Primary 6 PSLE English Composition Quiz

Primary 6 PSLE English Quiz - Composition (Answer Key)

Total Marks: 50

Section A: Planning and Structure (Questions 1–5) [10 marks]

1. (B) Brainstorming and selecting a conflict or problem [2] Marking note: A narrative centres on a problem or conflict. Selecting this first ensures the story has direction. Do not accept (C) as vocabulary comes after planning.

2. (iii), (iv), (ii), (i) [2] Marking note: Introduction → Rising Action → Climax → Resolution. Award 1 mark if two consecutive stages are in the correct relative order, 2 marks for fully correct sequence.

3. The paragraph is weak because it uses simple, repetitive sentence structures (Subject-Verb-Object) and "tells" rather than "shows." It lacks descriptive details, sensory language, and a hook to engage the reader. [2] Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying simple/repetitive sentence structure or lack of detail; 1 mark for mentioning lack of engagement/hook or "telling" rather than "showing."

4. (C) Near the end, after the build-up of tension [2] Marking note: The climax is the peak of tension, occurring after rising action and before the resolution.

5. A complication is the problem or challenge that the characters face, which triggers the events of the story. A resolution is how the problem is solved or dealt with at the end of the story. [2] Marking note: Award 1 mark for a clear definition of complication (problem/conflict); 1 mark for a clear definition of resolution (solution/outcome).

Section B: Show, Don't Tell and Descriptive Techniques (Questions 6–10) [10 marks]

6. (B) John clenched his fists and his face turned red. [2] Marking note: (B) shows anger through physical actions and observable details. (A) and (C) just use stronger synonyms for "angry" (still telling). (D) tells the effect but lacks physical description.

7. Example answer: Mei Ling's hands trembled as she smoothed down her costume, and her heart thumped so loudly she was sure the audience could hear it. [2] Marking note: Award 2 marks for a response that uses physical actions/body reactions to show nervousness. Award 1 mark for a response that uses a stronger synonym but still "tells" (e.g., "Mei Ling was extremely anxious").

8. (B) The old house stood like a forgotten giant at the end of the road. [2] Marking note: (B) correctly compares the house to a giant using "like" and creates a vivid image. (A) incorrectly uses "like" with the idiom "cats and dogs." (C) is grammatically awkward. (D) is vague and does not describe a setting.

9. whir / hum / drone [2] Marking note: Accept any onomatopoeic word that accurately represents the sound of a ceiling fan (e.g., whir, hum, drone, clicking). Do not accept "noise" or "sound."

10. Example answer: Amin pulled the blanket tightly over his head, his eyes squeezed shut, while his body shook uncontrollably in the pitch-black room. [2] Marking note: Award 2 marks for showing fear through physical reactions/actions (trembling, hiding, wide eyes). Award 1 mark for partial showing (e.g., only mentioning one action).

Section C: Vocabulary for Composition and Word Choice (Questions 11–15) [10 marks]

11. (B) dug [2] Marking note: "Dug into" vividly conveys eagerness and speed, fitting the context of a hungry boy. "Reached" is too gentle; "went" is too vague.

12. trudged / shuffled / stumbled / limped [2] Marking note: Accept any verb that conveys a slow, heavy, or sad walking pace reflecting bad news. "Trudged" is best. Do not accept "ran" or "walked quickly" as they do not match the mood.

13. (C) Tears streamed down my face like a river [2] Marking note: This is a common cliché overused in PSLE compositions. The other options, while common, are more acceptable sensory descriptions rather than worn-out similes.

14. (C) eerie [2] Marking note: "Eerie" means strange and frightening, which fits an abandoned warehouse. "Cheerful" and "vibrant" are positive. "Bustling" implies activity, which contradicts "abandoned."

15. fled / dashed off / bolted [2] Marking note: Accept any single vivid verb or concise phrase that means "ran away very quickly." "Fled" is the most concise and powerful.

Section D: Grammar for Writing and Sentence Variation (Questions 16–20) [10 marks]

16. (C) Since the shop was closed, we decided to go home. [2] Marking note: (A) incorrectly uses "Although" with "but." (B) is a fragment. (D) is a run-on sentence (comma splice). (C) correctly subordinates the first clause.

17. Example answer: The exam was extremely difficult, but I tried my best to answer every question. [2] Marking note: Must use a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) with a comma. Award 2 marks for correct compound sentence. Award 1 mark if conjunction is used but punctuation is missing.

18. Error: "have" should be "has" (Subject-verb agreement: "Each" is singular). Corrected: Each of the students has submitted their composition on time. [2] Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying the error ("have" → "has"), 1 mark for the correctly rewritten sentence.

19. (B) Opening the door, I stepped inside and saw a mess. [2] Marking note: (B) uses a participial phrase ("Opening the door") to vary the sentence starter, combining ideas smoothly. (A) is choppy. (C) is awkwardly structured. (D) uses passive voice unnecessarily.

20. The team captain lifted the trophy proudly. [2] Marking note: The subject of the active verb must be "the team captain." Award 2 marks for the fully correct active sentence. Award 1 mark if the meaning is active but the word order is slightly awkward (e.g., "The team captain proudly lifted the trophy" is acceptable for full marks).