X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

'Difficult' PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

23 Aug, 2020
'Difficult' PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled'Difficult' PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

If there's one thing about Singaporeans, it's that we love a good challenge. 

If there’s one thing about Singaporeans, it’s that we love a good challenge. 

A Chinese oral passage has been making its rounds on the internet as of late, presenting the perfect opportunity to do so.

Taking to a Facebook post (19 Aug), Joseph Kwa shared of what seems like a photocopy of a PSLE-level Chinese oral passage from an assessment book. 

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab/Joseph Kwa

Kwa stated that he attempted the “Primary 6 oral exam” and that his Chinese is “西北好” (translates to sibei good in Hokkien, or very good in English). 

All was implied sarcastically of course, as Kwa said he found the passage incredibly difficult. And in particular, a saying by renowned scientist Benjamin Franklin: 今日事今日毕 (never put off until tomorrow what you can do today).

Here is a clearer view of the passage, if you (or your child) would like to attempt to read aloud:

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Difficulty of PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage leaves netizens divided. | Image source: Facebook/Joseph Kwa

A Facebook user, Eugune Lim, has also kindly included the English translation in the comments to help readers understand the context of the story:

The passage essentially centres on Benjamin Franklin and his maxim, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”

It tells the story of a farmer who greatly admired Franklin, and thus decided to pay him a visit.
 
Before leaving, the farmer requests some words of wisdom from Franklin.
 
The latter bestows upon him the phrase, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
 
Upon returning home, the farmer discovers that his family has harvested the wheat for the day, although the loot has yet to be kept in the house.
 
His family says, “We’ve been working for more than 10 hours, and we’re very tired.”
 
Recalling what Franklin told him, the farmer repeats the maxim to his family.
 
The same night, a thunderstorm visits.
 
The farmer is glad that they have harvested the wheat.

The difficulty of PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage: A Mix of Sentiments

Kwa’s post has since gone viral with over 1,500 shares as of the time of writing.

Many flocked to the comments section to tag their family and friends in a bid to test their proficiency in Mandarin—and in the name of good fun. 

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab

It proved to be tricky for many, with some struggling to even get past the first three words from the passage.

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab

Others managed to breeze through it, however.

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab

Partner Stories
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort
What parents can learn from the Boston bombings
What parents can learn from the Boston bombings
The brainy bunch - 6 siblings begin college by age 12!
The brainy bunch - 6 siblings begin college by age 12!
Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab

The assessment also brought about chuckles, as it enabled Facebook users such as Sufenia, to affirm that her Chinese “isn’t so bad after all”.

Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Image source: Facebook screengrab

You can view Kwa’s full post here:
 

Lead image source: Facebook/Joseph Kwa, Facebook/MOE
 
ALSO READ:
 
Primary 1 Girl Answers To Math Question Sparks Heated Debate Online On Creativity
 
9 Best Chinese Cartoons for Kids to Enjoy Learning Mandarin
 
Trilingual at 3: My Daughter Speaks Mandarin, English and Bahasa Fluently. Here’s How We Did It
 
Difficult PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jia Ling

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • 'Difficult' PSLE-level Chinese Oral Passage Leaves Netizens Puzzled
Share:
  • PSLE Chinese Exam: 10 Tips For Getting More Marks!

    PSLE Chinese Exam: 10 Tips For Getting More Marks!

  • Must-know Information About Oral Thrush in Babies

    Must-know Information About Oral Thrush in Babies

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

app info
get app banner
  • PSLE Chinese Exam: 10 Tips For Getting More Marks!

    PSLE Chinese Exam: 10 Tips For Getting More Marks!

  • Must-know Information About Oral Thrush in Babies

    Must-know Information About Oral Thrush in Babies

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.