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Returning a Lost Wallet

Stimulus-based conversation practice · 3 questions · about 10 minutes

Returning a Lost Wallet — PSLE oral stimulus picture
Let your child look at the picture for 30 seconds before the first question.

The questions

Ask these in order. Wait five full seconds after each one before helping — the silence is where the thinking happens.

Q1 Describe the stimulus

Look at the picture. What is the student doing at the police post?

Look, name, and explain what you see — then add one detail nobody else would notice.

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Model answer

In the picture, a primary school student is at the counter of a neighbourhood police post, handing over a wallet to an officer. The officer is seated behind the counter and is reaching out to take it, and there are forms and a computer on the counter beside him. The student appears to have found the wallet and brought it in himself. What I also noticed is that he has come to the police post rather than simply leaving it where it was, which took extra effort on his part.

Why it scores

Describes the action, then highlights the choice the student made — which is the heart of the topic.

Show the answer frame instead
  1. Point to what you see"In the picture, I can see…" — name two or three specific things, not just one.
  2. Explain what is happening"It looks like… because…" — link what you see to why it is happening.
  3. Add one closer detail"What I also noticed is…" — this is what lifts a plain answer into a strong one.
Q2 Relate it to yourself

Tell me about a time you found something that did not belong to you.

Give a real example from your own life. Say what happened, then how you felt.

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Model answer

I once found a set of keys on the seat of a bus just as I was about to get off. I nearly left them there, thinking the owner would come back for them, but then I realised the bus was going to the interchange and the keys might travel far away. I gave them to the bus captain and told him where I had found them. I never found out whose they were, but I remember thinking how terrible it would be to reach home and realise you could not get in.

Why it scores

The near-miss of walking away makes it honest, and the closing thought shows genuine empathy.

Show the answer frame instead
  1. Set the scene"This reminds me of the time when…" — say when and where in one line.
  2. Say what you did"What I did was…" — one clear action, not a list.
  3. Say how it felt or what you learnt"After that, I felt… because…" — examiners are listening for this part.
Q3 Give your opinion

Some people say returning a lost item is not worth the trouble. Do you agree? Why?

Take a clear stand, give a reason, acknowledge the other side, then close.

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Model answer

I do not agree with that view. Returning something does take a little effort, but the person who lost it may be in real difficulty, especially if the wallet contains their identity card, bank cards and the money they need for the week. What feels like a small inconvenience to us can save someone hours of trouble and a great deal of worry. I understand that some people doubt whether the item will actually reach its owner, however I believe doing the right thing is worth it regardless of whether we ever hear the outcome.

Why it scores

Weighs the effort against the harm concretely, then answers the cynical objection with a firm principle.

Show the answer frame instead
  1. Take a clear stand"I feel that… / I agree that…" — never start with "maybe".
  2. Give your strongest reason"This is because…" — one solid reason beats three weak ones.
  3. Show you see the other side"I understand why some people feel that…, however…" — this shows maturity.
  4. Close it"That is why I believe…" — a proper ending, not a trailing off.

Useful phrases for this topic

Frames your child can use while answering these questions. Tap any phrase to copy it.

  • In the picture, I can see…
  • This shows consideration because…
  • I remember a time when…
  • In my neighbourhood…
  • If more people did this…
  • It costs us very little to…
  • What I also noticed is…
  • This reminds me of the time when…
  • I understand why some people feel that way, however…
  • That is why I believe…

Common mistakes on this kind of question

Missing what is wrong in the pictureLook for the one detail that shows consideration — or the lack of it.
Judging harshlyAssuming people are lazy or rude sounds less mature than considering why they behaved that way.
General advice with no example"People should be more gracious" needs a real moment from your own life to support it.
Answering in one line"Yes, I would." A full answer needs a reason and an example — aim for three or four sentences.
No reason givenEvery opinion needs a "because". Without it, the answer sounds like a guess.

Parent script — how to run this in 10 minutes

  1. Show the picture. Say nothing for 30 seconds.
  2. Ask Q1 exactly as written. Count to five in your head before you help.
  3. After the answer, ask "why?" once more. That single word usually doubles the answer.
  4. Repeat for the remaining questions.
  5. Finish with one thing that was good and one thing to try next time. Only one of each.
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