enough time to relax?
- There is no correct opinion. Marks come from a clear position, two developed reasons and a real example.
- Balance makes an answer more thoughtful, but it still needs a position. Three ways to show it: agree to an extent, “it depends on…”, or acknowledge the other side, then answer it.
- For “What can we do?” questions, give two practical suggestions, each with why it would help.
Four kinds of opinion question
The conversation usually widens as it goes: from the photo, to your child’s life, to people in general. The last question is often an opinion about the wider world, and it is the one where children most often run out of things to say.
Type 1 · Do you think…?
“Do you think children should learn how to cook?”
Needs: a clear yes, no or partly, then two reasons and an example.
Type 2 · Some people say…
“Some people say technology has made families spend less time together. Do you agree?”
Needs: your position on someone else’s claim. “Agree to some extent” is often the most thoughtful answer.
Type 3 · Why is it important…?
“Why do you think spending quality time with family is important?”
Needs: two different reasons, explained, not one reason said twice.
Type 4 · What can we do…?
“How can we better manage our screen time?”
Needs: two practical suggestions, each with why it would help, and an example of one in action.
Balanced, not on the fence
A balanced answer sounds mature. A fence-sitting answer sounds unsure. The difference is whether there is still a clear position. Here are three ways to show balance, all of which keep one:
- Agree to an extent. “Yes, I agree that technology has, to some extent, made families spend less time together.” The position is clear; the phrase shows thought.
- “It depends on…” “I think some students have enough time to relax, while others may not… It really depends on how well a student plans their time.” The position is that time management decides it.
- Acknowledge, then answer. “Of course, studying matters too. But even half an hour of play a day would help.” One sentence for the other side, then back to your view.
Tutor feedback: a Type 2 question, three levels
Practice question
Some people say technology has made families spend less time together. Do you agree? Why or why not?
From: our AI oral practice. The weaker and middle answers are illustrative, written by our tutors; the stronger answer is the app’s model answer.
Highlighted: earns creditUnderlined: loses marks
Yes. Everyone is always on their phone. Phones are bad.
- What works
- A clear position.
- What loses marks
- “Always” and “bad” are sweeping and unexplained. No reason is developed and there is no example.
- The one fix
- Replace the sweeping words with one specific reason: how does technology reduce family time?
Yes, I agree. Many people use their phones even when they are with their family, so they talk less. My brother plays games all the time. But technology is also good because we can video call our relatives. So yes and no.
- What works
- One reason that is explained, and an awareness of the other side.
- What loses marks
- “My brother plays games all the time” is a complaint, not an example. The other side is raised and then left hanging, and “yes and no” ends without a position.
- The one fix
- Decide: “to some extent”. Then give two reasons for your position and an example of what your family does about it.
- PPoint
Yes, I agree that technology has, to some extent, made families spend less time together. Here are my reasons why.
- EExplain · reason 1
Firstly, many people nowadays spend a lot of time on their phones or watching videos, even when they are with their family. This can reduce meaningful conversations, as family members may be too absorbed in their own screens to talk to one another. I have noticed that even during meals, some families do not talk much because everyone is looking at their phones.
- EExplain · reason 2
Secondly, technology has also made it easier for people to entertain themselves alone, which means they may not feel the need to spend time with family to have fun. This could slowly cause family members to grow more distant from one another over time.
- EExample
For example, my family has a rule where we are not allowed to use our phones during dinner time. At first, I found it a little difficult, but I soon realised that this rule allowed us to talk and connect more with one another. I feel very GRATEFUL for this rule now, as it has helped my family stay close despite our busy lives.
- LLink
All in all, while technology has its benefits, I believe it is important for families to set aside device-free time to stay connected with one another.
- How the balance works
- “To some extent” in the Point and “while technology has its benefits” in the Link frame the whole answer as balanced, but the position never wobbles. The Example is not a complaint; it shows a solution the family chose, which is far more mature.
- Make it your own
- If your family has no phone rule, any real habit works: a weekly outing, a family game, chatting in the car.
“What can we do?” questions
Suggestion questions need practical ideas, not opinions. The same PEEL shape works: two suggestions as the Explain steps, then an example of one working in real life.
Practice question
How can we better manage our screen time?
Type 4: suggestions.
- PPoint
There are several ways we can better manage our screen time. Here are some of them.
- EExplain · suggestion 1
Firstly, we can set specific time limits for using our devices each day, and use phone settings or apps that track and limit our screen time. This helps us become more aware of how much time we are actually spending on our phones.
- EExplain · suggestion 2
Secondly, we can also make a conscious effort to engage in alternative activities, such as reading, playing sports or spending time with family, instead of automatically reaching for our phones whenever we are free.
- EExample
For example, my family has started a habit of having a “no phone” rule during dinner time, where everyone places their phones aside and focuses on talking to one another instead. This has helped us spend more meaningful time together as a family, and I have noticed that I feel less reliant on my phone as a result.
- LLink
All in all, I believe setting clear limits and finding alternative activities can help us better manage our screen time.
- What to notice
- Each suggestion comes with why it would help (“become more aware…”, “instead of automatically reaching…”). A list of tips without reasons would be a much weaker answer.
Common mistakes, and how to spot them at home
| What you hear | What it usually means | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| “Yes and no.” Then nothing. | Fence-sitting. | “Which side wins for you? Start with that.” |
| “Always”, “never”, “everyone” | Sweeping claims that are easy to doubt. | Swap in “many”, “often”, “some”. |
| The same reason twice in different words | Only one real idea. | “Give me a reason about a different person: a parent, a teacher, an elderly person.” |
| A complaint about family or school | Venting instead of reasoning. | “What could be done about it?” Turn it into a solution. |
Try this at home: the other-side challenge
Try this at home · 10 minutes
Pick a side, then argue the other one
- 0:00Ask tonight’s question. Your child answers with PEEL and a clear position.
- 3:00Now ask them to give the best reason for the other side in one sentence.
- 5:00They answer the question again, this time including that sentence and then explaining why their side still wins.
- 8:00Listen for “to some extent”, “however” or “it depends on…”. Praise it when you hear it.
Tonight’s prompt
“Do you think primary school pupils should be allowed to have their own phones? Why or why not?”
Questions parents ask
Is it safer to always agree?
No. Examiners are not looking for a particular opinion. A well-supported “no” or “to some extent” is just as good as a “yes”, and often more interesting.
My child says “it depends” and then stops. Is that balanced?
Not yet. “It depends” is a good start only if your child then says what it depends on and explains both sides. Otherwise it sounds unsure. The model answers below show how to finish the thought.
Can my child use what they read in the news?
Yes, briefly. A news detail can support a reason, but the example should still be from your child’s own life where possible, because that is what makes the answer personal and believable.
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