Chapter 4 of 9

💬 Spoken Interaction

5 min+20 XP

After your Planned Response, the examiner will engage you in a discussion related to the video topic. This tests your ability to think on your feet, present opinions, and support them with examples. Think of it as a chill conversation with a friendly adult -- not an interrogation!

Active Listening

  • Focus on the examiner's question completely before formulating your response
  • Nod and maintain appropriate eye contact to show you are engaged
  • If a question has multiple parts, address each part systematically
  • Do not interrupt the examiner. Wait for them to finish before responding

Elaboration Techniques

  • Use the PEE method: Point, Example, Explanation for every response
  • Draw on personal experiences to make your points authentic and relatable
  • Reference Singapore-specific examples such as government policies, local events, or cultural practices
  • Connect your points to broader themes like society, values, or national development

Handling Difficult Questions

  • Buy thinking time with "That's an interesting point. Let me think about this for a moment."
  • If you do not know the answer, say "I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but I believe..."
  • Redirect to what you know: "While I cannot speak to that directly, in my experience..."
  • It is acceptable to change your mind: "Having considered your point, I now think that..."
O-Level Trap

Don't Just Agree or Disagree

✅ Strong interaction

  • ✓Develop your point with evidence or personal experience
  • ✓Consider different perspectives before giving your view
  • ✓Use phrases like "In my experience..." or "For instance..."

❌ Weak interaction

  • ✗One-word answers: "Yes" or "No"
  • ✗Repeating the examiner's question as your answer
  • ✗Saying "I don't know" without attempting to respond
🧠Quick Check

The examiner asks: 'Do you think social media is harmful for teenagers?' What's the BEST way to start your response?

A"Yes, I think so."
B"That's an interesting question. I believe social media has both benefits and drawbacks..."
C"I don't really use social media, so I don't know."
💬Key Takeaway
Treat the interaction like a conversation, not an interrogation. Develop your answers with PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link). Show you can see multiple perspectives.