Preparing for the osslt

1. Preparing for the osslt (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test)

2. Welcome to a support program designed to provide you with skills you will need as you prepare to write the literacy test on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

3. For the first session • For several parts of the Literacy Test, you will be reading passages and answeringquestions based upon the readings. • The reading questions are designed to measure student achievement in these areas: • understanding of ideas and information that are stated directly in the reading selection (EXPLICIT) • understanding of ideas and information that are not stated directly and that require the reader to make conclusions (IMPLICIT) • making of connections between personal knowledge and experience and the ideas and information in the reading selections (interpretation of meaning)

5. Some tips before you begin • Prepare in advance by reading carefully ALL the Multiple Choice questions and the Written Answer questions that follow the reading passage. • Have a highlighter ready to mark important information as you read the passage.

6. Multiple-Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on the Student Answer Booklet.) 1. What would be the most appropriate title for this selection? a. A New Start b. A Chef’s Special c. Father Knows Best d. Practice Makes Perfect 2. What is indicated by the single quotation marks in paragraph 4 around “Go! Hurry!”? a. Gerry is talking to himself. b. Two people are talking at the same time. c. Gerry is speaking someone else’s words. d. The words are thoughts, not conversation. 3. What does Hanna mean when she says, “I was a wreck” (paragraph 7)? a. She was exhausted from lifeguarding. b. She feared starting a new lifeguarding job. c. She was injured while she was on the job. d. She needed help from the Second Career program. 4. How does Gerry feel when he exhales loudly in paragraph 10? a. He is beginning to relax. b. He is exhausted with worry. c. He is impatient with his children. d. He is irritated to receive so much advice.

7. Read the selection below and answer the questions that follow it. “Is tomorrow the big day?” asked Hanna. Her father was lost in thought. “Dad?” “Sorry.” Gerry snapped out of his reverie. “I can’t focus. Nerves, I guess.” “Don’t be nervous,” said Hanna. “You’re a fantastic chef!” “Thanks. It’s not the cooking that I’m worried about—it’s the pace. ‘Go! Hurry!’ People yelling …getting annoyed.” Hanna could see his anxiety. “But we have given you lots of practice dealing with impatient, noisy people,” she said. “You have an advantage over the 20-year-old apprentices! They haven’t been cooking for five kids for 18 years.” “True,” acknowledged Gerry. “It’s just scary trying a new career at 44, even with the help from the Second Career program.” “Remember the night before I started that lifeguarding job? I was a wreck, and you and Mom gave me great advice.” “What?” “Take a deep breath,” she replied. “Go for a walk.” Gerry exhaled loudly. “That helps. Any other tips?” “You distracted me with a funny story—remember your lab partner who used salt instead of sugar?” “Poor Steve,” recalled Gerry, chuckling. “Let’s hope I don’t make mistakes like that!” “You won’t,” said Hanna reassuringly. “And Mom suggested that I visualize the end of my first day. Picture yourself cleaning your station after your shift and imagine the feeling of accomplishment.” Gerry closed his eyes and swished his hands out in front of him, wiping an imaginary counter. They burst out laughing. “Feeling of relief, or maybe exhaustion,” added Gerry. “Forget visualization, how about that walk?”

8. Getting it right • After you have read the passage and highlighted it, re-read the multiple choice questions and answer them carefully.

9. Tips for answering multiple choice questions • Try to come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers. This way the choices won’t throw you off or trick you. • Eliminate answers you know aren’t right. • Read ALL the choices. • Don’t leave it blank. Make an educated guess. • Don’t keep changing your answer. Usually your first choice is the right one. • Once you have decided on your answer, go back to the story and, where possible, highlight, underline, circle, or put a check mark where you got your answer.

10. Multiple-Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on the Student Answer Booklet.) 1. What would be the most appropriate title for this selection? a. A New Start b. A Chef’s Special c. Father Knows Best d. Practice Makes Perfect 2. What is indicated by the single quotation marks in paragraph 4 around “Go! Hurry!”? a. Gerry is talking to himself. b. Two people are talking at the same time. c. Gerry is speaking someone else’s words. d. The words are thoughts, not conversation. 3. What does Hanna mean when she says, “I was a wreck” (paragraph 7)? a. She was exhausted from lifeguarding. b. She feared starting a new lifeguarding job. c. She was injured while she was on the job. d. She needed help from the Second Career program. 4. How does Gerry feel when he exhales loudly in paragraph 10? a. He is beginning to relax. b. He is exhausted with worry. c. He is impatient with his children. d. He is irritated to receive so much advice.

12. The written answers • Repeat part of the question in your opening sentence. Turn the question into a statement. For example, Does Gerry believe that Hanna’s suggestions will help him? Use specific details from the selection to explain your answer. Becomes: Gerry does believe that Hanna’s suggestions will help him.

13. You should NOT start to give your reasons, examples, or proofs in your opening sentence. • Avoid the word “because” in your opening sentence. • Do NOT say: Gerry believes that Hanna’s suggestions will help him because… • Rather say… There are several details which show that Gerry believes Hanna’s suggestions will help him. (Then give support.)

14. The write stuff • Use the Rough Notes section at the bottom of the page to organize your ideas. • Try to fill up the lines provided but do not go over. • After your opening statement, include reasons, examples, or ideas to support your answer. • Re-read your answers carefully. Remember that your target audience is an adult marking your response. • Check for possible spelling, punctuation, or other grammatical errors. Write neatly! • Be satisfied with your answer!

15. Finally... • When giving proof from the passage, be careful not to copy the wording exactly as it appears. • This would be considered simply copying the ideas. • Try to put specific details from the reading passage into your own words.

16. Some examples to guide youThe following samples show three different levels of marked responses from a range of 10-30

19. Now that you have completed a section 1 practice lesson, let’s move on to section 2: writing

20. Section 2: the short writing task • These tasks give you the opportunity to use your knowledge and personal experience while demonstrating your writing skills. • Read and re-read the question carefully. • Think of links between the topic and your knowledge and personal experiences. • Answer the question using specific details and relevant information. • Re-read your response and correct any errors you notice. • Review the tips for writing short answers.

21. The write stuff • Use the Rough Notes section at the bottom of the page to organize your ideas. • Try to fill up the lines provided but do not go over. • After your opening statement, include reasons, examples, or ideas to support your answer. • Re-read your answers carefully. Remember that your target audience is an adult marking your response. • Check for possible spelling, punctuation, or other grammatical errors. Write neatly! • Be satisfied with your answer!

22. Example Question 1: Do you prefer to work alone or with a group? Becomes: I prefer to work with a group for several reasons. I find that being in a group helps me to discover new ideas. I also like to share my thoughts with others. Finally, being in a group is a great way for me to meet new people.

23. Make sure that you connect your answer to your personal opinion with proof to support your opinion.

25. BE MEANINGFUL AND SPECIFIC!!