Boost PSLE Science Scores by Identifying Critical Keywords | Luminee Learning Singapore

When it comes to the PSLE Science paper, the Open-Ended Questions (OEQs) are where many students quietly lose marks — not because they don’t understand the topic, but because they don’t use the right words.

This is why we created the new PSLE Science Keywords Revision Booklet. It’s a powerful, practical tool designed to help your child answer with clarity, precision, and exam-worthy language. Using the correct keywords shows examiners that your child has both identified the right concept and expressed it in the language the mark scheme rewards.

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Why Keywords are Crucial

In Science, precision = marks.

Open-Ended Questions often require specific terms to be used to earn full credit. Students might have the right idea — but if they phrase it vaguely, they risk getting zero or only partial marks.

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Here’s why keywords are critical:

✅ Precision earns marks

For example, a student who writes "water disappeared" will not get the mark, while another who writes "evaporation of water occurred" will.

✅ Command words demand specific responses

“State” means a simple fact. “Explain” requires a cause-effect relationship — using words like because, so, or therefore.

Correct keyword usage shows that your child meets the command-word requirement. I.e. understanding both the concept and the question type.

✅ Examiners mark quickly

Markers scan answers quickly — seeing the correct keywords used immediately supports awarding the mark.

✅ Shows understanding, not guessing

Applying keywords to the right context demonstrates concept mastery.

✅ Avoids ambiguity

Scientific terms have clear definitions. Using the correct language ensures your child’s answer is clear, precise, and would not be misinterpreted.

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🔍 What Examiners Look For in OEQs

When grading open-ended answers, examiners are looking for:

• The correct scientific concept or term, expressed precisely
• Use of keywords that match the context of the question
• Appropriate depth of answer based on the command word (e.g. "state" vs "explain")
• Diagrams or labels (if required) using the correct terminology
• Clarity, conciseness, and correct units where relevant

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💬 Examples: Weak vs Strong Answers

❓ Q: Explain how adding salt to ice affects its rate of melting.

• Weak answer: "Salt causes ice to melt faster."
• → This gives the effect but doesn’t explain why it happens.
• Strong answer: "Since salt is an impurity, it lowers the melting point of ice, thereby causing ice to melt faster."
• ✅ Uses cause-effect and the keyword “melting point”

❓ Q: State one way in which the cactus adapts to dry conditions.

• Weak answer: "Cactus reduces water loss."
• → Vague — doesn’t specify the adaptation
• Strong answer: "Cactus has needle-like leaves to reduce exposed surface area for water loss via transpiration."
• ✅ Precise, uses specific terms like “needle-like leaves” and “transpiration”

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📘 About the Luminee PSLE Science Keywords Revision Booklet

This brand-new resource compiles all the essential keywords from every tested topic — grouped by theme and designed to train students to use them correctly and confidently in open-ended questions.

It helps your child:

• Build a bank of high-frequency PSLE science terms
• Recognise which topics and concepts each keyword is linked to
• Strengthen recall of the exact scientific language examiners award marks for

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📈 The Result?

Clearer answers. Fewer lost marks. More confidence walking into Paper 2.

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🎯 Don’t let vague answers cost your child precious marks.

📲 Explore the PSLE Science Keywords Revision Booklet on Luminee today.

👉 Help your Child Today!