By S M Ong, Columnist, The New Paper, 11 October 2021 at 06:00 am
Picture posted by Elena Martynyuk ©, Ilia Slavutski
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https://slavutski.ru/project/in-the-photographs-by-elena-martynyuk/
Helen and Ivan have a lot to answer for. Because of them, children cried, parents complained and everyone memed.
This year's Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) mathematics paper was reportedly so brutal that you almost expect to win 45.6 billion Korean won (S$51.5 million) in cash after surviving it.
But instead of the deadly games in Squid Game, 12-year-olds taking the exam apparently had to overcome such merciless questions like this one:
Picture posted by Rum Tan on 24 April 2020
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdgjN9YlVLocHNLIqDq7uv7PDjFF58SrPC9cthibcknom89_1Od_vFGAs7kHq3f3EB-6kEMiqZWv7lyNFGtjyHhX1_KQciIx2S6rCUvjWsiL9KhBtEZ8Xr40lvhyIw0niP53roEziWhzctkV6ieAJEM5YrhNPyXYCDQshTPGHGGqY-qAegnWgVn9v7=s1200
https://smiletutor.sg/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/psle-maths-tough-questions.jpg
https://smiletutor.sg/psle-maths-paper-tough-psle-maths-questions-how-to-prepare-for-it/
"Helen and Ivan had the same number of coins.
"Helen had a number of 50-cent coins and 64 20-cent coins. Helen's coins had a total mass of 1.134kg. Ivan had a number of 50-cent coins and 104 20-cent coins.
"(a) Who has more money in coins and by how much?
"(b) Given that each 50-cent coin is 2.7g more heavier than a 20-cent coin, what is the mass of Ivan's coins in kilograms?"
No, it wasn't the terrible English of "more heavier" that reduced the kids to tears.
Screengrab of video that Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam posted online showing him deadlifting 105kg.
PHOTO: FACEBOOK/K SHANMUGAM SC
Picture posted by Fayyadhah Zainalabiden, mustsharenews.com on 14 Aug 2021 at 04:31 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO7J1Yy7D5s0hVQiXlDrUYCIU2vAngpKSIYYYOaYWI-aNUTDvsylOSa-_JXqhxH-swQtzvbzyJCSICJtKo9faowfHL7Rq7x17lXJMaSu0VjM7LLY2RoZm_J6bwBtFMuJyk_zp7tKoJ_-asNKpgIMY116pUhgvwok94IJP30tTlnpNTmlMnalEJ6-X6=s910
https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shanmugam-lift-105kg.jpg
https://mustsharenews.com/shanmugam-weights-fitspo/
Maybe the Ministry of Education (MOE) hired Phua Chu Kang to set the exam after he finished shooting the Covid-19 videos and Shopee ads.
The question went so viral that all sorts of organisations jumped on the trendwagon by creating memes about what Helen and Ivan did or should do with all those coins.
Picture posted by parati̱ri̱ti̱s@d3n1r0 on 06 May 2013 at 05:22 pm - Najib & Anwar
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirowcN9XkGEa-3hGCoZtYaPSHBJ_ef_iu9Z5kd2uHnC24QKXf_fAwTuvwLChuSbGIf-91VLr08PUiuQ-tGaIG5Kfa0iGcBRE94K982Ja2lmoyNWlOTS1Hm2kU3zSGLDE2dqMiwXkg1V2eqkzQl0l9bponLDNJKOpM1FuUIwpRoLyMIKIH2h9R77wiM=s612
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BKYGKc7CIAAJgYY?format=jpg&name=small
https://twitter.com/d3n1r0/status/334961998913740800?lang=ca
OCBC Bank posted: "They brought their coins to an OCBC New ATM and banked them in for free. The End."
Singapore General Hospital: "They both washed their hands thoroughly with soap after they finished counting the coins. Be like Helen and Ivan."
Ministry of Finance: "We encourage Helen and Ivan to be prudent and save these coins for a rainy day."
DBS: "As they were counting their coins, Jacob bought the last chicken wing using DBS PayLah!"
Public Libraries Singapore: "It doesn't matter who has more money because borrowing books from the library is free. You can even do it from home on the NLB (National Library Board) Mobile app (and it'll be 0kg). The end."
Picture posted by Pari Satelier on Thursday, 17 February 2011 - Vintage Photos of Ziegfeld Follies Girls
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifBnrYMSJUVd5OLWjwF-lqynJ1dOPQgbExz5NZmXmbgM8CMl2rQ8FWP9Q2of_vT_hnq4aZZG9FZWmduOuMRGKbK410tegfMeOLhx6nfaTSijVSdLul3LsTswUuiUB3wnsn82MXp9ho8U_z6g1s4x9ThHVlJrPfBweHuy7FHKZOAwXCwrsQPPsAUGHL=s1500
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVsUhCSc5ip1UayDyUVMH_UjvH4r24jwCfRMl0Zzhy5tb4mVU_FPtAJO3lZdxmj0iUyaByN77E7lbxqmkg0d_X9eYafqqzaZXL2ZpPcmF2-UepyFlXnRW_kEky-_9uARBV_djmnDZkJKl/s1600/ann+lee+patterson+ziegfeld+girl.jpg
http://parisatelier.blogspot.com/2011/02/ziegfeld-follies.html
Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim changed the names to Halid and Iman and added: "They brought their coins to Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim and donated them sincerely for the sake of Allah.
"How many rewards will Allah give to them?
"Allah will manifold the reward of the charity giver, as mentioned in the Quran (Al Hadid: 18). 'Verily those who give alms - be they men or women - and give Allah a beautiful loan shall be repaid after increasing it many times; and theirs shall be a generous reward.'
"PS: you can also donate via QR code."
Ikea simply posted a picture of a weighing scale with the caption: "You're welcome".
Even MOE weighed in (so to speak), posting on social media: "We met up with Helen and Ivan this week to solve their weighty money issue. Some found it challenging while others found it familiar from work they had done in class before.
Picture posted by Gramilano on 07 July 2012 - Vintage Photos of Ziegfeld Follies Girls
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https://i1.wp.com/www.gramilano.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Ziegfeld-Girls-09.jpg?ssl=1
https://www.gramilano.com/2012/07/pointe-shoes-and-tutus-at-the-ziegfeld-follies/
"Like every year, the examination paper has a balanced spread of test items of varying difficulties ranging from easy, moderate to challenging questions. We would like to assure parents that this year's paper was set to comparable standards (to) past years' papers...
"Some parents also mentioned that the Helen and Ivan question included the phrase 'more heavier', which is grammatically incorrect. We would like to clarify that the question in the PSLE paper did not use this phrase."
So MOE didn't hire PCK after all. He must be too busy telling people to get vaxxed.
PROPOSED QUESTIONS
Still, the ministry can't deny that Helen and Ivan walking around with all that loose change isn't exactly the most relatable of scenarios.
"Sophia Loren on the set of YESTERDAY, TODAY and TOMORROW 1863.”
Picture posted by Gaetano Alfano@roccamora on 09 June 2014 at 1:17 am
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpkYA_jIYAAP_Ir?format=jpg&name=900x900
https://twitter.com/roccamora/status/475688118537158656
Picture posted by studentsea.com - Giving A Fellow Hollywood Star The Side Eye
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https://d3drajoq5gm85y.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/19234654/Giving-A-Fellow-Hollywood-Star-The-Side-Eye.jpg
https://www.studentsea.com/worldwide/captur-ob/50
https://www.studentsea.com/worldwide/captur-ob/51
So here are a few proposed questions for next year's PSLE to reflect the new normal:
- Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Health reported a total of 3,562 new Covid-19 cases in the community and migrant worker dormitories. If the number also came in second in the 4D draw that day, how much do you bet on the number of new local cases the next day?
- On Saturday, Singapore announced that those who are fully vaccinated can travel to eight more countries: Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain and the US. How soon after did the Singapore Airlines website crash?
- Of Singapore's population, 83 per cent have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccines and 85 per cent have received at least one dose. How many who refuse to be vaccinated will eventually take ivermectin because their "church friends" in Telegram chat groups tell them to?
- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks for 25 minutes on the Covid-19 situation using 3,063 words. How many times does he drink from his magic cup?
- Helen and Ivan are dating. She is vaccinated. He is not and doesn't want to be. From Wednesday, only those who are vaccinated will be allowed to enter malls and dine in (with a one-week grace period for malls). How long before Helen finds a new boyfriend? Oh, Ivan is also a cheapskate who always seems to have only coins with him.
PHOTO: Proposed question for next year's PSLE to reflect the new normal
Helen and Ivan are dating. She is vaccinated. He is not and doesn't want to be. From Wednesday, only those who are vaccinated will be allowed to enter malls and dine in (with a one-week grace period for malls). How long before Helen finds a new boyfriend? Oh, Ivan is also a cheapskate who always seems to have only coins with him.
Picture posted by Pari Satelier on Thursday, 17 February 2011 - Vintage Photos of Ziegfeld Follies Girls
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAoNBLZMbhqoCUPdPbrUciEdHVYmJXZ-fofGQHqLddW6gdpS-F8NGuBOoxF1bT2izxpbBtQJWL-3zcr2Ils4WKef8ynVqKiLjWaR9nHwrcLyJYYJUAZZ-AKSLYkmSQnesOgoBuIet11hz3vNcgcUE6SmS_BUdX220U-yNjaUD5yKgb3bq-DLs63MCx=s1200
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVFPcO2p_FMLuyqY4BVWAZUz-5czDqY4KU4jh9K2zdJ3OTlziRWo6XvD__h0sUyxhVn-r5Ui4aHaSS4j9Z4PvZdRqr5BwHw6eL2EMiZB7zbMNZQ2wjx6JQY2MF2zVQKlW6f1me-UFZJXK/s1600/Liliyn+Tashman+Ziegfeld+girl.jpg
http://parisatelier.blogspot.com/2011/02/ziegfeld-follies.html
Cosplay (Links)
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)
Japanese Samba Carnival (links)
Asakusa Samba Carnival (links)
Brazilian Samba Carnival (links)
Scandinavian Samba Carnival (links)
Other stories
Nursing stories
Healthcare stories (links)
Movie (Links)
Strange thing (Links)
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/09/busan-international-film-festival-biff.html
Japanese Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/japanese-samba-carnival-links.html
Asakusa Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/asakusa-samba-carnival.html
Brazilian Samba Carnival - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/brazilian-samba-carnival-links.html
Scandinavian Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/scandinavian-samba-carnival-links.html
Other stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/05/other-stories.html
Nursing stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/09/nursing-stories.html
Healthcare stories (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/01/healthcare-stories-links.html
Movie (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/11/movie-links.html
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVBA8b8H9aKUTaSoStmLhxKLbt96lZk-zSCDFK1IXWoHPlbhq1PoXn4yhj8XOeBkA02XWCeVCYbfunH2Mmb433it1l-SDavHVCBhFwkZ-r7wcAubDFkVr3_pDJ6UxDyO9sXQGnSjsJCrlm2YTYsN9mKpf5XT2Pab0ZnIWYFBFyaTmAgo87HkpTa7U4=s1024
- https://i1.wp.com/slavutski.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/6RVBG8JuNFU.jpg?fit=714%2C1024&ssl=1
- https://slavutski.ru/project/in-the-photographs-by-elena-martynyuk/
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdgjN9YlVLocHNLIqDq7uv7PDjFF58SrPC9cthibcknom89_1Od_vFGAs7kHq3f3EB-6kEMiqZWv7lyNFGtjyHhX1_KQciIx2S6rCUvjWsiL9KhBtEZ8Xr40lvhyIw0niP53roEziWhzctkV6ieAJEM5YrhNPyXYCDQshTPGHGGqY-qAegnWgVn9v7=s1200
- https://smiletutor.sg/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/psle-maths-tough-questions.jpg
- https://smiletutor.sg/psle-maths-paper-tough-psle-maths-questions-how-to-prepare-for-it/
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO7J1Yy7D5s0hVQiXlDrUYCIU2vAngpKSIYYYOaYWI-aNUTDvsylOSa-_JXqhxH-swQtzvbzyJCSICJtKo9faowfHL7Rq7x17lXJMaSu0VjM7LLY2RoZm_J6bwBtFMuJyk_zp7tKoJ_-asNKpgIMY116pUhgvwok94IJP30tTlnpNTmlMnalEJ6-X6=s910
- https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shanmugam-lift-105kg.jpg
- https://mustsharenews.com/shanmugam-weights-fitspo/
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifBnrYMSJUVd5OLWjwF-lqynJ1dOPQgbExz5NZmXmbgM8CMl2rQ8FWP9Q2of_vT_hnq4aZZG9FZWmduOuMRGKbK410tegfMeOLhx6nfaTSijVSdLul3LsTswUuiUB3wnsn82MXp9ho8U_z6g1s4x9ThHVlJrPfBweHuy7FHKZOAwXCwrsQPPsAUGHL=s1500
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVsUhCSc5ip1UayDyUVMH_UjvH4r24jwCfRMl0Zzhy5tb4mVU_FPtAJO3lZdxmj0iUyaByN77E7lbxqmkg0d_X9eYafqqzaZXL2ZpPcmF2-UepyFlXnRW_kEky-_9uARBV_djmnDZkJKl/s1600/ann+lee+patterson+ziegfeld+girl.jpg
- http://parisatelier.blogspot.com/2011/02/ziegfeld-follies.html
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh48fnVamVmmdLOorRvHOoZVpHmfPeGl7LqDxumcBVjt4bzcV7FtZTvOX2GIDzvXjL9SGgZ2Hfvs9g_8NbY4Aj8BggKmkHTA-THoXW_MWNEJtN3gAaDbtZXj9sKVc5Py-qnNB3G5l5DXbAJFkLm4jzEzB0hG9EePyJQCJVJ8JdRtywobBaGibabaECr=s700
- https://i1.wp.com/www.gramilano.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Ziegfeld-Girls-09.jpg?ssl=1
- https://www.gramilano.com/2012/07/pointe-shoes-and-tutus-at-the-ziegfeld-follies/
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQIILBjkZKw19KKuDfcK_HdaUcXfXT3Yd3PjssOJkmDtKlebSP6zlyLzBsu9DzhL6uypcLOoMRUeqTaDYoxmNJRrS_x7OJxzU39JDeQzNJtRkIVZSNM2MOHdXrm-C4U7nfSeEuS2liLOia7d9nAJy4Mly6Y1MMsEXLdnvOYQO9oI3V9dNVHmgHtHAG=s714
- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpkYA_jIYAAP_Ir?format=jpg&name=900x900
- https://twitter.com/roccamora/status/475688118537158656
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheMc_-R46wXMl2aNFxig4iO3d7qi4cumXS355XqNIrTcD_aJBC1zWJcCvULcdfb3fUIwpW8ug2FWYR4nLncTa2AGCEQkQEKgKQ_LA3FQCiXyCXrhavk3QUk70gUakyC0eGQ5bpZ2nLwBK0iN2udokNIjZI0jbQw_HrVzZCyzCiNELWajEAJCDRiM0X=s800
- https://d3drajoq5gm85y.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/19234654/Giving-A-Fellow-Hollywood-Star-The-Side-Eye.jpg
- https://www.studentsea.com/worldwide/captur-ob/50
- https://www.studentsea.com/worldwide/captur-ob/51
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAoNBLZMbhqoCUPdPbrUciEdHVYmJXZ-fofGQHqLddW6gdpS-F8NGuBOoxF1bT2izxpbBtQJWL-3zcr2Ils4WKef8ynVqKiLjWaR9nHwrcLyJYYJUAZZ-AKSLYkmSQnesOgoBuIet11hz3vNcgcUE6SmS_BUdX220U-yNjaUD5yKgb3bq-DLs63MCx=s1200
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVFPcO2p_FMLuyqY4BVWAZUz-5czDqY4KU4jh9K2zdJ3OTlziRWo6XvD__h0sUyxhVn-r5Ui4aHaSS4j9Z4PvZdRqr5BwHw6eL2EMiZB7zbMNZQ2wjx6JQY2MF2zVQKlW6f1me-UFZJXK/s1600/Liliyn+Tashman+Ziegfeld+girl.jpg
- http://parisatelier.blogspot.com/2011/02/ziegfeld-follies.html