In our ‘O’ Level English Enrichment Programme, we ensure that our graduating students are ready to ace the English Language examination. It is a race against time to prepare for the ‘O’ Levels, hence our programme focuses on teaching and reinforcing our students’ essay writing skills, comprehension answer precision, summary writing and oral examination techniques. All W@W secondary teachers spare no effort in coaching our students how to tackle popular examination essay topics.
O-LEVEL PAST YEARS COMPOSITION QUESTIONS
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Some people enjoy being in a crowded place, while others prefer somewhere quieter with fewer people. Describe your perfect place when you want to relax. | 2022 |
| 2 | “I realised that I was much stronger than I had previously thought.” Write about a time when you felt like this. | |
| 3 | “Young people spend so much time thinking about the future that they forget to enjoy the present.” How far do you agree? | |
| 4 | “People today are far too easily persuaded to spend money on things they don’t need.” Do you agree that advertising has made us wasteful? |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe the sights and sounds of a shopping mall. Remember to describe the people too. | 2021 |
| 2 | “I felt as though I was on top of the world.” Write about a time when you felt like this. | |
| 3 | “Young people are making the world a better place.” What is your opinion? | |
| 4 | “A happy person is a healthy person.” How far do you agree? |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe ways to relax after you have been busy. Explain why it is enjoyable for you. | 2020 |
| 2 | Write about a time when you did something to impress someone and regretted it. | |
| 3 | Learning how to respond to mistakes is essential for success. What is your opinion? | |
| 4 | ‘There’s no place like home.’ Is it true to you? |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which person has the most positive impact on your life? Describe the individual’s personality and in what ways he or she has influenced you. | 2019 |
| 2 | “It was the proudest moment.” Write about a time when you felt like this. | |
| 3 | Most young people today are obsessed with fame and imitating celebrities. What are your views? | |
| 4 | ‘People can only be happy if they feel they are treated fairly.’ Do you agree? |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe an event that you looked forward to which turned out to be disappointing. Explain why you were excited about it and why it didn’t live up to your expectations | 2018 |
| 2 | I had never seen my friend laugh so much!’ Write about a time when this happened. | |
| 3 | Some people like to stand out from the crowd; others just want to be part of it. Which do you prefer and why? | |
| 4 | Which modern invention is essential for you and your family and which one could you and your family live without? Explain your views. |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe a place that means a great deal to you. Why is it so important? | 2017 |
| 2 | Write about a time when you caused great disappointment to a person. What did you do about the situation? | |
| 3 | It is often said that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money. What is your opinion? | |
| 4 | People should always tell the truth.’ Do you think there are any situations in which this might not be the best thing to do? Explain your views |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe a childhood toy, or a game you played, which still means a great deal to you. Why is it so important? | 2016 |
| 2 | Do you agree that we can learn from the mistakes of others or do we need to learn from our own experiences? | |
| 3 | What are your ambitions for the future? Explain how you plan to achieve them, including any possible difficulties. | |
| 4 | To what extent do you agree with the idea that some teenagers lead an unhealthy lifestyle? Give reasons for your views. |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe the possession that matters most to you and explain why you would never be prepared to part with it. | 2015 |
| 2 | The world would be a very dull place without music’ What are your views? | |
| 3 | Shoppers have too much choice, from chocolate bars to jeans’ What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of having many things to choose from? | |
| 4 | Do electronic devices, such as tablets or smart phones, help or hinder students in their studies? |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe how you celebrated an important family occasion. Why will this event always remain in your memory? | 2014 |
| 2 | Which features of Singapore and its citizens make it a major tourist attraction for people from all over the world? | |
| 3 | Which person has the greatest influence on your life at the present time, and why? | |
| 4 | The best things in life are free’ Write about some of the occasions when you have found this to be true. |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS – 1128 | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parents often believe that it is better to be safe than sorry. Do you consider young people to be too protected? | 2013 |
| 2 | Describe some of your experiences in food courts and hawker centers. How important are these places in your life as a teenager in Singapore? | |
| 3 | The way we dress reveals who we are’ What are your views? | |
| 4 | What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Why does it mean so much to you? |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Write about an incident you still remember from your early childhood. Why do you think it has remained in your mind so clearly? | 2012 |
| 2 | People all over the world are living longer. What are the advantages and disadvantages of their increased life expectancy? | |
| 3 | Describe an annual event which you enjoy and explain why it is so important to you. | |
| 4 | The use of motorcars is the greatest threat to the environment’ Do you agree? | |
| 5 | Fame |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “It is better never to borrow or lend money” What are your views on this advice? | 2011 |
| 2 | Write about an amusing incident on a day out with your family, which still makes you laugh whenever you remember it. | |
| 3 | Should boys and girls be given exactly the same type of education? | |
| 4 | Describe how a religious or national event is celebrated in your country | |
| 5 | Freedom |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What important lessons in life are learned away from school? | 2010 |
| 2 | Write about an occasion when it was necessary to tell the truth whatever the consequences | |
| 3 | Some people say that the internet does more harm than good. What is your view? | |
| 4 | Describe the location and the main features of your ideal home and explain why you think it would be an ideal place to live | |
| 5 | Leadership |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the 21st century, how important is it to be able to read, write and speak English in Singapore? | 2009 |
| 2 | I’m bored’ is so often the cry of teenagers today. What could be done about this? | |
| 3 | Write about an occasion when an attempt to help led to unexpected consequences for the helper. | |
| 4 | Power | |
| 5 | Write about some of your worries and hopes for the future |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The delights and frustrations of being a teenager | 2008 |
| 2 | Greed | |
| 3 | Write about an occasion when you just could not stop laughing at an inappropriate moment | |
| 4 | Television, newspapers and the Internet – which of these do young people prefer as a source of information, and why? | |
| 5 | In your opinion, what kind of voluntary work is worth doing, and why? |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | If you were drawing up a set of school rules for a new school, what would they be? Explain which of these you think are the most important | 2007 |
| 2 | Nowadays, people live longer than ever before. What problems does this present and how can these problems be dealt with? | |
| 3 | Write about someone who failed to live up to his or her reputation. | |
| 4 | Write about some of the things in your country you value the most and would miss greatly, if you had to live in another country | |
| 5 | Heroes |
| NO. | ESSAY QUESTIONS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Write about a time when your late arrival for a particular meeting or event led to serious trouble. | 2006 |
| 2 | Dreams | |
| 3 | What do you think secondary schools can do to ensure the health, well-being and safety of their students? | |
| 4 | Given the limited land available in Singapore, is it wise to set aside some areas as nature reserves? | |
| 5 | Do you feel that you need the long school vacation? How do you occupy your time during the December break, when schools are closed? |
HALL OF FAME
Janice glanced worriedly at her wrist watch. The time was already ten past seven. She had twenty minutes to make it to school on time. The sky was overcast. A slight drizzle rained down like a mist. It started raining cats and dogs as Janice reached the bus stop. She had ignored her mother’s advice to take an umbrella with her. She wondered how she was going to make itto school in the rain.
Jovan Ang, Primary 2
Rulang Primary School
HALL OF FAME
It was an idyllic Saturday morning. Fluffy white clouds hung in the clear cerulean sky. Granny Lucy was tottering to the market. Her heart was filled with light-hearted cheer and her mouth curled into a smile. She was looking forward to preparing a feast for her grandchildren, who were coming for dinner that night.
Kew Ling Wei, Primary 3
Raffles Girls’ Primary School
TESTIMONIALS
I am amazed at the depth of vocabulary my child has amassed since attending W@W. She has become a much more confident writer and can now write a full story with ease. She loves coming to lessons
Mr Calvin Tang
Parent of our Primary 3 student
