Free resource · Primary 6 (PSLE)

PSLE Vocabulary List with Meanings (P6): Free PDF

SEAB does not publish a PSLE vocabulary list. Vocabulary is tested in PSLE English Paper 2 through 5 vocabulary multiple-choice questions, a 5-item vocabulary cloze and a 10-item editing section for spelling and grammar, and in the writing paper. This free list gives 200 Primary 6 words in 20 themed lists, each with a meaning and an example sentence, plus 60 practice questions in the PSLE format with answers, word partners, context clues and a term-by-term plan that finishes every list by the end of Term 3, before the PSLE written papers in late September.

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First page of the PSLE Vocabulary List (Primary 6) PDF

About this list

MOE does not publish a national spelling list, and each school sets its own weekly lists. This is TSS's own list for Primary 6, pitched to the level using the MOE English Language Syllabus 2020. Use it alongside your child's school list. Everything on this page, including the practice and answers, is in the free PDF from the button at the top, ready to print.

What the official documents say, and what this list is

Point	What it means for you
National spelling list	MOE does not publish a national spelling list. Schools set their own spelling lists, so the list your child brings home will be different from this one.
Your school's own list	Some schools post their weekly lists on the school website or class portal. Learn that list first, as the school test uses it.
Mother Tongue lists	Mother Tongue spelling lists, such as tingxie for Chinese, are set by schools too. This page covers English only.
MOE English Language Syllabus 2020	For P5 and P6, the syllabus asks pupils to apply spelling skills to frequently misspelled and multisyllabic words, and to build vocabulary by examining how words are formed, how they relate to one another and how they are used in context.
Foundation or Standard	In P5 and P6, English is taken at Foundation or Standard level, depending on P4 school exam results. This list is pitched at Standard English. A child taking Foundation English can start with the Primary 4 list and move up.
PSLE English	Spelling and vocabulary are assessed in Paper 1 (Writing) and Paper 2 (Language Use and Comprehension). The next section shows where.
This list	TSS's own 200 words for Primary 6, in 20 themed lists of 10 across Terms 1 to 3, so all of them are done before the PSLE written papers, plus 10 challenge words. Every word has a short meaning and an example sentence written by TSS. MOE and SEAB did not issue this list.

The list uses British spelling, such as colour, favourite and neighbour, as MOE's own syllabus documents do.

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Vocabulary and spelling in PSLE English

Paper 2 has 5 vocabulary multiple-choice questions, a 5-item vocabulary cloze and a 10-item editing section for spelling and grammar. The practice section gives 6 full rounds of the two vocabulary item types, 60 questions with answers.

Where vocabulary and spelling are tested in PSLE English (0001)

Paper and component	Item type	Items and marks
Paper 2, Booklet A: Vocabulary	Multiple choice	5 items, 5 marks
Paper 2, Booklet A: Vocabulary Cloze	Multiple choice	5 items, 5 marks
Paper 2, Booklet B: Editing for Spelling and Grammar	Open-ended	10 items, 10 marks
Paper 2, Booklet B: Comprehension Cloze	Open-ended	15 items, 15 marks
Paper 1: Situational Writing (14 marks) and Continuous Writing (36 marks)	Open-ended	Assessed on accurate and appropriate vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling

Weightings: Paper 1 (Writing) 25%, Paper 2 (Language Use and Comprehension) 45%, Paper 3 (Listening Comprehension) 10% and Paper 4 (Oral Communication) 20%, out of 200 marks. Paper 2 lasts 1 h 50 min and has 25 multiple-choice and 50 open-ended questions. Source: SEAB PSLE English Language syllabus 0001, implemented from the Year of Examination 2025.
SEAB does not publish a word list for these questions.

What each question type asks your child to do

Question type	What your child does	Practise it on this page
Vocabulary multiple choice	Reads a sentence and picks, from four options, the one closest in meaning to a given word.	Practice sets A, B, C, D, E and F, questions 1 to 5
Vocabulary cloze	Reads a short passage with blanks and picks the best of four words for each blank, using meaning, words that go together and grammar.	Practice sets A, B, C, D, E and F, blanks 1 to 5
Editing for spelling	Finds wrongly spelt words in a passage and writes them correctly.	The often misspelt words lists
Comprehension cloze	Fills each blank in a passage with one suitable word of their own.	Working out a new word from context
Writing	Uses exact, correctly spelt words in compositions and situational writing.	Using the words in a composition

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Term 1 words (lists 1 to 7)

70 words in 7 lists

70 words in 7 lists: character traits, feelings, ways of speaking, ways of moving, ways of looking, words with close or opposite meanings, words that often go together.

List 1: Character traits

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
meticulous	very careful about every small detail	The meticulous pupil checked her work three times.
conscientious	careful to do your work well and properly	The conscientious prefect never missed a duty.
impulsive	doing things suddenly without thinking first	The impulsive boy shouted out the answer before the question ended.
resilient	able to recover quickly after something difficult	The resilient team bounced back after losing the first match.
modest	not talking much about your own abilities	Despite her prize, she was modest about her talent.
inquisitive	eager to learn and ask questions	The inquisitive child asked how the lift worked.
tactful	careful not to upset people	Be tactful when you point out a friend's mistake.
obstinate	refusing to change your mind	The obstinate goat would not move off the path.
benevolent	kind and wanting to do good	The benevolent shop owner gave free meals to the elderly.
irresponsible	not thinking about the results of your actions	It was irresponsible to leave the gate open.

List 2: Feelings

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
apprehensive	worried that something bad may happen	She felt apprehensive before her first piano exam.
elated	extremely happy and excited	We were elated when we heard the good news.
dejected	sad and disappointed	The dejected players walked off the field.
exasperated	very annoyed by something you cannot change	The teacher was exasperated by the constant chatter.
mortified	extremely embarrassed	I was mortified when my phone rang during the concert.
bewildered	very confused	The tourist looked bewildered by the map.
contented	happy and satisfied	The baby looked contented after her feed.
resentful	angry because you were treated unfairly	He felt resentful when his brother got all the praise.
ecstatic	extremely happy	Mum was ecstatic when she won the lucky draw.
apologetic	showing that you are sorry	The waiter was apologetic about the late food.

List 3: Ways of speaking

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
bellow	to shout in a deep, loud voice	The coach bellowed instructions across the field.
mutter	to speak quietly, often to complain	He muttered something under his breath.
stutter	to repeat the first sounds of words when speaking	She stuttered as she gave her excuse.
interrupt	to stop someone while they are speaking	It is rude to interrupt your teacher.
declare	to say something firmly and clearly	The judge declared our class the winner.
protest	to say strongly that you disagree	The pupils protested against the new rule.
console	to comfort someone who is sad	I tried to console my friend after her loss.
reassure	to make someone feel less worried	The nurse reassured the frightened boy.
persuade	to make someone agree by giving good reasons	I persuaded Dad to let me join the camp.
scold	to speak angrily to someone who did something wrong	Mum scolded me for coming home late.

List 4: Ways of moving

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
saunter	to walk in a slow, relaxed way	He sauntered into class as if he had all day.
hobble	to walk with difficulty because of pain	Grandma hobbled to the door with her walking stick.
lurch	to move suddenly and unsteadily	The bus lurched forward and I grabbed the pole.
scurry	to move quickly with short steps	The mice scurried into the corner.
bolt	to run away suddenly	The frightened deer bolted into the trees.
pace	to walk up and down because you are worried	Dad paced the corridor outside the operating theatre.
sprawl	to sit or lie with your arms and legs spread out	He sprawled on the sofa after the match.
tumble	to fall over and roll	The toddler tumbled down the grassy slope.
swagger	to walk in a proud, showy way	The bully swaggered across the playground.
lumber	to move in a slow, heavy way	The bear lumbered towards the river.

List 5: Ways of looking

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
glance	to look quickly	She glanced at the clock.
scrutinise	to look at something very closely to find any mistakes	The judge scrutinised every cake before choosing the winner.
glare	to look at someone angrily	The librarian glared at the noisy boys.
peer	to look closely because it is hard to see	I peered through the foggy window.
gaze	to look steadily for a long time, often with wonder	We gazed at the stars.
squint	to look with your eyes partly closed	I squinted in the bright sunlight.
scan	to look over something quickly to find something	She scanned the crowd for her mother.
gape	to stare with your mouth open in surprise	The children gaped at the giant cake.
inspect	to look at something closely to check it	The officer inspected our bags.
survey	to look over a whole place or scene	From the hilltop, we surveyed the whole reservoir.

List 6: Words with close or opposite meanings

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
reluctant	not wanting to do something	He was reluctant to share his toys.
eager	wanting to do something very much	The eager pupils lined up early.
frugal	careful not to spend much money	My frugal grandmother reuses gift wrap.
stingy	not willing to share or spend money	The stingy man would not lend a single dollar.
abundant	more than enough	Fruit is abundant during the durian season.
scarce	not enough, hard to find	Water was scarce during the dry spell.
vivid	very bright and clear	She painted the sunset in vivid colours.
vague	not clear	His answer was too vague to help.
genuine	real, not fake	Is this a genuine diamond?
counterfeit	made to look like the real thing in order to trick people	The police seized a box of counterfeit watches.

List 7: Words that often go together

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
heed	to pay attention to advice or a warning	Heed the warning signs at the beach.
pose	to cause a problem or danger, or to ask a question	Loose wires pose a danger to young children.
deliver	to give a speech, or to take something to a place	The captain delivered a short speech.
bear	to accept something unpleasant	I could not bear the noise any longer.
seize	to take something quickly and firmly	She seized the chance to sing on stage.
reach	to arrive at a decision or a place	The committee reached a decision after an hour.
pay	to give attention, a visit or money	We paid a visit to our former teacher.
keep	to do what you said you would	Always keep your promises.
raise	to collect money, or to lift something up	The class raised money for charity.
burst	to suddenly start doing something	She burst into tears when she heard the news.

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Term 2 words (lists 8 to 14)

70 words in 7 lists

70 words in 7 lists: abstract nouns, formal words for situational writing, words often confused, community and society, environment and science, conflict and resolution, success and setbacks.

List 8: Abstract nouns

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
honesty	the quality of telling the truth	The teacher praised his honesty for owning up.
integrity	being honest and having strong principles	She showed integrity by returning the extra change.
empathy	understanding how someone else feels	Empathy helps us become better friends.
perseverance	continuing to try despite difficulty	Her perseverance paid off when she finally passed.
independence	being able to do things by yourself	Taking the bus alone gave me a sense of independence.
curiosity	a strong wish to know or learn something	Out of curiosity, I opened the box.
patience	the ability to wait calmly	Fishing takes a lot of patience.
confidence	belief in yourself	Practice gave her the confidence to speak.
humility	not thinking you are better than others	The champion spoke with humility.
compassion	concern for people who are suffering	The volunteers treated the patients with compassion.

List 9: Formal words for situational writing

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
commence	to begin	The ceremony will commence at nine o'clock.
conclude	to end	The talk concluded with a question and answer session.
purchase	to buy	You may purchase tickets at the counter.
require	to need	All participants require a signed consent form.
assistance	help	Please ask the staff for assistance.
attend	to be present at an event	Parents are invited to attend the concert.
regarding	about	I am writing regarding the lost umbrella.
convenient	easy and suitable for you	Please let me know a convenient time to meet.
recommend	to suggest that something is good	I recommend the science centre for the class outing.
acknowledge	to say that you have received something, or that something is true	The organiser acknowledged our email within a day.

List 10: Words often confused

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
affect	to change or influence something	Lack of sleep can affect your concentration.
effect	a result or change caused by something	The medicine had an immediate effect.
accept	to agree to take something	Please accept this small gift.
except	not including	Everyone came except Tom.
advice	a suggestion about what to do (a noun)	My teacher gave me good advice.
advise	to tell someone what you think they should do (a verb)	The doctor advised me to rest.
stationary	not moving	The car remained stationary at the red light.
stationery	paper, pens and other things for writing	I bought new stationery for the school year.
desert	a hot, dry area with very little rain	Camels can survive in the desert.
dessert	a sweet food eaten after a meal	We had ice cream for dessert.

List 11: Community and society

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
citizen	a person who belongs to a country	Every citizen can help keep our country clean.
harmony	living or working together peacefully	People of different races live in harmony here.
diverse	made up of many different kinds	Our class is diverse, with pupils from many backgrounds.
inclusive	including everyone	The playground is inclusive, with swings for wheelchair users.
vulnerable	easily hurt or harmed	Young children are vulnerable to the hot sun.
civic	to do with the duties of people in a town or country	Clearing your tray is an act of civic responsibility.
gracious	kind, polite and pleasant	The gracious host welcomed every guest.
neglect	to fail to take care of something	Do not neglect your pets.
cherish	to love and care for something deeply	I cherish the letters from my grandfather.
generation	people born around the same time	My grandparents' generation grew up without the internet.

List 12: Environment and science

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
conservation	protecting nature and wildlife	Conservation helps save endangered animals.
biodiversity	the variety of living things in a place	The rainforest has rich biodiversity.
renewable	able to be replaced naturally, like sunlight	Solar power is a renewable source of energy.
emission	gas or smoke sent into the air	Cars produce harmful emissions.
deforestation	the cutting down of forests	Deforestation destroys the homes of many animals.
contaminate	to make something dirty or harmful	Oil can contaminate the sea.
ecosystem	all the living things in an area and how they depend on each other	A pond is a small ecosystem.
phenomenon	something that happens and can be seen, often unusual	A rainbow is a natural phenomenon.
hypothesis	an idea that you test in an experiment	Our hypothesis was that salt water freezes more slowly.
accurate	correct and exact	Use a ruler to get an accurate measurement.

List 13: Conflict and resolution

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
confront	to face someone or something difficult	She decided to confront the bully.
provoke	to make someone angry on purpose	Do not provoke the dog.
retaliate	to hurt someone back after they hurt you	He wanted to retaliate but walked away instead.
reconcile	to become friends again after a quarrel	The two friends reconciled after a week.
mediate	to help two sides agree	The teacher mediated between the arguing boys.
hostile	unfriendly and angry	The hostile crowd booed the referee.
tension	a feeling of worry and strain	There was tension in the room before the results were announced.
grudge	a feeling of anger that lasts a long time	Do not hold a grudge against your friends.
forgiveness	the act of forgiving someone	He asked his sister for forgiveness.
negotiate	to talk to reach an agreement	The class negotiated a later deadline with the teacher.

List 14: Success and setbacks

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
triumph	a great success	Winning the gold was a triumph for the small school.
setback	a problem that slows your progress	The injury was a setback, but she kept training.
aspire	to hope to achieve something	He aspires to become a doctor.
excel	to be very good at something	She excels at drawing.
potential	ability that can be developed	Our coach saw potential in every player.
milestone	an important stage in progress	Learning to swim was a milestone for my brother.
diligence	steady, careful hard work	Her diligence earned her a place in the team.
mediocre	only average, not very good	The food was mediocre.
flourish	to grow or develop well	The plants flourished in the sunny corner.
relentless	not stopping or giving up	Their relentless practice paid off.

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Term 3 words (lists 15 to 20)

60 words in 6 lists

60 words in 6 lists: setting and atmosphere, often misspelt words, phrasal verbs, idioms, adverbs of manner, words for endings and reflection.

List 15: Setting and atmosphere

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
desolate	empty and lonely	The beach looked desolate in the storm.
tranquil	calm and peaceful	The lake was tranquil at dawn.
dilapidated	old and falling apart	The dilapidated hut had a leaking roof.
pristine	clean and new, as if never used	The new classroom was pristine.
deafening	extremely loud	The cheers in the stadium were deafening.
pitch-dark	completely dark	The corridor was pitch-dark after the power cut.
picturesque	pretty, like a painting	We stayed in a picturesque village by the sea.
sweltering	uncomfortably hot	It was a sweltering afternoon.
murky	dark and dirty, hard to see through	The murky water hid the bottom of the pond.
serene	calm and peaceful	Grandma's face looked serene as she slept.

List 16: Often misspelt words

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
conscience	the feeling inside you that tells you right from wrong	His conscience told him to return the money.
conscious	awake and aware	The patient was conscious after the fall.
mischief	naughty behaviour that is not serious	The twins are always getting into mischief.
rhythm	a regular, repeated beat	We clapped to the rhythm of the music.
privilege	a special right given to some people	It was a privilege to meet the author.
occurred	happened (the past of occur)	The accident occurred at noon.
receive	to get something that is given or sent	I was glad to receive your letter.
achievement	something you did successfully	Passing the swimming test was a great achievement.
exaggerate	to make something sound bigger or better than it is	He tends to exaggerate the size of the fish he catches.
unnecessary	not needed	Turn off unnecessary lights.

List 17: Phrasal verbs

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
put off	to delay something	We put off the picnic because of the rain.
look into	to find out about something	The principal will look into the complaint.
carry out	to do a task	The pupils carried out an experiment.
give in	to stop arguing and agree	After much begging, Mum gave in.
turn down	to say no to an offer	She turned down the invitation politely.
come across	to find something by chance	I came across an old photo in the drawer.
break out	to start suddenly, like a fire or a war	A fire broke out in the kitchen.
set off	to start a journey	We set off for the airport at dawn.
look up to	to admire someone	I look up to my older sister.
run out of	to have none left	We ran out of milk this morning.

List 18: Idioms

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
a piece of cake	something very easy	The spelling test was a piece of cake.
over the moon	very happy	She was over the moon about her results.
let the cat out of the bag	to tell a secret by mistake	He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
under the weather	feeling a little ill	I stayed home because I felt under the weather.
break the ice	to help people relax when they first meet	We played a game to break the ice on the first day.
hit the books	to study hard	I need to hit the books before the exam.
in hot water	in trouble	He was in hot water for breaking the window.
once in a blue moon	very rarely	We eat at that restaurant once in a blue moon.
cost an arm and a leg	to be very expensive	The new phone cost an arm and a leg.
keep an eye on	to watch carefully	Please keep an eye on your little brother.

List 19: Adverbs of manner

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
reluctantly	in an unwilling way	He reluctantly handed over his phone.
hastily	in a hurried way	She hastily scribbled a note.
frantically	in a wild, worried way	We searched frantically for the missing ring.
abruptly	suddenly and unexpectedly	The music stopped abruptly.
gingerly	very carefully, to avoid pain or damage	He gingerly touched the bruise.
fiercely	in a strong, angry way	The dog barked fiercely at the stranger.
sheepishly	in an embarrassed way	He grinned sheepishly when he was caught.
solemnly	in a serious way	The pupils stood solemnly for the anthem.
vigorously	with a lot of energy	Stir the mixture vigorously.
graciously	in a kind and polite way	She graciously accepted the award.

List 20: Words for endings and reflection

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
realisation	the moment you understand something	The realisation that I had hurt her made me feel awful.
invaluable	extremely useful	The camp taught me invaluable skills.
remorse	deep regret for something wrong you did	He felt deep remorse for his unkind words.
vow	to promise seriously	I vowed never to lie to my parents again.
determination	a strong will to do something	With determination, she finished the race.
transform	to change completely	The experience transformed the way I see my grandparents.
humbling	making you feel less important or proud	Losing to a younger player was a humbling experience.
thankful	feeling glad about something someone did	I am thankful for my teacher's patience.
hindsight	understanding a situation only after it has happened	In hindsight, I should have asked for help.
mature	behaving in a sensible, grown-up way	She handled the problem in a mature way.

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Words that go together, and how they are tested

Many vocabulary questions test which word goes with another. List 7 has the words. This table adds the pairs to learn and a sentence of the kind a vocabulary cloze might use, with the tested word in brackets.

Common word partners for List 7

Word	Goes with	Sentence with the word in brackets
heed	heed a warning, heed advice	Swimmers who did not (heed) the warning flags were caught by the strong current.
pose	pose a danger, pose a threat, pose a question	Fallen branches can (pose) a danger to cyclists.
deliver	deliver a speech, deliver a message	The head prefect (delivered) a short speech at assembly.
bear	cannot bear the pain, bear the noise	She could not (bear) the pain any longer and called for help.
seize	seize the chance, seize the opportunity	He (seized) the chance to try out for the team.
reach	reach a decision, reach an agreement	After an hour, the committee finally (reached) a decision.
pay	pay attention, pay a visit, pay a compliment	Please (pay) attention to the instructions.
keep	keep a promise, keep a secret, keep calm	A loyal friend will always (keep) a secret.
raise	raise money, raise awareness, raise a question	The class (raised) money for the animal shelter.
burst	burst into tears, burst out laughing	When she heard the news, she (burst) into tears.

In a vocabulary MCQ or cloze, the other options often mean nearly the same thing but do not go with the next word. You burst into tears, not explode into tears, and you pose a danger, not make one. Learn the pair, not only the word.

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Working out a new word from context

Your child will meet words that are not on any list. The rest of the sentence usually gives a clue. Teach these five kinds of clue, then use the steps when answering a cloze or multiple-choice question.

Five kinds of context clue, with worked examples

Clue	Example sentence	How the clue helps
Meaning given	The arid land, which gets almost no rain, could not grow rice.	The words after the comma explain it. Arid means very dry.
Same meaning nearby	Her room was tidy, and every shelf was orderly too.	Too links it to tidy. Orderly means neat.
Opposite meaning nearby	Unlike his boisterous brother, Ken was quiet and calm.	Unlike signals the opposite of quiet and calm. Boisterous means noisy and lively.
Examples given	Citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes and lemons, are sour and juicy.	The examples show what the group is. Citrus fruits are fruits like these.
Cause and effect	The soup was so scalding that Mei waited ten minutes before she could sip it.	She had to wait, so it must be very hot. Scalding means very hot.

Steps for a vocabulary cloze or multiple-choice question

Step	What to do
1	Read the whole sentence, and for a cloze the sentences before and after it, before looking at the options.
2	Say in your own words what kind of word should go in the blank: a feeling, an action or a thing.
3	Look for a clue word such as but, unlike, because, so or such as.
4	Try each option in the blank. Cross out any that do not fit the meaning, the grammar or the word that comes next.
5	Choose the best option and read the sentence again with it.

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Practice: vocabulary MCQ and vocabulary cloze

60 questions, answers under each set

TSS's own practice, using words from this list. There are 6 sets, 60 questions in all. Each set has 5 multiple-choice questions and a 5-blank cloze passage, the two vocabulary item types in Booklet A of PSLE English Paper 2. Read each cloze passage from top to bottom first. Cover the answer column while your child works, then go through the reasons together.

Set A, vocabulary MCQ: choose the option closest in meaning to the word in capitals

Question	Options
1. The RELUCTANT boy finally agreed to sing.	(1) not wanting to do it (2) too shy to do it (3) not able to do it (4) too nervous to do it
2. Water was SCARCE during the dry spell.	(1) costly to buy (2) hard to find (3) unsafe to drink (4) slow to arrive
3. She GLANCED at the clock before the test began.	(1) stared (2) looked quickly (3) peered closely (4) looked away
4. The lake was TRANQUIL at dawn.	(1) shallow (2) misty (3) calm and peaceful (4) chilly
5. He was BEWILDERED by the long instructions.	(1) confused (2) irritated (3) bored (4) discouraged

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No.	Answer
1	(1) not wanting to do it
2	(2) hard to find
3	(2) looked quickly
4	(3) calm and peaceful
5	(1) confused

Set A, vocabulary cloze: Sports Day. Choose the best word for each blank

Passage	Options
On Sports Day, Ravi felt (1) ______ as he waited at the starting line.	(1) apprehensive (2) contented (3) humble (4) frugal
He had trained for months, so he was (2) ______ to do well.	(1) reluctant (2) eager (3) stingy (4) vague
When the whistle blew, he (3) ______ forward.	(1) bolted (2) sauntered (3) hobbled (4) sprawled
Halfway round the track he tripped and fell, but with great (4) ______, he got up and finished the race.	(1) mischief (2) determination (3) tension (4) grudge
Although he came in last, the crowd cheered (5) ______ for him.	(1) sheepishly (2) vigorously (3) solemnly (4) gingerly

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No.	Answer and why
1	(1) apprehensive. He was worried about the race, not satisfied (contented).
2	(2) eager. After months of training, he wanted very much to do well.
3	(1) bolted. At the start of a race you run off suddenly, so he bolted.
4	(2) determination. Getting up to finish shows a strong will.
5	(2) vigorously. A crowd cheering for a brave runner cheers with a lot of energy.

Set B, vocabulary MCQ: choose the option closest in meaning to the word in capitals

Question	Options
1. The METICULOUS artist checked every brushstroke.	(1) skilful (2) very careful about every small detail (3) slow and patient (4) proud of his work
2. The crowd was ELATED when the team scored.	(1) relieved (2) astonished (3) extremely happy and excited (4) proud
3. The old man HOBBLED to the bus stop.	(1) shuffled quietly (2) walked with difficulty (3) strolled slowly (4) trudged wearily
4. Her answer was too VAGUE to be useful.	(1) brief (2) rude (3) unusual (4) not clear
5. The two friends RECONCILED a week after their quarrel.	(1) became friends again (2) apologised to the teacher (3) stopped talking (4) met by chance

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No.	Answer
1	(2) very careful about every small detail
2	(3) extremely happy and excited
3	(2) walked with difficulty
4	(4) not clear
5	(1) became friends again

Set B, vocabulary cloze: Leading the team. Choose the best word for each blank

Passage	Options
When Sara was chosen to lead the class project, she was (1) ______, as she had never led a team before.	(1) ecstatic (2) apprehensive (3) pristine (4) civic
Some members did not (2) ______ her instructions, and the project fell behind.	(1) pose (2) burst (3) heed (4) seize
Instead of giving up, she spoke to each member and listened to their ideas with (3) ______.	(1) patience (2) tension (3) mischief (4) emission
Slowly, the team began to work in (4) ______.	(1) grudge (2) hindsight (3) harmony (4) phenomenon
On the day of the presentation, their teacher praised them for their (5) ______.	(1) remorse (2) perseverance (3) counterfeit (4) neglect

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No.	Answer and why
1	(2) apprehensive. Never having led a team, she worried it might go badly.
2	(3) heed. You heed instructions or advice.
3	(1) patience. Listening calmly to everyone takes patience.
4	(3) harmony. Work in harmony means work together peacefully.
5	(2) perseverance. They kept going despite the early problems.

Set C, vocabulary MCQ: choose the option closest in meaning to the word in capitals

Question	Options
1. The INQUISITIVE child asked question after question.	(1) talkative (2) impatient (3) eager to learn and ask questions (4) intelligent
2. The nurse spoke gently to REASSURE the boy before his injection.	(1) distract (2) make him feel less worried (3) warn (4) praise
3. The village was DESOLATE after everyone had left.	(1) empty and lonely (2) damaged and dirty (3) quiet and peaceful (4) dark and cold
4. She is RESILIENT and bounces back quickly after a poor result.	(1) determined (2) cheerful (3) confident (4) able to recover quickly after a setback
5. Please ACKNOWLEDGE that you have received this letter.	(1) reply to (2) say that you have received (3) read through (4) sign

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No.	Answer
1	(3) eager to learn and ask questions
2	(2) make him feel less worried
3	(1) empty and lonely
4	(4) able to recover quickly after a setback
5	(2) say that you have received

Set C, vocabulary cloze: Sports Day is postponed. Choose the best word for each blank

Passage	Options
The haze had made the sky (1) ______ for days.	(1) serene (2) pristine (3) murky (4) tranquil
The school decided to (2) ______ Sports Day until the air was clean again.	(1) turn down (2) put off (3) look up to (4) give in
Daniel, who had trained hard for the relay, felt (3) ______.	(1) elated (2) ecstatic (3) contented (4) dejected
His coach reminded him that a (4) ______ is not the end.	(1) setback (2) milestone (3) triumph (4) privilege
He could still (5) ______ when the race was held later.	(1) provoke (2) retaliate (3) excel (4) neglect

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No.	Answer and why
1	(3) murky. Haze makes the sky dark, dirty and hard to see through.
2	(2) put off. To put off is to move something to a later time.
3	(4) dejected. He was sad and disappointed about the delay.
4	(1) setback. A delay is a problem that slows progress.
5	(3) excel. To excel is to do very well.

Set D, vocabulary MCQ: choose the option closest in meaning to the word in capitals

Question	Options
1. The STINGY shopkeeper would not give us a free bag.	(1) humble (2) not willing to share or spend money (3) unfriendly (4) careless
2. The children SCURRIED away when the bell rang.	(1) moved quickly with short steps (2) marched (3) strolled (4) tiptoed
3. The two groups were HOSTILE towards each other.	(1) jealous (2) suspicious (3) unfriendly and angry (4) nervous
4. Her story gave a VIVID picture of kampong life.	(1) detailed but dull (2) short and simple (3) sad and gloomy (4) very bright and clear
5. The old shophouse was DILAPIDATED.	(1) abandoned (2) old and falling apart (3) small and crowded (4) dusty

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No.	Answer
1	(2) not willing to share or spend money
2	(1) moved quickly with short steps
3	(3) unfriendly and angry
4	(4) very bright and clear
5	(2) old and falling apart

Set D, vocabulary cloze: A rescue at the pond. Choose the best word for each blank

Passage	Options
Mr Tan (1) ______ his daily walk at six every morning and finished it by seven.	(1) concluded (2) purchased (3) commenced (4) required
The park was (2) ______, with only the sound of birds.	(1) deafening (2) tranquil (3) counterfeit (4) dilapidated
Suddenly he heard a cry and saw a boy splashing (3) ______ in the pond.	(1) graciously (2) sheepishly (3) solemnly (4) frantically
Mr Tan pulled him out, and the boy's mother was deeply (4) ______.	(1) thankful (2) mediocre (3) impulsive (4) obstinate
He said anyone would have done the same, but the (5) ______ man was given an award by the town council.	(1) irresponsible (2) impulsive (3) resentful (4) modest

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No.	Answer and why
1	(3) commenced. He finished at seven, so six is when he began.
2	(2) tranquil. Only birdsong means it was calm and peaceful.
3	(4) frantically. A boy in trouble in water splashes in a wild, worried way.
4	(1) thankful. She was glad about what Mr Tan did.
5	(4) modest. Saying anyone would have done it is not talking about your own deed.

Set E, vocabulary MCQ: choose the option closest in meaning to the word in capitals

Question	Options
1. The OBSTINATE child refused to put on his shoes.	(1) refusing to change his mind (2) sulky (3) shy (4) badly behaved
2. The coach BELLOWED instructions across the field.	(1) muttered (2) explained (3) shouted in a deep, loud voice (4) repeated
3. Mr Lim is a BENEVOLENT man who gives free meals to the elderly.	(1) wealthy (2) kind and wanting to do good (3) humble (4) respected
4. Ali felt MORTIFIED when he tripped on stage in front of the whole school.	(1) frightened (2) annoyed (3) disappointed (4) extremely embarrassed
5. Oil from the ship could CONTAMINATE the sea.	(1) make it dirty or harmful (2) cover it (3) spread across it (4) drain into it

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No.	Answer
1	(1) refusing to change his mind
2	(3) shouted in a deep, loud voice
3	(2) kind and wanting to do good
4	(4) extremely embarrassed
5	(1) make it dirty or harmful

Set E, vocabulary cloze: The quarrel. Choose the best word for each blank

Passage	Options
Jia Hui and Mei Ling had not spoken for a week, and there was (1) ______ in the classroom.	(1) tension (2) harmony (3) integrity (4) empathy
Mei Ling still held a (2) ______ because Jia Hui had laughed at her drawing.	(1) vow (2) grudge (3) milestone (4) privilege
Their teacher offered to (3) ______ between them.	(1) provoke (2) retaliate (3) mediate (4) neglect
Jia Hui said sorry, and Mei Ling (4) ______ accepted her apology.	(1) fiercely (2) deafening (3) pristine (4) graciously
The two girls (5) ______ never to let a small joke spoil their friendship again.	(1) vowed (2) purchased (3) inspected (4) squinted

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No.	Answer and why
1	(1) tension. Two friends not speaking cause worry and strain.
2	(2) grudge. You hold a grudge, a feeling of anger that lasts.
3	(3) mediate. A teacher helps the two sides agree.
4	(4) graciously. Only an adverb fits, and accepting an apology is kind and polite.
5	(1) vowed. To vow is to promise seriously.

Set F, vocabulary MCQ: choose the option closest in meaning to the word in capitals

Question	Options
1. The IMPULSIVE boy shouted out the answer before the teacher had finished.	(1) eager (2) doing things suddenly without thinking first (3) rude (4) impatient
2. Rambutans are ABUNDANT at the market in the fruit season.	(1) more than enough (2) cheap (3) ripe (4) popular
3. The pupils MUTTERED about the extra homework.	(1) argued (2) joked (3) spoke quietly to complain (4) sighed
4. The new classroom was PRISTINE.	(1) spacious (2) bright (3) modern (4) clean and new, as if never used
5. Please do not NEGLECT your plants while I am away.	(1) overwater (2) fail to take care of (3) move (4) trim

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No.	Answer
1	(2) doing things suddenly without thinking first
2	(1) more than enough
3	(3) spoke quietly to complain
4	(4) clean and new, as if never used
5	(2) fail to take care of

Set F, vocabulary cloze: Holidays at Grandma's. Choose the best word for each blank

Passage	Options
We spent the holidays at Grandma's house in a (1) ______ village by the sea, as pretty as a postcard.	(1) deafening (2) picturesque (3) mediocre (4) vulnerable
The afternoons were (2) ______, so we stayed indoors until the sun went down.	(1) sweltering (2) pristine (3) frugal (4) genuine
Grandma, who is very (3) ______, reuses every jar and plastic bag.	(1) impulsive (2) resentful (3) frugal (4) ecstatic
She told us to (4) ______ the time we spend with family.	(1) provoke (2) contaminate (3) interrupt (4) cherish
That holiday (5) ______ the way I think about saving money.	(1) transformed (2) squinted (3) bellowed (4) swaggered

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No.	Answer and why
1	(2) picturesque. Pretty as a postcard means pretty, like a painting.
2	(1) sweltering. Staying out of the sun suggests it was uncomfortably hot.
3	(3) frugal. Reusing things to avoid spending is being frugal.
4	(4) cherish. To cherish is to love and care for something deeply.
5	(1) transformed. To transform is to change completely.

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Using the words in a composition

Knowing a word is not enough. Your child also needs to use it in writing. This worked example rewrites a plain paragraph with words from the lists.

From plain to precise: a worked example

Plain sentence	Better sentence	List words used
I was worried before the race.	I was apprehensive as I waited at the starting line.	apprehensive
I fell down.	Halfway round, I lurched forward and sprawled on the track.	lurch, sprawl
I was very sad.	For a moment I felt dejected, as all my training seemed wasted.	dejected
I got up and finished.	I was resilient. I picked myself up and hobbled to the finish line.	resilient, hobble
I learnt a lesson.	In hindsight, that setback taught me more than any medal could.	hindsight, setback

The better sentences use list words for feelings, movement and reflection. At PSLE, Paper 1 is assessed on accurate and appropriate vocabulary, so choose the word that fits exactly, not the longest word. One precise word is better than three fancy ones.

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Challenge words

For a child who already knows most of the 200 words. These are harder and suit strong writers.

10 challenge words

Word	Meaning	Example sentence
audacious	bold and willing to take risks	The audacious plan surprised everyone.
cordial	warm and friendly in a polite way	The visitors received a cordial welcome.
jubilant	full of joy because of a success	The jubilant team lifted the trophy.
lethargic	tired and lacking energy	The heat made everyone feel lethargic.
sombre	serious and sad	The mood at the memorial was sombre.
adamant	refusing to change your mind	She was adamant that she had locked the door.
candid	honest and direct	Thank you for your candid feedback.
frivolous	silly, not serious	He spent his savings on frivolous toys.
pensive	thinking deeply, often with a little sadness	She looked pensive as she gazed out of the window.
zealous	full of energy and enthusiasm for a cause	The zealous volunteers cleaned the whole beach.

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A P6 vocabulary plan, term by term

A plan for the Primary 6 year that uses every part of this page. All 20 lists are finished by the end of Term 3, because the PSLE English written papers come in late September, early in Term 4. The term dates and the latest PSLE dates are in the school terms section.

Term-by-term plan

When	Words	Practice
Term 1 (10 weeks)	Lists 1 to 7: character, feelings, speaking, moving, looking, close meanings, word partners. One list a week, then 3 weeks to catch up.	Practice set A. Use two new words in every composition. Start a notebook of words your child gets wrong.
Term 2 (10 weeks)	Lists 8 to 14: abstract nouns, formal words, confused words, community, environment, conflict, success. One list a week.	Practice sets B and C. Use the formal words in situational writing practice.
June holidays	No new lists. Revise lists 1 to 14 and the notebook.	Redo sets A to C without looking at the answers. Read a story or the news for 15 minutes a day and note new words.
Term 3 (10 weeks, orals in August)	Lists 15 to 20: setting, misspelt words, phrasal verbs, idioms, adverbs, endings. Finish list 20 by early August.	Practice sets D and E under time, about 6 minutes for each set of 10. Use the setting and feelings words when practising the Stimulus-based Conversation in the oral.
September holidays to the written papers	No new lists. Revise the notebook words, the confused words and the misspelt words, with short daily reviews.	Practice set F, then redo any set with a score below 8 out of 10.

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How to use this list

Each list has ten words, about right for one week. If a list is too much, split it over two weeks. A few minutes every day works better than one long session.

A weekly spelling routine you can run at home

Day	What to do	Time
Day 1	Read the list together. Say each word clearly, talk about what it means and read the example sentence aloud.	10 to 15 minutes
Day 2	Look, say, cover, write, check for every word (see the next table). Circle the tricky part of any word your child got wrong.	15 minutes
Day 3	Your child writes a new sentence for five of the words. Check the spelling and the meaning together.	15 minutes
Day 4	A practice test. Read each word in a random order, then read it in its sentence. Mark it together and redo any word that was wrong.	10 minutes
Day 5	Check only the words missed on Day 4. Add any word that is still wrong to next week's list.	5 to 10 minutes

Look, say, cover, write, check

Step	What your child does
Look	Look closely at the word. Notice its letters, any double letters and the tricky part.
Say	Say the word aloud, then spell it letter by letter. Break a long word into parts, for example "ac-com-mo-da-tion".
Cover	Cover the word with a hand or a card.
Write	Write the word from memory.
Check	Uncover the word and compare letter by letter. If it is wrong, start again from Look.

How school spelling tests often work

What to expect	What to do at home
The list usually comes home some days before the test.	Check the test day with your child or the teacher and start the routine early in the week.
Some tests read out single words. Others, often called dictation, read out a sentence or a short passage for your child to write in full.	Practise both. Read out a word on its own, then read out its example sentence for your child to write.
In a dictation, capital letters and punctuation may be checked as well as spelling.	Remind your child to start with a capital letter and end with a full stop.
Each school decides the format, the number of words and whether a test counts towards a mark.	Ask the teacher if you are unsure. Use the school list first and this list for extra practice.

Is this list the right level? A five-minute check

Result	What it means	What to do
9 or 10 right	The level is easy for your child.	Use the challenge words and read widely for new words.
5 to 8 right	The level is about right.	Work through the lists in order, one a week.
Fewer than 5 right	The level is too hard for now.	Start with the Primary 5 list, or split each list into two weeks of five words.

How to check: pick 10 words from different lists. Read each one aloud for your child to spell, then ask what it means. Count a word as right only if it is spelt correctly and the meaning is roughly right.

If your child finds spelling hard

What you notice	What to try
Most words are wrong every week.	Cut the list to five words a week and learn the school list first. Small wins build confidence.
Words are right on test day but forgotten a week later.	Keep a list of words still being learnt and test them again a week later, then a month later.
Letters come out in the wrong order.	Clap the syllables, write the word in parts, and write the tricky part in a different colour.
The spelling is right but the meaning is not known.	Ask your child to say a new sentence with the word before writing it.
Your child is upset by practice or avoids it.	Keep sessions to ten minutes, praise effort, and make it a game: spell words aloud in the car or on the way to school.
It is still hard after a whole term.	Talk to your child's English teacher, who sees your child's work every day and can suggest the next step in school.

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2027 school terms, PSLE dates and which lists to use

The lists run across Terms 1 to 3. The first table gives the 2027 term dates from MOE and the lists for each term. The second gives the latest PSLE English dates from SEAB, so you can count the weeks left. This section is the only part of this page that changes from year to year.

2027 school terms for Primary 6

Term	2027 dates	Lists	Holiday after
Term 1	Mon 4 Jan to Fri 12 Mar	Lists 1 to 7	13 to 21 Mar
Term 2	Mon 22 Mar to Fri 28 May	Lists 8 to 14	29 May to 27 Jun
Term 3	Mon 28 Jun to Fri 3 Sep	Lists 15 to 20	4 to 12 Sep
Term 4	Mon 13 Sep to Fri 19 Nov	No new lists. Revise for the PSLE written papers	20 Nov to 31 Dec

Primary 1 starts on Monday 4 January 2027. Primary 2 to 6 start on Tuesday 5 January 2027.
Source: MOE, School terms and holidays for 2027 (14 July 2026).

PSLE English dates (2026 timetable)

Paper	2026 date
Oral (Paper 4)	Wed 12 and Thu 13 Aug 2026
Listening Comprehension (Paper 3)	Tue 15 Sep 2026
Writing (Paper 1) and Language Use and Comprehension (Paper 2)	Thu 24 Sep 2026, morning

SEAB had not published the 2027 PSLE timetable when this page was checked on 12 November 2026. The 2026 English dates in this table show the usual pattern: orals in August, listening in mid-September and the written papers in late September. If 2027 follows that pattern, the written papers fall early in Term 4, which starts on Mon 13 Sep 2027. So the plan on this page finishes every list by the end of Term 3 on Fri 3 Sep 2027, and keeps the weeks after that for revision.
Source: SEAB, 2026 PSLE examination timetable (updated 13 February 2026).

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Download the free PDFPDF · 15 pages · A4 portrait · free, no sign-up

Inside the PDF

15 A4 pages, ready to print. Tap a page to open the PDF there.

Questions students ask

Is there an official PSLE vocabulary list?

No. SEAB publishes the PSLE English exam format, but no word list. Any suitable word can appear, so this list focuses on words that are useful in writing and in the vocabulary questions.

How many vocabulary questions are in PSLE English?

Paper 2 Booklet A has 5 vocabulary multiple-choice questions and 5 vocabulary cloze items, worth 10 marks together. Booklet B adds 10 editing items for spelling and grammar and a 15-item comprehension cloze.

When are the PSLE English papers?

SEAB sets the dates each year. In the 2026 timetable, the English oral was on Wed 12 and Thu 13 Aug, listening comprehension on Tue 15 Sep and Papers 1 and 2 on Thu 24 Sep. Plan to finish all the lists by the end of Term 3.

What is a vocabulary cloze in PSLE English?

It is a passage with blanks, and for each blank your child chooses the best word from the options given. In PSLE English (0001) it has 5 multiple-choice items worth 5 marks, in Booklet A of Paper 2. This page has 6 practice passages with answers and reasons.

How many spelling words should my child learn each week?

Each list here has 10 words, which suits one week. If your child finds that too many, split a list over two weeks and keep the daily practice short.

How is spelling tested in PSLE English?

Paper 2 has an Editing for Spelling and Grammar section with 10 items worth 10 marks. Paper 1 (Writing) is also assessed on accurate and appropriate vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Is this list for Foundation English too?

It is pitched at Standard English. In P5 and P6, English is taken at Foundation or Standard level depending on P4 school exam results. A pupil taking Foundation English may find the Primary 4 list a better place to start.

How should my child revise vocabulary across Primary 6?

Finish all 20 lists by the end of Term 3, about one a week, with one or two practice sets each term. The PSLE English written papers come in late September, early in Term 4, so the weeks from the September holidays are for revising only the words still being learnt. The plan section sets it out term by term.

Does this list use British or American spelling?

British spelling, such as colour, favourite and neighbour. MOE's own English syllabus documents use British spelling too, for example behaviour, organise and programme.

What if my child's school list has different words?

Learn the school list first, since the school test uses it. Then use this list for extra words, and use the meanings and example sentences to help your child use each word, not only spell it.

Keep revising

Source

The words, meanings, example sentences and practice items are our own. MOE does not publish a national spelling list. The syllabus, exam and term details come from the MOE, SEAB and school pages above, and if they differ, those pages are right. Tell us and we will fix it.

PSLE Vocabulary List with Meanings (P6): Free PDF

1 About this list

2 Vocabulary and spelling in PSLE English

3 Term 1 words (lists 1 to 7)

4 Term 2 words (lists 8 to 14)

5 Term 3 words (lists 15 to 20)

6 Words that go together, and how they are tested

7 Working out a new word from context

8 Practice: vocabulary MCQ and vocabulary cloze

9 Using the words in a composition

10 Challenge words

11 A P6 vocabulary plan, term by term

12 How to use this list

13 2027 school terms, PSLE dates and which lists to use

Inside the PDF

Questions students ask

Is there an official PSLE vocabulary list?

How many vocabulary questions are in PSLE English?

When are the PSLE English papers?

What is a vocabulary cloze in PSLE English?

How many spelling words should my child learn each week?

How is spelling tested in PSLE English?

Is this list for Foundation English too?

How should my child revise vocabulary across Primary 6?

Does this list use British or American spelling?

What if my child's school list has different words?

Keep revising

Source

About this list

Vocabulary and spelling in PSLE English

Term 1 words (lists 1 to 7)

Term 2 words (lists 8 to 14)

Term 3 words (lists 15 to 20)

Words that go together, and how they are tested

Working out a new word from context

Practice: vocabulary MCQ and vocabulary cloze

Using the words in a composition

Challenge words

A P6 vocabulary plan, term by term

How to use this list

2027 school terms, PSLE dates and which lists to use