Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Guided Literacy Test March 2011

Look for me – I’m here to help you succeed!

Literacy Test Instructions Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Take a minute to read these very important instructions!

Section A Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Read the selection below and answer the questions that follow it. Think about it! Can you predict what

the article is about from reading the headline and scanning the picture?

Highlight or underline the main idea of each paragraph while you read.

Section A Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Multiple Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on the Student Answer Sheet) 1. A “hotly debated question” is a 2. The archeologists described in this question that is: selection a) easy to answer a) wrote a news report b) rarely considered b) dug up an ancient object c) boring to think about c) restored a prehistoric site d) passionately argued about d) discovered ways to preserve food Written Answers (Answer in full an correctly written sentences) 3. What evidence do researchers consider most convincing in answering the question of the origin of noodles?

________________________________________________ 4. Why is Marco Polo mentioned in this news report?

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Explain whether this archeological find settles the question about who invented pasta. Use specific details from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A question about “Direct Information” - Go find the answer!

A question about “Indirect Information” - You'll have to think about this one and write your own opinion!

Section B Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Writing a Series of Paragraphs Task: Write a series of paragraphs (a minimum of three) expressing an opinion on the topic below. Develop your main idea with supporting details (proofs, facts, examples, etc.)

Purpose and Audience: an adult who is interested in your opinion

Topic: Are today's famous people good role models for young people?

Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate length of writing expected.

STATE IT! Introduction Paragraph

What is your opinion? (Fill in the blank)

I believe that famous people ____________ good role models for young people. (are OR are not)

PROVE IT! Body Paragraphs

Why do you believe this? (use your opinion ALONG with examples to support your points.)

Point #1 Proof #1

Point #2 Proof #2

Point #3 Proof #3

LEAVE IT! Concluding Paragraph

Wrap it up! Restate your point of view and summarize your major points. - -

Take a side! Discuss your opinion in no less than 5 paragraphs.

Section B Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Continue writing your opinion piece on the next page.

Introduction Body Conclusion (1 paragraph) (3 paragraphs) (1 paragraph)

Use all the lines!!

Section B Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you clearly expressed your opinion with relevant supporting details?

Clearly indicate paragraph changes by indenting!

Section C Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Read the selection below and answer the questions that follow it.

Skim and Scan the picture, all subtitles and labels. . . Then go and read the questions!

This is a graphic text! A highlighter will be very helpful!

Section C Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Multiple-Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on the Student Answer Sheet) 1. Two separate ponds are needed on this 3. The effective operation of all fish farm so that components of the farm ensures that a) fish have two areas in which to swim a) solid waste is used to feed plants b) there are two sources of fresh b) water in the filtration pond has intake water sufficient oxygen c) each pond can perform a different c) new water is added to the system function at several points d) there are different habitats in which d) the fish have a continuous plants can grow supply of aerated water 2. A pump is necessary in the fish farm to make the a) clean water flow faster b) fish move from tank to tank c) oxygen bubbles move around d) water move up into the fish tanks Written Answers 4. Describe the path the water takes through the system in the fish farm.

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Explain why this fish farm could be considered “eco-friendly”.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Know your terms: Copy – Find and rewrite word for word from the text Explain – Give a reason as part of your answer (use “because”) Describe – Tell about a person, place, thing or idea in your answer. Identify - Name a cause, result or fact. Define – Tell the meaning of a word or phrase.

Section D Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Multiple-Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on the Student Answer Sheet) 1. Choose the option that best combines all the information in the boldfaced sentences. The concert was on Saturday. My favourite band, Cutting Edge, played at the concert. It was a rock concert. a) The rock concert was on Saturday. b) Cutting Edge is my favourite band because it plays rock music. c) Cutting Edge, my favourite band, played at the rock concert on Saturday. d) Saturday's concert was a rock concert and it included the rock band Cutting Edge, since it is my favourite band. 2. Choose the correct option to fill in the blank. Long Point, _________________, the Graveyard of Lake Erie, has had numerous shipwrecks. a) often called b) often is called c) often has been called d) which had often been called 3. Choose the sentence that does not belong in the paragraph. (1) Many people are afraid of spiders. (2) They think spiders can give them a poisonous bite. (3) Spiders are not really insects, because insects have eight legs. (4) Some spiders do have a poison that can kill flies and other insects. (5) However, this poison is not harmful to humans. a) Sentence 2 b) Sentence 3 c) Sentence 4 d) Sentence 5

Try these multiple choice strategies: a) Try to answer the question before you look at the Choices b) Read all the answers before you choose c) Don't leave any blanks d) Guess if you are stuck e) Put your answers in the student answer booklet

Section E Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Writing a News Report Task: Write a news report based on the headline and picture below.

You will have to make up the facts and information by answering some or all of the following questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

You must relate your newspaper report to both the headline and the picture.

Purpose and Audience: to report on an event for the readers of a newspaper

Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate length of writing expected. Student volunteers improve school grounds

Use your imagination to create the details of the report!

Who is involved? What is happening? Where is it taking place? When did it occur? Why is it happening How is it happening?

You are not a TV News Reporter! Put yourself into the situation BUT Poke out your I's! (do not use first person narration) Example: In the gym, I watched. . . In the gym, students were watching. . .

Section E Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Student Volunteers Improve School Grounds

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Use all the Lines! Indicate Short Paragraphs by Indenting!