Past Year O Level Paper 1 Questions (Pre-2012)

With the 2022 GCE O Level English paper approaching, it is most felicitous for us to share some of the past-year questions that have appeared in Paper 1 as they may be repeated in the 2022 paper in a slightly or more drastically modified form. We hope that these questions will serve our industrious students well as they try their hands at these questions!

NB: Pursuant to a syllabus change from 2013, 'one word essay questions' (ie, Question Five) are no longer examinable.

2006

1. Write about a time when your late arrival for a particular meeting or event led to serious trouble.

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?

2007

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

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

2008

1. The delights and frustrations of being a teenager

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?

2009

1. In the 21st century, how important is it to be able to read, write and speak English in Singapore?

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.

2010

1. What important lessons in life are learned away from school?

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

2011

1. “It is better never to borrow or lend money” What are your views on this advice?

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

2012

1. Write about an incident you still remember from your early childhood. Why do you think it has remained in your mind so clearly?

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