O Levels

O Level Essay Questions from Previous Years

curiosg · May 8, 2025 · Leave a Comment

“With the O Levels fast approaching, our focused English programme ensures no time is wasted—students are equipped with proven strategies, real exam practice, and the support needed to succeed.”

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

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.
‘We should all value time spent alone.’ How far would you agree?
‘Social media does more harm than good.’ Do you agree? Why or why not?
Write about a time when you experienced a difficult but interesting journey.

Year 2023 – Essay Questions

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

Year 2022 – Essay Questions

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.
“I realised that I was much stronger than I had previously thought.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
“Young people spend so much time thinking about the future that they forget to enjoy the present.” How far do you agree?
“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

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

Year 2020 – Essay Questions

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

Year 2019 – Essay Questions

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.
“It was the proudest moment.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
Most young people today are obsessed with fame and imitating celebrities. What are your views?
‘People can only be happy if they feel they are treated fairly.’ Do you agree?

Year 2018 – Essay Questions

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
‘I had never seen my friend laugh so much!’ Write about a time when this happened.
Some people like to stand out from the crowd; others just want to be part of it. Which do you prefer and why?
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

Describe a place that means a great deal to you. Why is it so important?
Write about a time when you caused great disappointment to a person. What did you do about the situation?
It is often said that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money. What is your opinion?
‘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

Describe a childhood toy, or a game you played, which still means a great deal to you. Why is it so important?
Do you agree that we can learn from the mistakes of others or do we need to learn from our own experiences?
What are your ambitions for the future? Explain how you plan to achieve them, including any possible difficulties.
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

Describe the possession that matters most to you and explain why you would never be prepared to part with it.
‘The world would be a very dull place without music’ What are your views?
‘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?
Do electronic devices, such as tablets or smart phones, help or hinder students in their studies?

Year 2014 – Essay Questions

Describe how you celebrated an important family occasion. Why will this event always remain in your memory?
Which features of Singapore and its citizens make it a major tourist attraction for people from all over the world?
Which person has the greatest influence on your life at the present time, and why?
‘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

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

The Best O Level English Tutors in Singapore

Rebecca Samuel · June 21, 2024 · Leave a Comment

"Discover the best O level English tutors in Singapore at Curio, where expert guidance and proven strategies lead students to A grades and a brighter future."

If you are looking for the best O level English Tutors in Singapore, look no further, as you have arrived at the right place! Finding the right tutors to guide you along this journey will truly make a difference to your grade and your future. At Curio, we have spent many years understanding exactly how to nudge students towards an A grade, and we employ our strategies in an easy way for students to grasp.

#Strategy 1: Personalisation

We identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses prior to starting classes so that we can keep the focus on what students need to work on in order to improve. We provide drill and practise worksheets where necessary and work with students throughout the week – and not only during tutoring sessions – in order to help them with consistency. Many tuition centres only have contact with students once a week during classes. We have found that to be an ineffective way of communicating and working with students, especially when they can benefit from our expertise when they need it most, and not just during a designated time per week.

#Strategy 2: Excellent Curriculum Design

With our wealth of experience, we have an excellent curriculum which has been tested, tried and proven to work. Our lessons are beautifully designed in-house, ensuring that students at any grade level will be able to attempt them, gain confidence and eventually advance. Every lesson has elements incorporated which allow for students to feel both confident and challenged. If students struggle with the material, we dial it down until they pick up the basic skills required. If students find the material too easy, we challenge them to go further. Every student learns differently and with this type of flexibility in learning, they advance very quickly with us.

#Strategy 3: The Best Teachers in Singapore

Curio has had so many students get a distinction or improve their grades so dramatically that we are not embarrassed to tute our own horns! The reason our students do so well is because of the wealth of experience our teachers have. It is only through years of encountering all kinds of students, with their own individual quirks, learning styles and emotional makeup that our teachers have become this good at understanding young people. Our lessons can be fun and engaging. We sometimes have heartfelt conversations. Importantly, we know when to steer the lesson in a way that students are always learning, questioning and developing.

If you need more convincing, sign up for our classes here: Curio’s English O Level Programme and see for yourself! Give us a call or drop us a whatsapp at 8892 2948 if you would like to find out more! You can also email us here: [email protected]

Specially for Independent Learners

If your child falls into the category of students who fulfil the criteria below, we have a different strategy for you:

☐ No time for weekly tuition classes?

☐ No time to travel?

☐ Tuition too expensive?

☐ Prefer learning at your own pace?

Try our Independent: Marking & Feedback programme. There are no weekly classes and students will correspond with teachers via email/WhatsApp. Students will be assigned work to do, or they can ask about schoolwork which they need help with. Teachers will mark, advise and provide comprehensive and constructive feedback, all without the requirement for a tuition session!

If this way of learning sounds appealing to you, click on the ‘Independent’ section on our webpage where you will see ‘Apply Now’ and fill out our form. Feel free to drop us a whatsapp at 8892 2948 or an email to [email protected] if you have any questions!

The Joys of Learning Online

Rebecca Samuel · April 9, 2024 · Leave a Comment

"Students faced challenges adapting to online learning during the pandemic. Now, Home Based Learning (HBL) is common in Singapore schools, offering convenience and enjoyment."

A lot of students – especially younger ones – realised to some trepidation that they had no choice but to figure out how to navigate learning online when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Kids experienced everything from screen fatigue to technical difficulties, making an already challenging journey a tougher one all in all.

Post-pandemic, HBL – or home based learning – is now a regular affair in almost every school in Singapore. Worksheets and instructions are regularly uploaded onto online learning platforms, giving students no more room to say things like “I didn’t hear the instructions” or “I can’t find the worksheet”. The online learning world comes with a slew of benefits which now make learning not just convenient, but a joy to experience as well.

Everything is Easily Accessible

No matter where one is, all of a student’s work is easily accessible with a device and a wifi connection. Some students may find it easier to work from a cafe, in a study group with friends, or from a grandparent’s home. Having access to all of one’s learning materials in one place makes it incredibly easy to plan one’s study schedule. Not having to lug around files for four different subjects is a fantastic benefit of online learning.

Another advantage that comes with accessibility is being able to search for any material with ease. A physical file involves having to rifle through months of notes, sometimes from previous years. With the ease that comes with an online learning platform, students never have to worry about where to hunt for that one particular worksheet or set of notes that they need.

Every Message is Crystal Clear

Students often check with each other wondering whether a teacher asked them to complete one thing or another. In the tumult of school and constant influx of information, kids often forget or simply don’t hear something important.

With online learning, this issue goes out the window. Instructions on what to do, how to do and when to submit can be clearly spelt out on a learning platform, giving students little excuse to be forgetful. Teachers and students can also interact on a chatboard, clarifying, checking in and even providing feedback. The online medium has changed the way kids take in information, providing them with reinforcement and security.

This of course should not become an excuse to switch off during class. It is undeniably beneficial however, to have instructions spelt out clearly and not have to rely on just word of mouth.

Ever So Fun: Quizzes and Learning Tools

The internet is a rich source of information, knowledge and resources for learning. With online learning platforms, teachers can post videos, quizzes, links to additional notes and even recorded voice notes. With this plethora of resources and their availability online, teachers can easily curate learning materials for their students. Almost everyone remembers a teacher who droned on and on as our eyelids drooped. With a variety of learning tools, students will not need to be bored with learning ever again, and even the driest of topics will be rendered tolerable.

Everything is So Neat

Topics, sub-topics, worksheets, tests, additional notes, readings. These are often a mish-mash of papers, written notes or sometimes even a photograph of a whiteboard from school. With online platforms such as Google Classroom, one can search for a document or a piece of information with great ease, and without bothering to rifle through thick sets of notes filed months before.

In an English class, teachers and students will be able to organise Comprehensions, Essays and Visual Texts under separate headings, ensuring that they will be easily found when needed. Similarly for other subjects, worksheets, notes, quizzes and resources can be organised by topic, ensuring that students will always be able to find what they are looking for on short notice. This becomes incredibly useful during the exam period.

While it is still important to be able to have face to face sessions with teachers and fellow students, the convenience and effectiveness of online learning cannot be underestimated. The relief that comes from not having missed any instruction, the peace of mind from having neat notes and the wealth of resources accessible online go a long way towards helping students become the best learners that they can be.

If you are interested in online learning, try out one of our Curio tuition programmes today. Curio offers English Language and English Literature tuition for students offering the SEC, ‘O’ levels, ‘A’ levels and IP.

There are 3 plans to choose from, Independent, Huddle and Focus. Independent students will have a dedicated coach who will provide marking and feedback without weekly lessons. Huddle group students will meet a coach 1x a week for 1.5 hours online. They are comfortable learning in groups of 8. Focus group students will meet a coach 1x a week for 2 hours online. They are comfortable learning in groups of 5.

Practice Papers and consistent feedback are provided throughout the week for all students. Try us out today! English Language ‘O’ Level Programme.

How to Write Great Essays: ‘O’ Level Model Essays

Rebecca Samuel · June 27, 2023 · Leave a Comment

“Overcome the daunting task of essay writing and unleash your potential for success. Step-by-step guidance awaits you to ensure remarkable essays and excellent grades.”

Do you always find yourself stuck when writing an essay? Does the assignment appear to be too daunting to overcome? Fear not! You possess the ability to tackle this challenge head-on. Read on for step-by-step advice to assist you. Write amazing essays with good grades, always.

Brainstorming

First, let’s start by brainstorming. Generate a plethora of ideas by jotting down your thoughts on the subject. Afterwards, carefully review your brainstormed material. Continue from here and identify the most compelling idea. Ask yourself which ideas captivate you the most and which ideas you can write about naturally. Which ideas allow you to insert a personal touch? In addition, keep in mind the essay’s objective. Do your points you have brainstormed align with the answer to the question posed? If so, you’re ready to proceed.

Thesis Statement

Next, compose a powerful thesis statement. This sentence serves as the core concept of your essay. It expresses your thoughts on the subject matter. Once again, consider the essay’s objective. In addition, regard the thesis statement as part of your engaging introduction. This statement informs your reader about the essay’s content.

Topic Sentences

Now it’s time to outline the ideas that you will be using in your body paragraphs. With solid topic sentences in hand, you must reinforce your main idea with in-depth information, facts, thoughts, and examples. In addition, these supporting points address the question: “Why?” This stage may involve research and further brainstorming. Finally, arrange these points in a logical sequence, according to their significance. Congratulations! You now possess an outline for your essay.

Organisation

On your mark, get set, write! Follow your outline diligently, dedicating each paragraph to a supporting point. Utilise vivid and descriptive words to effectively convey your ideas to the reader. In addition, delve into the details, employing specific information to narrate your story or emphasise your viewpoint. Further, ensure that every element you include remains closely tied to the essay’s main idea, thereby maintaining focus. Finally, seamlessly connect your ideas using appropriate transition words to enhance the flow of your writing.

Conclusion

As you approach the conclusion, wrap it up with finesse. Summarise your entire essay and restate your main idea in a concise and impactful manner.

Proofread

The journey is not complete without proofreading and revising. Scrutinise your work for spelling, capitalisation, punctuation, and grammar errors. Further to this, seek opportunities to enhance clarity, comprehension, and engagement in your writing. Whenever possible, incorporate descriptive verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. Additionally, it is beneficial to have a fresh set of eyes review your work to catch any overlooked mistakes. Make the necessary corrections and modifications in a second draft. Repeat this revision process once more to ensure your final draft is of the highest quality possible.

Download Model Essays

Download these model essays and think about how you can cultivate your own voice and style in order to produce unique and original pieces. Remember to enjoy the process! If you need feedback on your essays, try out our Independent Marking & Feedback Plan here: https://curio.sg/programmes/english-language-o-level-programme/

O-Level-2014-Model-Essay_Greatest-Influence Download

O-Level-2015-Model-Essay_World-Dull-without-Music Download

O-Level-2013-Model-Essay_Young-People-Overprotected-1 Download

The ‘O’ Levels: How to Achieve Your Goals

Rebecca Samuel · April 6, 2023 · Leave a Comment

"Goal setting may appear to be a simple process. However, in order to be productive and effective, a goal must be specific and clear."

Achieving your goals of doing well for your O level examinations may not be as daunting as you think. There are steps you can take, and help that you can depend on. If you develop good habits and achieve consistency, there are hardly any limits to what you can achieve with your life!

Goal Setting

Take some time to sit down and really think through the goals you plan to achieve. It is often useful to start with the end in mind, e.g. planning on studying marine biology in a university overseas or getting into a JC of your choice. These are end goals that will help you to see the bigger picture, and keep you motivated. You can then set out individual goals for each of your subjects. Finally, work on the plan to attain each of these goals. It can involve reading one book a month to improve on your English or working on one question type for a particular topic every day for Math. Break down the steps to attain your bigger goals into very small, attainable goals.

Managing Expectations

Figure out which subjects you need more help for, and which ones you can handle by yourself. If you have been consistently failing or obtaining a C5/C6 in a subject, it is unrealistic to set a goal of getting an A1 by the next exam. Work your way up to a better grade slowly but surely. Remember, consistency is key.

Don’t compare yourself to others; focus on your own progress and improvement, setting realistic expectations that align with your abilities and efforts.

Honing Study Habits

Your study habits are the most important element of your exam preparation. Every student learns differently, so stick to what works for you. You might be a morning person or a night owl, someone who can only work with colour coded notes or with copious amounts of coffee. Try out any of the tips below:

Minimise or remove all distractions from your study space (this includes putting your phone on work/study mode or leaving it outside your room)
Take breaks – try out any interval that works for you e.g. 40 minutes study time with 10 minute breaks or 25 minutes study time with 5 minute breaks.
Study in a conducive space – ensure it is quiet, cool enough and distraction free.
Set a study goal for each session, and ensure that you meet it to the best of your ability. This will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Reward yourself! Rewards can be anything which give you a feeling of contentment and spur you on to keep studying!
Ask for help: Grinding away during study sessions without progress can be discouraging. Try out tuition sessions at https://curio.sg/programmes/
Study with a group of like-minded friends. You can keep each other motivated as well as help one another with more challenging topics.

Achieving your goals may seem like a daunting task, especially if there are subjects you are struggling with. Speak to your parents, teachers and tutors and get some tailor made advice. Start early and stick to a solid plan. You’ve got this.