Singapore 2026 PSLE Chinese Oral Reading – The Lion and the Mouse

《狮子与老鼠》

一天，狮子捉到了一只老鼠。老鼠苦苦请求说：“狮子大哥，请放了我吧，将来我一定会报答你的！”

狮子感到好笑地说：“你走吧！一只小小的老鼠，还能帮我什么忙？”老鼠急急忙忙地跑了。

几天后，狮子掉进了猎人设的捕网，它急得又吼又跳。

老鼠听到了狮子的叫声,赶来安慰它:“狮子大哥, 让我来救你吧！”说着，它就用牙齿咬断绳子，救出了狮子。狮子非常感动，也感到十分难为情，因为想不到老鼠竟然救了它一命。

Read-Aloud Practical Techniques for "The Lion and the Mouse"

This passage is a fable with emotions like "begging," "mocking," "anxious," and "grateful." You need to use your voice to "act" these out.

1. Role-Playing: Two Different Characters

The lion and the mouse are different – your voice must change.

• Mouse’s voice (weak, scared, sincere):

  • Technique: Slightly higher pitch, softer, tone should sound anxious.

  • Example: "狮子大哥，请放了我吧，将来我一定会报答你的！"

    • Focus: Stress "请" and "一定" to sound sincere and urgent.

• Lion’s voice (proud, scornful, surprised):

  • Technique: Lower, louder voice to show king of the jungle.

  • Example: "你走吧！一只小小的老鼠，还能帮我什么忙？"

    • Focus: "你走吧" should sound impatient; "小小的" should go up in pitch to sound mocking.

    • Ending line: "狮子非常感动，也感到十分难为情"

    • Focus: Read slowly. "难为情" should be low and slow to show shame.

2. Master the Emotional Curve

• First part (opening): Neutral tone. Read "一天，狮子捉到了一只老鼠…" at normal speed.

• Second part (caught): Speed up, louder. Read "几天后，狮子掉进了…急得又吼又跳" with tension.

• Third part (saved): Emotional high. Read "老鼠听到了…赶来安慰他" with a gentle, steady voice.

• Ending (lesson):Read "狮子非常感动…想不到老鼠竟然救了它一命" slower and softer, showing realisation.

3. Master Pausing

• Punctuation is your breath guide:

  • Comma: Short pause (half a breath)

  • Full stop: Longer pause (one full breath)

  • Pay special attention: "狮子大哥，/请放了我吧，/将来/我一定会报答你的！" – Pause slightly after "将来" to make it clearer.

4. Pronunciation Tips

• Read verbs clearly: Words like "捉到," "咬断," "救出" should be crisp, not dragged out.

• Avoid "chanting": Many students unconsciously chant with rising tone. Keep your voice steady. Questions go up, statements go down.

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.