Mastering PSLE Science Answering Techniques: Tackling Relationship, Aim, and Explain Questions Using the Right Approach
The PSLE Science exam tests students' ability to understand and apply scientific concepts, making proper answering techniques crucial to scoring well. Among the most common open-ended question types in PSLE Science are relationship questions, aim questions, and explain questions. Each requires a specific approach to answer effectively.
In this blog, we’ll break down these question types, provide structured answering techniques, and use examples to guide you on how to craft high-scoring answers. For explain questions, we’ll also introduce the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) framework to create clear and well-supported responses.
1. What Are PSLE Science Relationship Questions?
Relationship questions in PSLE Science require students to explain the link between two variables, typically tested in topics such as heat, forces, or plant growth.
🔍 Answering Technique for Relationship Questions:
1. Identify the two variables (independent and dependent).
An independent variable is something you change, and a dependent variable is what happens because of that change.
Example:
Making Lemonade 🍋
Independent Variable (What You Change): The amount of sugar you add.
Dependent Variable (What Changes Because of It): How sweet the lemonade tastes.
2. State the relationship between the two variables clearly.
3. Use comparative terms such as “increase,” “decrease,” “directly proportional,” or “inversely proportional.”
🔹 Example Relationship Question:
A student conducted an experiment to study how the amount of sunlight affects plant growth. She placed the plants in different light conditions and measured their height after two weeks.
Question: What is the relationship between the amount of sunlight and the height of the plant?
✅ Answer Using Relationship Techniques:
"As the amount of sunlight increases, the height of the plant increases."
💡 Common Mistakes in Relationship Questions:
🚫 Providing vague answers like:
“The plant grows when water is added.”
“There is a change in growth.”
✅ Correct responses always use scientific terms and comparative expressions.
2. What Are PSLE Science Aim Questions?
Aim questions require students to identify the objective of an experiment. The answer should always focus on the variables being tested.
🔍 Answering Technique for Aim Questions:
Identify the independent variable (what is being changed).
Identify the dependent variable (what is being measured).
Use the format:
"To find out how [independent variable] affects [dependent variable]."
🔹 Example Aim Question:
John conducted an experiment. He placed the same amount of water in three different types of soil with the same plant and measured how much water was absorbed after one hour.
Question: What is the aim of the experiment?
✅ Answer Using Aim Techniques:
Independent variable (what is being changed): type of soil
Dependent variable (what is being measure): Water absorbed by the plant
"To find out how the type of soil affects the amount of water absorbed."
💡 Common Mistakes in Aim Questions:
🚫 Providing vague answers like:
"To test how much water the plant absorbs."
"To see what happens."
✅ Correct responses must always mention both the independent and dependent variables.
3. What Are PSLE Science Explain Questions?
Explain questions require a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and often test a student’s ability to connect theory with evidence. These questions often appear in topics such as forces, electricity, and heat transfer.
For explain questions, using the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) framework is a proven technique to structure responses clearly and logically.
🔍 Using the CER Framework to Answer Explain Questions:
Claim (C): Provide a direct answer to the question.
Evidence (E): Support your claim with evidence from the question or experiment.
Reasoning (R): Explain the scientific concept or principle behind the claim.
🔹 Example Explain Question:
Why does your finger feel hot after touching a boiling kettle
✅ Answer Using CER Framework:
Claim: The finger feels hot as heat flows into your finger.
Evidence: The kettle is hotter than the finger.
Reasoning: Heat flows from the hotter kettle to the colder finger. Temperature of finger increases and it feels hot.
💡 Common Mistakes in Explain Questions:
🚫 Providing incomplete responses, such as:
“The finger heats up.” (No evidence or reasoning)
“Because of heat.” (Lacks clarity and scientific reasoning)
Student most commonly miss out evidence from question, resulting in partial marks.
✅ Correct responses must always:
State the claim clearly.
Provide relevant evidence.
Include scientific reasoning.
Comparison of Techniques for Different Question Types
PSLE Science Question Type Techniques
Applying PSLE Science Answering Techniques to Common Topics
🔬 Example 1: Relationship Question on Heat
Question: How does increasing the flame size affect the rate at which water boils?
✅ Answer:
"As the flame size increases, the rate at which water boils increases because more heat is transferred to the water in a shorter amount of time."
🌱 Example 2: Aim Question on Plant Growth
Question: A student prepares 3 pots of plants with various amount of fertilisers. The student leaves the potted plants for 3 days before measuring the plants’ height. What is the aim of the experiment.
✅ Answer:
"To find out how the amount of fertilizer affects the height of the plant."
💡 Example 3: Explain Question on Forces (CER)
Question: Why does a parachute slow down a skydiver’s fall?
✅ Answer Using CER:
Claim: The parachute slows down the skydiver's fall.
Evidence: The parachute increases air resistance acting on the skydiver.
Reasoning: Increased air resistance opposes the force of gravity, reducing the skydiver's acceleration.
✅ Final Answer:
"The parachute slows down the skydiver's fall by increasing air resistance. This force opposes gravity, reducing the skydiver's acceleration and allowing a slower, controlled descent."
Final Thoughts: Mastering PSLE Science Answering Techniques
To excel in PSLE Science, students need to master structured answering techniques for relationship questions, aim questions, and explain questions.
For relationship questions, focus on identifying the two variables and clearly stating the connection.
For aim questions, always describe how the independent variable affects the dependent variable.
For explain questions, use the CER framework to structure your response with clear claims, evidence, and scientific reasoning.
By consistently practicing these techniques and applying them across various topics, your child will be better prepared to tackle PSLE Science confidently and score well in open-ended questions.
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