What the examiner sees
Photograph description
The photograph shows a busy hawker centre in the evening. A family is sharing a meal at a round table with dishes like chicken rice, satay, and carrot cake. At the stall behind them, an elderly hawker is cooking over a large wok with flames rising. A sign on the stall shows it has been operating for over 40 years. Nearby, customers are queuing patiently.
Three questions the examiner might ask
What do you see in this photograph? What tells you this is a hawker centre?
Do you enjoy eating at hawker centres? What is your favourite hawker dish and why?
Singapore's hawker culture was recognised by UNESCO. Why do you think hawker centres are so special to Singaporeans? What can we do to keep this culture alive?
Q1 tests what you see in the photograph. Q2 tests a personal experience. Q3 tests your opinion — the hardest of the three since 2025.
A model opinion answer (P.E.E.L.)
Point
I believe Singapore's hawker culture is worth preserving because it brings people from all backgrounds together.
Explain
Hawker centres are one of the few places where you can find Chinese, Malay, and Indian food side by side at a price everyone can afford.
Example
For example, my family has had dinner every Friday at the same chicken rice stall for eight years, and my Malay neighbour eats at the stall next to us.
Link
So beyond the food, hawker centres are really social hubs — and that's why UNESCO recognised them as part of our heritage.
Swap in your own example — the structure stays the same. Examiners reward concrete detail over polished phrasing.
Common mistakes on this topic
- Saying 'culture is important' without explaining why. Examiners want specifics — a festival you joined, a dish you ate with family.
- Confusing 'culture' with 'country'. Singapore has many cultures; pick one and describe it.
- Skipping the personal experience question by giving a textbook answer. Share an actual memory.
Vocabulary that works for this topic
heritage— traditions and history passed down from the past
“Our hawker centres are an important part of Singapore's heritage.”
tradition— a custom followed by a group
“Reunion dinner is a tradition in my family.”
multicultural— made up of many cultures
“Singapore is a multicultural country.”
preserve— to keep something the way it is
“We should preserve our old shophouses.”
perform— to do something in front of an audience
“The students performed a traditional dance.”
celebrate— to mark a special event
“We celebrate Hari Raya with our Malay neighbours.”
For parents
Pull out an old family photo — a wedding, a festival, a grandparents' kampong photo — and ask your child to describe it in 60 seconds. That's exactly the muscle the SBC Q1 tests.
Practise this topic now
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