O Level Essay Questions from Previous Years

In our O Level English programme, we focus on making sure every student is fully prepared to ace the English Language examination. With the O Levels fast approaching, there’s no time to waste. Our programme is designed to sharpen essential skills like essay writing, comprehension accuracy, summary writing, and oral communication.

Our teachers are committed to helping students tackle the exam with confidence. Special attention is given to common essay topics, so students learn how to approach and write effectively under exam conditions. Every lesson is focused, practical, and aimed at helping students succeed.

To give our students a strong advantage, we’ve compiled a list of O Level English essay questions from past years, from 2024 all the way back to 2013. These questions offer valuable insight into the types of topics that often appear in the exam and help students practise with purpose.

Year 2024 – Essay Questions

1. Describe a special meal you enjoy with friends or family. As well as describing the food, explain where and when you have the meal and why it is important to you.
2. ‘We should all value time spent alone.’ How far would you agree?
3. ‘Social media does more harm than good.’ Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. Write about a time when you experienced a difficult but interesting journey.

Year 2023 – Essay Questions

1. What is your idea of a perfect afternoon? Describe what you like to do and how it makes you feel.
2. “As I looked back, I realised I had made the right decision.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
3. “Schools should teach practical skills such as cooking and managing our finances.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. “All you need to succeed in life is a positive attitude.” How far would you agree?

Year 2022 – Essay Questions

1. Some people enjoy being in a crowded place, while others prefer somewhere quieter with fewer people. Describe your perfect place when you want to relax.
2. “I realised that I was much stronger than I had previously thought.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
3. “Young people spend so much time thinking about the future that they forget to enjoy the present.” How far do you agree?
4. “People today are far too easily persuaded to spend money on things they don’t need.” Do you agree that advertising has made us wasteful?

Year 2021 – Essay Questions

1. Describe the sights and sounds of a shopping mall. Remember to describe the people too.
2. “I felt as though I was on top of the world.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
3. “Young people are making the world a better place.” What is your opinion?
4. “A happy person is a healthy person.” How far do you agree?

Year 2020 – Essay Questions

1. Describe ways to relax after you have been busy. Explain why it is enjoyable for you.
2. Write about a time when you did something to impress someone and regretted it.
3. Learning how to respond to mistakes is essential for success. What is your opinion?
4. ‘There’s no place like home.’ Is it true to you?

Year 2019 – Essay Questions

1. Which person has the most positive impact on your life? Describe the individual’s personality and in what ways he or she has influenced you.
2. “It was the proudest moment.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
3. Most young people today are obsessed with fame and imitating celebrities. What are your views?
4. ‘People can only be happy if they feel they are treated fairly.’ Do you agree?

Year 2018 – Essay Questions

1. Describe an event that you looked forward to which turned out to be disappointing. Explain why you were excited about it and why it didn’t live up to your expectations
2. ‘I had never seen my friend laugh so much!’ Write about a time when this happened.
3. Some people like to stand out from the crowd; others just want to be part of it. Which do you prefer and why?
4. Which modern invention is essential for you and your family and which one could you and your family live without? Explain your views.

Year 2017 – Essay Questions

1. Describe a place that means a great deal to you. Why is it so important?
2. Write about a time when you caused great disappointment to a person. What did you do about the situation?
3. It is often said that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money. What is your opinion?
4. ‘People should always tell the truth.’ Do you think there are any situations in which this might not be the best thing to do? Explain your views

Year 2016 – Essay Questions

1. Describe a childhood toy, or a game you played, which still means a great deal to you. Why is it so important?
2. Do you agree that we can learn from the mistakes of others or do we need to learn from our own experiences?
3. What are your ambitions for the future? Explain how you plan to achieve them, including any possible difficulties.
4. To what extent do you agree with the idea that some teenagers lead an unhealthy lifestyle? Give reasons for your views.

Year 2015 – Essay Questions

1. Describe the possession that matters most to you and explain why you would never be prepared to part with it.
2. ‘The world would be a very dull place without music’ What are your views?
3. ‘Shoppers have too much choice, from chocolate bars to jeans’ What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of having many things to choose from?
4. Do electronic devices, such as tablets or smart phones, help or hinder students in their studies?

Year 2014 – Essay Questions

1. Describe how you celebrated an important family occasion. Why will this event always remain in your memory?
2. Which features of Singapore and its citizens make it a major tourist attraction for people from all over the world?
3. Which person has the greatest influence on your life at the present time, and why?
4. ‘The best things in life are free’ Write about some of the occasions when you have found this to be true.

Year 2013 – Essay Questions

1. Parents often believe that it is better to be safe than sorry. Do you consider young people to be too protected?
2. Describe some of your experiences in food courts and hawker centers. How important are these places in your life as a teenager in Singapore?
3. ‘The way we dress reveals who we are’ What are your views?
4. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Why does it mean so much to you?

To support your child further, we recommend our book 12 Years of O Level Model Essays. This comprehensive resource features carefully curated essays from the past 12 years of ‘O’ levels, covering a wide range of essay types including expository, descriptive, argumentative, and discursive writing. Each model essay is written to meet examination standards, offering clear examples of strong structure, relevant content, and rich vocabulary that students can learn from.

For those who want more focused guidance, we welcome you to sign up for our O Level English Language classes. Our experienced teachers are here to support your child every step of the way, helping them write with clarity, purpose, and confidence.