Q&A - PSLE English

[cocacoco]

Synthesis qn,

Fadri found out that his wallet was not missing. He was relieved.

Much to ______________

Pls share the rule for better understanding.

[zac's mum]

Synthesis qn,

Fadri found out that his wallet was not missing. He was relieved.

Much to ______________

Pls share the rule for better understanding.

Much to his relief, Fadri found out that his wallet was not missing.

[cocacoco]

How about,

Much to Fadri's relief, he found out that his wallet was not missing.

Much to Fadri's relief, his wallet was not missing.

[zac's mum]

How about,

Much to Fadri's relief, he found out that his wallet was not missing.

Much to Fadri's relief, his wallet was not missing.

One of the English teachers mentioned to me before that the best answer is where the subject of the sentence can stand alone. See my answer above.

Your 1st alternative cannot stand alone because “he found out that his wallet was not missing” has no name.

Your 2nd alternative did not mention “found out”, so it’s wrong.

[SG_KP1]

How about,

Much to Fadri's relief, he found out that his wallet was not missing.

Much to Fadri's relief, his wallet was not missing.

One of the English teachers mentioned to me before that the best answer is where the subject of the sentence can stand alone. See my answer above.

Your 1st alternative cannot stand alone because “he found out that his wallet was not missing” has no name.

Your 2nd alternative did not mention “found out”, so it’s wrong.

I tend to agree with your mark up (in contrast to the book). My kids have mentioned put the proper noun with the main clause before (i.e. this is the better answer). There is probably some range of what is acceptable and I'm not sure exactly how this one is marked (SEAB wise).

[PlayfulFairy]

Hello,

May I know if lifting is allowed in PSLE? Or lifting only for certain questions ??
Thanks!

[PlayfulFairy]

Hello,

May I know if lifting is allowed in PSLE? Or lifting only for certain questions ??
Thanks!

[PlayfulFairy]

Hello,

May I know if lifting is allowed in PSLE? Or lifting only for certain questions ??
Thanks!

[D3@n]

How about,

Much to Fadri's relief, he found out that his wallet was not missing.

Much to Fadri's relief, his wallet was not missing.

One of the English teachers mentioned to me before that the best answer is where the subject of the sentence can stand alone. See my answer above.

Your 1st alternative cannot stand alone because “he found out that his wallet was not missing” has no name.

Your 2nd alternative did not mention “found out”, so it’s wrong.

I tend to agree with your mark up (in contrast to the book). My kids have mentioned put the proper noun with the main clause before (i.e. this is the better answer). There is probably some range of what is acceptable and I'm not sure exactly how this one is marked (SEAB wise).

The previous reply of the English teacher who mentioned that the best answer is where the subject of the sentence can stand alone is a weak answer because "He found out that his wallet was not missing." is a proper sentence (even though it does not have a Proper Noun) and can stand alone. "Much to Farid's relief" instead, is not a complete sentence.

So for such synthesis questions, I teach my students to go by semantics (meaning) and not syntax (structure).

We have to go with the semantics to get our answer.

Consider the two sentences.

1. Much to his relief, Farid found out that his wallet was not missing.

2. Much to Farid's relief, he found out that his wallet was not missing.

In (1), "his" can only be controlled by Farid, meaning that "his" can only refer to Farid and no one else.

In (2), "he" can refer to Farid, BUT "he" can also refer to Tom, Dick or Harry. So the control is not as tight as in (1).

Therefore, for the purpose of S&T, (1) is the acceptable answer and not (2).

Now consider these two sentences.

(3) Despite her efforts, Jane came in last.

(4) Despite Jane's effort, she came in last.

Likewise, in (3), "her" can ONLY refer to Jane.
Whereas in (4), "she" can refer to Jane, but also another girl.

In the case of S&T, (3) is the correct answer and not (4).

So whenever in doubt, construct both sentences and compare. The one where the pronoun (he/she/his/her) can ONLY refer to the Proper Noun (Farid/John/Rani/Mary) is the correct answer.

Hope this helps. And all the best for your child's PSLE!

[mystique_j]

May i know the following answer? Is it taught or teach? May I also know the rule?

From our previous encounters with the family, we saw that the parent often __________ the pups how to fish.