OSSLT Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

1. OSSLTOntario Secondary School Literacy Test Thursday, March 30, 2017

2. What does the test consist of? • The test consists of four booklets (two question booklets and two answer booklets). • You have 75 minutes for each set of question and answer booklets • Once the time is up, the booklets you are working on are collected • If you have an IEP, you will have received an accommodation letter for the OSSLT

3. Reading • Test includes different types of reading: • Information paragraph • News report • Dialogue • Real-life narrative • Graphic text • Each reading passage will be followed by: • Multiple choice questions • Paragraph responses (summary, main idea, making connections and/or opinion)

4. Writing • Test includes different types of writing: • Multiple Choice questions focusing on writing • Two short writing tasks • Opinion paragraphs • Two long writing tasks • News Report • Series of paragraphs expressing an opinion

5. Multiple Choice Questions • Choose the best or most correct answer for each question • You must record your multiple choice answers on the Student Answer Sheet • Colour in the Circle Completely • Like this: Not Like this: • Fill in only one circle for each question

6. Book I – Tutorial

7. Section A – Reading Multiple Choice & Open Response Questions

8. Section A - Multiple Choice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ZDMd3KmjU

9. Section A –Multiple Choice Answers

10. Section A – Open Response Short Writing Task https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJY6tk2aCHM

11. Example Short Open Response Lizarda is a good choice for the internship because he understands the “basic principles of animation,” has an excellent sense of story-telling, and can create a picture with animation that will tell a story entertaining to audiences. These are the reasons why Lizarda will be a good choice for the internship at Lucas Animation.

12. Section B – Writing Multiple Choice

13. Section B – Multiple Choice Answers

14. Section B – Multiple Choice Answers

15. Section C – Reading Task Multiple Choice & Open Response Questions

16. Section C – Multiple Choice Answers

17. Section C – Open Response Examples 6. The interview with Alex is beneficial to Nat’s career exploration. Alex provides him with some realistic advice on how to become a businessman. He tells Nat the importance of researching, and developing a business plan. He also encourages him to stay focused on his goals. These are the reasons that Alex’s interview is beneficial to Nat.

18. Section C – Open Response Examples 7. This selection shows the benefits of volunteering for community service. Through volunteering Alex is able to create a business out of something that he is passionate about. He also recognizes a need in the community and finds a clever way to fill it. Lastly he is able to give back to seniors in the community. In conclusion, these are the reasons that volunteering is beneficial.

19. Section D – Writing Short Writing Task

20. Section D – Example Response An environmental issue that is important today is reducing our ecological footprint. Decreasing our ecological footprint is important because we are using up natural resources too quickly. In addition it is important because it limits pollution in the air and water. Finally it ensures a healthy environment for future generations. In conclusion, these are the reasons that reducing our ecological footprint is an important environmental issue.

21. Section E – News Report

22. News Report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_NmVtnEEA8

23. Section E – Sample Response Yesterday at Heart Lake Secondary School, in Brampton, students participated in an important election for their student body president. The voting for student body president took place in the gym during lunch. The election was being held because the previous president is graduating at the end of the school year. Emily Trident had this to say about the election, “This is a really great opportunity for me because I think my ideas could really make a difference in my school.” Emily has been campaigning hard and is hopeful that she will become the first female school president at Heart Lake Secondary. Principal Kelman said, “Elections are a great process for all students to participate in.” Over 1,200 students voted for one of the eight candidates running in the election. The votes will be tallied at the end of the school day today with winners announced tomorrow.

24. Section F – Reading Multiple Choice & Open Response Questions

25. Section F – Multiple Choice Answers

26. Section F – Open Response Example The main idea of the selection is polar bear survival through climate change. The selection discusses specific studies where scientists try to determine if polar bears could be sustained on a diet of berries only. Scientists discovered that polar bears could not “extract sufficient energy from berries alone.”

27. Book II – Tutorial

28. Section G – Writing a Series of Paragraphs

29. Series of Paragraphs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5NrNcaWfiA

30. Section G – Sample Response High school is one of the first times that students have the opportunity to work. A part time job is a taste of the real world and is good to teach teens what it is like to work. It is a good idea for students to have a part time job because it helps students manage money, gain a strong work ethic, and it gives them experience. One of the first reasons it is good for teenagers to have a part time job is that it helps them gain independence. By earning their own money, they will recognize that “money doesn’t grow on trees”. They will learn how quickly their money can disappear if they do not manage their money correctly. And with it being their own money, they will pay more attention to the use of their money. Another reason for teenagers to have a job is to teach them responsibility. By having a job, students will learn more about hard work. Later in life they will join the working world and will need to understand the true meaning of “a hard day’s work.” Also, they will learn the importance of time management as they will need to balance studies and their part time job.

31. Section G – Sample Response Finally, having a part time job gives teenagers experience. It can teach them many basic work skills such as customer service and acting professionally. Also, they will gain experience working with many different people. In conclusion, experience gained is an important reason for teenagers to have a part time job. In conclusion, it is a good idea that all teenagers have a part time job as they will learn independence, responsibility, and gain valuable work experience. Although part time jobs are beneficial, students should remember to balance their academics, social activities and their job.

32. Section H – Writing Multiple Choice

33. Section H - Answers

34. Section I – Reading Multiple Choice

35. Section I – Multiple Choice Answers

36. Section I – Multiple Choice Answers

37. Section J – Reading Multiple Choice & Open Response Questions

38. Section J – Multiple Choice Answers

39. Section J – Open Response Example 6. Gerry believes that Hanna’s suggestions will help him. This is shown when Gerry breathes a sigh of relief and asks for more tips. Also Gerry is cooperative with Hanna’s suggestions such as visualizing himself at this job. At the end of the story, Gerry also wants to go for a walk just like Hanna suggested. 7. This selection shows us that Gerry and Hanna’s relationship is a good one. They are kind to each other, Hanna tries to help Gerry relax and Hanna recalls previous occasions where Gerry was encouraging to her. This shows us that they have a supportive relationship with each other.

40. Section K – Writing Short Writing Task

41. Section K – Short Writing Task Example One action that I can take in my daily life to be more healthy is to walk more. Walking gets us to move around and burn calories. Also, walking is good for our joints and keeps us active. Last, walking prevents us from sitting too long and being too sedentary. Walking is one action that I can do everyday that will help me be more healthy.

42. Section L – Reading Graphic/Informational Text & Multiple Choice

43. Graphic Text • For this section use the question book to record your rough answers and then transfer them into the answer book. • Read the titles and introduction to become familiar with the information

44. Graphic Text • The questions most likely are grouped by graph or source of information. • Use your multiple choice question strategies.

45. Section L – Multiple Choice Answers

46. Review & Recap

47. Written Answers • Write legibly on the lined space provided • Pay attention to clarity, organization, spelling, grammar and punctuation • There are spaces in the test booklets for rough notes – nothing you write in these spaces will be marked

48. Open Response Questions • Short opinion piece from the reading where you must agree or disagree with the question • First take a stand, decide if you agree or disagree • Second look for evidence to support your point directly from the reading • Remember you are only to fill the space available.

49. Short Writing Task - Opinion • For this task you will need to have an introductory sentence outlining your three points or examples and a conclusion sentence. • This is an opinion piece so you get to choose all of the information.

50. Short Writing Task - Opinion • Introductory sentence example: • Cats are the best pets because they are friendly, playful, and low maintenance. • Body sentences will expand on each of your selected examples. Each example will have 2-3 sentences expanding on your thoughts.