A strong Primary 6 English vocabulary list should do more than give pupils twenty words to memorise before PSLE. Vocabulary supports comprehension, vocabulary cloze, writing, oral communication and the ability to understand literal, inferential and evaluative meaning in context. Parents searching for a PSLE vocabulary list, Primary 6 English vocabulary, vocabulary worksheet or English tuition in Yishun usually need the same thing: words that pupils can recognise, explain and actually use.
This page preserves the original 21-word list drawn from our 2019 Primary 6 Henry Park SA2 vocabulary practice and expands it into a more useful learning guide. The historical list remains intact. What changes is the learning job around it: meaning, context, collocation, sentence use, word family, retrieval and idiom awareness.
The current PSLE English framework continues to assess vocabulary, grammar and comprehension in context, while writing and oral communication require pupils to choose language appropriate to purpose, audience and situation. A vocabulary list therefore works best as a launch pad rather than an endpoint. Families can check the current English Language syllabus through the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board.
How to Learn Vocabulary So It Stays Usable
- Meaning: explain the word in simple English.
- Context: notice the surrounding clues that show which meaning is intended.
- Collocation: learn the words that commonly sit beside it.
- Word family: connect related forms where useful.
- Sentence: use the word in a natural sentence.
- Retrieval: return to the word later without looking at the answer.
The Original 21-Word Vocabulary List, Preserved and Expanded
1. ambition
Meaning: a strong desire to achieve something. Useful collocations: fulfil an ambition, lifelong ambition, personal ambition. Example: Her ambition was to become an engineer who designed safer bridges.
2. glanced
Meaning: looked quickly or briefly. Useful collocations: glanced at, glanced around, glanced down. Example: Amir glanced at the clock and realised that only five minutes remained.
3. astronomer
Meaning: a scientist who studies stars, planets and other objects in space. Word family: astronomy, astronomical. Example: The astronomer studied images collected by the telescope.
4. tycoon
Meaning: a wealthy and powerful person in business or industry. Example: The media tycoon owned several newspapers and broadcasting companies.
5. full-length
Meaning: complete in length or showing the whole body from head to toe. Examples: a full-length film, a full-length mirror, a full-length portrait.
6. original
Meaning: new, independent or first rather than copied. Word family: originality, originally. Example: The judges praised the student for an original approach to the problem.
7. pronouncing
Meaning: saying the sounds of a word aloud. Word family: pronounce, pronunciation. Example: She practised pronouncing unfamiliar names before the presentation.
8. embedded
Meaning: fixed firmly inside something or deeply included within it. Examples: a stone embedded in the tyre; an idea embedded in the story.
9. sneaky
Meaning: behaving secretly or dishonestly. Example: It was sneaky to read the message after being told it was private.
10. policy
Meaning: an agreed rule, principle or course of action used by an organisation or authority. Example: The school introduced a new policy on the responsible use of devices.
11. illustration
Meaning: a picture, diagram or example used to explain something. Word family: illustrate, illustrator. Example: The diagram provided a clear illustration of how the machine worked.
12. prospect
Meaning: the possibility that something may happen; it can also mean a likely future candidate or opportunity. Example: The prospect of performing on stage made her both nervous and excited.
13. scoffer
Meaning: a person who mocks or speaks scornfully about something. Word family: scoff, scoffed. Example: The early scoffers changed their minds once the invention proved useful.
14. tune
Meaning: a sequence of musical notes forming a melody; as a verb, it can mean adjusting something to work correctly. Examples: hum a tune; tune a guitar.
15. appointment
Meaning: an arranged meeting at a particular time; it can also mean the act of choosing someone for a position. Example: The dentist moved the appointment to Friday afternoon.
16. cheque
Meaning: a written instruction directing a bank to pay money from an account. Note: British English uses cheque; American English uses check.
17. mocked
Meaning: made fun of someone or something in an unkind or scornful way. Word family: mock, mocking, mockery. Example: The group later apologised for having mocked his unusual idea.
18. obvious
Meaning: easy to see, understand or notice. Word family: obviously. Example: It became obvious that the first plan would not work.
19. convenient
Meaning: easy, useful or suitable for a particular need or time. Word family: convenience, conveniently. Example: The library’s location near the bus interchange was convenient for students.
20. editor
Meaning: a person who prepares written, visual or recorded material for publication or broadcast. Word family: edit, editing, editorial. Example: The editor suggested shortening the opening paragraph.
21. full-time
Meaning: for the standard number of working or study hours rather than part-time. Example: After graduating, she accepted a full-time position at the museum.
Original Idiom List, Preserved and Corrected for Use
- blessing in disguise — something that seems bad at first but later produces a good result.
- a dime a dozen — very common and therefore not special.
- birds of a feather flock together — people with similar interests or qualities often spend time together.
- bite the bullet — face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely.
- break a leg — an informal way to wish someone good luck before a performance.
- hit the sack — go to bed.
- no pain, no gain — effort and difficulty are often required for improvement.
- so far, so good — things have gone well up to the present point.
- rain on someone’s parade — spoil someone’s enjoyment, plan or enthusiasm.
- head in the clouds — be unrealistic, dreamy or unaware of practical matters.
How Context Changes Meaning
Knowing one dictionary definition is not enough. Prospect can describe a future possibility. Original can describe something creative, or the first version of something. Tune can be a melody or the act of adjusting an instrument. Pupils should always ask which meaning fits the sentence.
Five-Minute Retrieval Routine
- Cover the meanings.
- Choose five words at random.
- Explain each in simple English.
- Use each naturally in a sentence.
- Return two days later and repeat without looking.
Use Vocabulary in Comprehension
When an unfamiliar word appears in a passage, look for definition clues, contrast, examples, cause-and-effect relationships, surrounding tone and grammar. The goal is not to guess from one nearby word. The goal is to use evidence from the sentence and paragraph.
Use Vocabulary in Writing
Do not force five newly learned words into every composition. Choose language that suits the situation. Glanced may be useful when describing a brief look. Mocked may fit a conflict scene. Ambition may suit a reflective or expository piece. Accurate use is more valuable than vocabulary decoration.
What Progress Looks Like
- words are recognised more quickly in passages;
- meanings are inferred more accurately from context;
- writing uses more precise verbs and nouns;
- idioms are used only when they fit naturally;
- new words remain retrievable after several days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should Primary 6 pupils memorise vocabulary lists?
Lists are useful for retrieval, but vocabulary becomes usable through context, repeated exposure, sentence use and reading.
Are idioms necessary for good composition?
No. An idiom is useful only when it fits naturally. Forced idioms can make writing less precise.
How many new words should a pupil learn at once?
A smaller set learned deeply and revisited is often more useful than a very long list studied once.
From Vocabulary List to Language System
The original list is still here: 21 vocabulary items and ten idioms. The stronger learning job is to turn those items into language that can be recognised in reading, retrieved under pressure and used accurately in writing and speech.
English Vocabulary List
For current class and contact information, visit eduKate Yishun.
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