Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

PSLE composition topics are becoming more diverse, with the latest PSLE English composition format (2015).  It has become almost impossible to guess the topic for PSLE.  However, some observers have commented that there could be a shift towards topics that display values.  That could be a reason why schools are dishing our such topics for students to write in class.

Enjoy this piece of composition written by one of our Primary 6 Writing Academy students. She has aptly developed the topic.

Overcoming A Problem

“Jane! Look who I brought home!” My father poked his head out from behind the door, flashing a broad grin.  My heart skipped a beat as I mouthed, “The dog?”  Nodding, my father pushed the door open, revealing a large German Shepherd.  I clasped my hands over my mouth and failed to hold back an ear-piercing shriek.  Sprinting into my room, I locked the door and covered the hole between it and the floor with duct tape.  I had had a phobia of dogs ever since I had been bitten by one badly on the face, leaving a huge and deep scar.  I had decided to stay in my room until the dog had gone for its walk with my father.

After what seemed like eternity, I heard the door creak and open.  “Finally! I can get out of here,” I thought.  Out of ecstasy, I threw open the door and punched the air with my fists.  At that moment, I felt something moist touching my foot.  To my shock, it was the dog!  I stood there, dumbfounded as if my feet were rooted to the ground.  When I regained my composure, I hollered, “Ahhh! It is the dog! Help! He wants to bite me! Get him away from me!”

My father was standing at the door, folding his arms and chuckling, “He is not going to eat you! Jane, don’t be such a wimp. Go on, touch him!”  Attempting to show a defiant face, I failed to do so due to my constant shivering and quivering.  Instead, I shouted, “Never! I will never touch that dirty thing!”  I picked up a tennis ball on the table and aimed at the dog but missed, causing the ball to roll across the living room.

The dog barked excitedly before trotting across the room to fetch the ball and bring it back to me.  My lips were about to part in a position to say “so cute”, but I resisted the urge, bit my lip and shouted, “Stupid dog! That was my favourite tennis ball and you just covered it with saliva! Yuck!” Unfortunately, the look on my face sold me out.  I was laughing, my eyes lit up and I started to pet the dog.  It was just so cute!

The following day, mustering my courage, I decided to follow my father when he took the dog out for a walk.  Brimming with enthusiasm, I opened the gate and joyfully skipped as I held my dog, which I had newly named, Muffin.  As I put one foot outside the gate, deep barks sounded from up ahead.  To my shock, there was a man whose dog leash had slipped out of his hand and his golden retriever was charging straight at us!  I let out a shriek of terror as I stood rooted to the ground.  Just at that moment, Muffin growled deeply and barred his teeth at the retriever, causing it to run back to its owner in fear of being attacked.  I regained my composure, beamed and praised Muffin.

That day, I had overcome my problem – my fear of dogs.

~ By Amanda Foo (Primary 6)

Click here to read more model compositions written by our students.

Author: BIG IDEAZ