Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

1. Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test A Survival Guide

2. Introduction • Date: Thursday March, 29th, 2012 • Duration: 2.5 hours total (divided into 2 sections) • The test consists of: • 2 booklets • 1 answer key • Results: Pass or Fail (score of 300+)

3. Reading • You will be asked to read any of the following: • Informational (250 words) • Non-fiction paragraph • Think science text book, magazine article • News Report • Like in Barrie Examiner • Narrative or story • Dialogue (250 words) • Talking between people (like a scripted conversation) • Real life story (like a history text book) (600 words)

4. Reading cont’d • Graphic • Usually a full page • Less than 150 words (something visual) • Could be: • Diagram • Poster • Menu • Web page • Etc…

5. Reading cont’d • Types of questions: • Multiple choice • Small paragraph response (usually opinion-based/open), 6 lines

6. Writing • Long writing tasks: • News report (1 page) • Essay (2 pages) • 2 short writing tasks • 6 lines each • Multiple choice • Developing sentences • Organizing ideas • Punctuation, spelling, grammar

7. Answering Questions: Multiple Choice • Multiple choice • Read all choices carefully • Eliminate any choices that seem obviously incorrect • Look for key words or information that relates back to the information • Try to avoid ‘distractors’ (answers that seem right except for…) • Choose the most correct answer

8. Answering Questions: Multiple Choice • Multiple Choice tips and strategies • Reading a graphic (image) • Read through the entire image before looking at the questions. • Make sure you understand the image • Brochure (product being sold) • Diagram (process being explained) • Graph/Chart (information being presented) • You are being tested on your understanding of the image…not just reading it but understanding it too!

9. Answering Questions: News Article • You are being marked on: • Relating the article to the picture and headline • Writing an actual newspaper article • Spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure • Length of article (must be at least ¾ of the page)

10. Answering Questions: News Article • News Article Formula: • Divide your article into 3 sections: • 5 W’s • Who, what, when, where, why • Insert 2 quotes from witnesses • People at the event/in the picture • If you write small, use both quotes, if big- just one • Answer “What will happen next” • use remaining space to answer in 1-2 sentences

11. Answering Questions: News Article • Tips • Use ‘yesterday’ as your WHEN • Use places, people, and ideas you are familiar with • Ex. St. Joan of Arc School, Barrie, you and your friends • Use the ‘Rough Notes’ section to fill out the 3 sections first!!! • Keep your sentences short and simple • Read an article from a newspaper before the test and identify the 3 sections for yourself • When finished, check to be sure your article is related to the heading and picture

12. Answering Questions: Short Writing Tasks • Follow a basic structure • TopicSentences • Support • Concluding Sentences • Only 6 lines

13. Answering Questions: Short Writing Tasks • Tips and strategies • If it’s an opinion question, choose a side! Don’t offer both sides… • Use the “Rough Notes” section to plan out your 3 sections. • Keep your sentences simple and short. • Double-check your answers to make sure: • Answer is one side of an opinion • You provided proof • You have a topic sentence and concluding sentence

14. Answering Questions: Essay Response • The topic will be something you are familiar with (relevant to teenagers) • You must present a clear opinion or position • You must present proof/examples/support for your opinion • You will also be evaluated for spelling, grammar, punctuation, organization of your ideas, and sentence structure • You must write a minimum 1 ½ pages.

15. Answering Questions: Essay Response • Tips and Strategies • Follow the 5 paragraph structure • Introduction paragraph • First argument • Second argument • Third argument • Concluding Paragraph

16. Answering Questions: Essay Response • Like short answer, pick a side to argue • Choose 3 reasons why you support that argument • Create 3 pieces of proof to put in each body paragraph • When in doubt, make it up! • Ex. 83% of students feel that Bella should have married Jacob

17. Answering Questions: Essay Response • Introductory Paragraph (1) • You need to clearly state your opinion and reveal 3 points that you plan on using to support it • Body Paragraphs (2,3,4) • Remember the pattern for short answer? We will use the same pattern for each body paragraph: • Topic Sentence • Support/Proof/Evidence • Concluding Sentence • Concluding Paragraph (5) • Restate what you said in your introductory paragraph including the 3 points that you argued

18. Answering Questions: Essay Response • Tips and strategies: • Choose a side and stick to it! Don’t point out arguments in support for the other side • When in doubt, make up statistics or facts to support your argument • Write in simple, short sentences • Proofread your essay when completed • Stay in the lines • PLAN OUT YOUR ESSAY ON THE ROUGH NOTES FIRST!

19. OSSLT: In Conclusion • Take the time to plan out written answers on the rough space provided • Answer ALL questions. A blank mark is a ZERO. • Study your formulas beforehand: Article • 5 W’s • 2 Quotes • What will happen next?

20. OSSLT: In Conclusion • Essay Response • 5 paragraphs • Introduction • Proof 1 • Proof 2 • Proof 3 • Conclusion • Short Answer • Topic Sentence • Support • Concluding Sentence

21. OSSLT: In Conclusion • Remember: • This test is designed with expectations from the end of grade 9, not grade 10 • If you fail the test you can try again next year • If you have certain accommodations for tests with an IEP you should be eligible for them on the OSSLT. Check to see if you are unsure!

22. Resources • If you need extra help: • Ask your English teacher • Go to our school’s OSSLT blog: • litprepjoa.wordpress.com • Download the practice booklet • Email me if you have questions • Go to the EQAO website: • eqao.com

23. GOOD LUCK!