✍️ Writing & Composition (作文)
Paper 1 tests your Chinese writing ability. You have 50 minutes to write a composition of about 120-150 words for Standard Chinese, or 80-100 words for Foundation Chinese. Good vocabulary, connectors and structure will help you score well.
🖼️ Picture Composition Framework (看图作文)
For picture composition, follow this proven structure to organize your story clearly:
开头 (Opening)
Set the scene: When (时间), Where (地点), Who (人物). E.g., "星期天的早上，小明和爸爸一起去巴刹买菜。"
经过 (Development)
Describe what happened based on the pictures. Add dialogue (对话), feelings (感受) and details (细节).
高潮 (Climax)
The most exciting or important part of the story. Add emotional reactions like 惊讶, 紧张, 感动.
结尾 (Ending)
Conclude with a lesson (启示), feeling or resolution. E.g., "从此以后，小明学会了..." or "这件事让我明白了..."
🔗 Essential Connectors (关联词语)
Using connectors makes your composition more structured and mature. Here are the must-know connectors for PSLE:
因为今天下雨，所以我搭地铁去学校。
Because it rained today, I took the MRT to school.
由于路上堵车，因此我们迟到了。
Due to the traffic jam, we were therefore late.
他之所以成绩好，是因为他每天温习。
The reason his grades are good is because he revises every day.
虽然小贩中心很热，但是食物非常好吃。
Although the hawker centre is hot, the food is very delicious.
即使考试很难，我也不会放弃。
Even if the exam is difficult, I will not give up.
我不是不想去，而是没有时间。
It is not that I do not want to go, but rather that I have no time.
与其搭巴士，不如搭地铁，比较快。
Rather than taking the bus, it is better to take the MRT; it is faster.
尽管天气炎热，他还是坚持去跑步。
Despite the hot weather, he still insisted on going for a run.
这道菜不但好吃，而且很便宜。
This dish is not only delicious, but also very affordable.
这个组屋区既方便又安全。
This HDB estate is both convenient and safe.
他不仅成绩优秀，还是学校篮球队的队长。
He not only has excellent grades, but is also the captain of the school basketball team.
华文越学越有趣。
The more I study Chinese, the more interesting it gets.
他高兴得连饭都忘了吃。
He was so happy that he even forgot to eat.
大人都觉得难，何况是小孩子呢？
Even adults find it difficult, let alone children.
如果下雨，我们就在组屋楼下玩。
If it rains, we will play at the void deck.
✨ Scoring Tips
Do This ✅
- ✓ Use at least 3-4 connectors
- ✓ Add 1-2 成语 naturally
- ✓ Include dialogue with 说/叫/问
- ✓ Describe feelings (心情)
- ✓ End with a lesson or reflection
Avoid This ❌
- ✗ Writing too little (under 100 words)
- ✗ No paragraphs (one giant block of text)
- ✗ Using 然后...然后...然后... repeatedly
- ✗ Skipping pictures in the sequence
- ✗ Wrong 的/地/得 usage
Which connector means 'although...but...' in Chinese?
🎯 Chapter Quiz: Writing Skills Practice (60 Questions)
Quick Check
Sentence Completion & Correct Usage Quiz
Showing 10 of 60 questions
0 answered · 0 correct
妈妈叫我______。
______，我们就不去公园玩了。
爸爸每天早上都去组屋楼下______。
弟弟哭了，因为______。
天气很热，我想______。
到了学校，我先去______。
哥哥在房间里______。
姐姐生日，我______。
我和家人去小贩中心吃饭，我______。
奶奶买了很多菜，我______。
50 questions remaining