Singapore 2026 PSLE Chinese Oral Reading – Minghua Learns to Paint
This is a PSLE 2026 Chinese Oral Reading practice passage for Primary 6 in Singapore. The passage is about Ming Hua's journey in learning painting. During the reading, the key scoring point is the contrast in emotions. At the start, "花了一个早上却没画好" should be read with a sense of suppression and disappointment. Teacher Lin's lines must be read in a warm and firm tone, as though genuinely appreciating the work. When Ming Hua responds, his voice should brighten, conveying a spark of renewed confidence. At the end, "成为了画家" should be delivered more slowly and steadily, to bring across a sense of fulfillment and completeness.
《明华学画画》
明华喜欢画画，他希望将来成为一名画家，便决定向有名的画家林老师学画画。
一天，明华在林老师的家学画西瓜。他花了一个早上，却一直没有把西瓜画好。这时，林老师走来看了看，说道：“你画得很认真，只要继续努力，一定会画出更好的作品！”明华受到鼓励，充满自信地笑着说：“谢谢老师，我一定会加倍努力！”
从此以后，明华更加努力画画，后来终于成为了画家。
High Scoring Reading Aloud Techniques
- Capture three emotional turning points, use “voice colouring”
Opening (Minghua hasn’t drawn well): read with slightly slower pace, lowered intonation, bringing out frustration and effort. Put emphasis on “一直没有画好”.
Middle (Teacher Lin speaks): the teacher’s lines should be read gently, steadily, and with weight. “很认真” and “继续努力” should be slowed down and emphasised to show sincere encouragement, not casual remark.
Ending (Minghua’s response and outcome): Minghua’s laughter should be reflected in the voice—intonation goes up, pace slightly faster. “加倍努力” should be read firmly and strongly. Finally, “终于成为了画家” should be read in a relaxed, complete way, with a sense of relief and satisfaction.
- Specific reading techniques (three dos and three don’ts)
Do pause, don’t rush through: after “这时，林老师走来看了看”, pause slightly to create suspense for the evaluation. After “从此以后”, pause half a beat to show passage of time.
Do use stress, don’t read flatly: keywords like “一定”, “加倍”, “终于” should be read more clearly and strongly than the surrounding words, as they are the backbone of the story logic.
Do use conversational tone, don’t sound like reciting: Teacher Lin and Minghua’s dialogue should sound like real conversation. Teacher’s tone slower and lower; Minghua’s tone brighter and more lively.
- Most common mistakes that lose marks
Reading the whole passage at the same speed and volume (most regrettable).
Reading Teacher Lin’s encouragement like criticism (tone falling too much).
Ending “后来终于成为了画家” read too fast and too lightly, weakening the sense of achievement.
P6 Chinese PSLE Oral Exam Format (Total 50 marks)
Read-Aloud Passage (20 marks)
Read a ~200-word passage. Tests pronunciation, tone, speed, and expression.
Video Conversation (30 marks)
Answer questions based on a video and share your views.
Importance of Read-Aloud
Oral makes up about 25%-30% of total Chinese marks. The 20 marks for read-aloud are crucial.
This is the only section with preparation time (10 minutes). Doing well here helps secure marks and build confidence.
Reading flatly or with hesitation will cause clear mark loss and also affect your performance in the conversation section.
