Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Ontario Secondary School Literacy TestA Survival Guide

IntroductionDate: Thursday March, 29th, 2012Duration: 2.5 hours total (divided into 2 sections)The test consists of:2 booklets 1 answer keyResults: Pass or Fail (score of 300+)

ReadingYou will be asked to read any of the following:Informational (250 words)Non-fiction paragraphThink science text book, magazine articleNews ReportLike in Barrie ExaminerNarrative or story Dialogue (250 words)Talking between people (like a scripted conversation)Real life story (like a history text book) (600 words)

Reading contdGraphicUsually a full page Less than 150 words (something visual)Could be:DiagramPosterMenuWeb pageEtc

Reading contdTypes of questions:Multiple choiceSmall paragraph response (usually opinion-based/open), 6 lines

WritingLong writing tasks:News report (1 page)Essay (2 pages)2 short writing tasks6 lines eachMultiple choiceDeveloping sentencesOrganizing ideasPunctuation, spelling, grammarAnswering Questions: Multiple ChoiceMultiple choiceRead all choices carefullyEliminate any choices that seem obviously incorrectLook for key words or information that relates back to the informationTry to avoid distractors (answers that seem right except for)Choose the most correct answer

Answering Questions: Multiple Choice Multiple Choice tips and strategiesReading a graphic (image)Read through the entire image before looking at the questions.Make sure you understand the imageBrochure (product being sold)Diagram (process being explained)Graph/Chart (information being presented)You are being tested on your understanding of the imagenot just reading it but understanding it too!Answering Questions: News ArticleYou are being marked on:Relating the article to the picture and headlineWriting an actual newspaper articleSpelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structureLength of article (must be at least of the page)

Answering Questions: News ArticleNews Article Formula:Divide your article into 3 sections:5 WsWho, what, when, where, whyInsert 2 quotes from witnessesPeople at the event/in the pictureIf you write small, use both quotes, if big- just oneAnswer What will happen nextuse remaining space to answer in 1-2 sentences

Answering Questions: News ArticleTipsUse yesterday as your WHENUse places, people, and ideas you are familiar withEx. St. Joan of Arc School, Barrie, you and your friendsUse the Rough Notes section to fill out the 3 sections first!!! Keep your sentences short and simpleRead an article from a newspaper before the test and identify the 3 sections for yourselfWhen finished, check to be sure your article is related to the heading and picture

Answering Questions: Short Writing TasksFollow a basic structureTopic SentencesSupportConcluding SentencesOnly 6 lines

Answering Questions: Short Writing TasksTips and strategiesIf its an opinion question, choose a side! Dont offer both sidesUse 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 opinionYou provided proofYou have a topic sentence and concluding sentenceAnswering Questions: Essay ResponseThe 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 pages. Answering Questions: Essay ResponseTips and StrategiesFollow the 5 paragraph structureIntroduction paragraphFirst argumentSecond argumentThird argumentConcluding Paragraph Answering Questions: Essay ResponseLike 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

Answering Questions: Essay ResponseIntroductory 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/EvidenceConcluding Sentence

Concluding Paragraph (5)Restate what you said in your introductory paragraph including the 3 points that you argued Answering Questions: Essay ResponseTips and strategies:Choose a side and stick to it! Dont 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!OSSLT: In ConclusionTake 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:Article5 Ws2 QuotesWhat will happen next?

OSSLT: In ConclusionEssay Response5 paragraphsIntroductionProof 1Proof 2Proof 3ConclusionShort AnswerTopic SentenceSupport Concluding Sentence

OSSLT: In ConclusionRemember: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!

ResourcesIf you need extra help:

Ask your English teacher

Go to our schools OSSLT blog:litprepjoa.wordpress.comDownload the practice bookletEmail me if you have questions

Go to the EQAO website:eqao.com

GOOD LUCK!