Literacy Test Preparation

Reading, Multiple Choice and Short Writing Tasks

Information paragraph- presents ideas and information on a topic

News report- presents information in the form of a news story

Dialogue- presents a conversation between two or more people

Real-life narrative- presents an account of a significant time in an individual’s life

Graphic text- presents ideas and information with the help of graphic features such as diagrams, photographs, drawings, sketches, patterns, timetables, maps, charts or tables

Types of Reading Materials

Example of a Graphic Text:

Readings are typically 1-2 pages in length

Each paragraph is numbered for easy reference to questions

The readings include a picture or graphic related to the text

What do the readings look like?

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

2. Multiple-Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on the Student Answer Sheet)

3. Summarize the selection (reading). Include a main idea and one detail that supports it

Literacy Test Task

1. Examine the parts of the text Read the title Scan all headings Examine any illustrations Read the content of all boxes Identify the topic of the text

2. Read the questions Identify, highlight or underline the key

words in the questions

What to do BEFORE you read:

Read the text carefully

Underline or highlight important information and ideas as you read

As you read, think about what you are reading and ask yourself questions about it

Look for links between what you are reading and experiences you have had

Reading

Read the entire selection, including answer choices, before choosing an answer

If more than one choice seems to be right, choose the one which seems to be MOST correct

Beware of “distracters.” Some answers are designed to lead you away from the correct answer

Answering multiple choice questions

Use the “process of elimination” to select the correct answer; rule out the wrong answers before filling in your response on the answer sheet

If you have no idea what the correct answer is, make an “educated guess” by reviewing the reading again

Do not leave any question blank

Test Instructions – Multiple Choice

Underline, circle or highlight important instructions and key words in the questions to make sure that you understand what you are being asked to do

Make notes throughout the text to identify important information (who, what, when, where, why and how- what is the main idea? What details help you determine the main idea?)

Answering short writing tasks (including a summary)

Include specific details and relevant information in your answers

Think of links between the topic, your knowledge and personal experiences

Answer all questions in full and complete sentences

Your answer should fill in the space provided, do not write more or less

Edit your work for spelling, grammar and detail

Test Instructions – Written Answers

Tips for SuccessF.A.M.E.

The lines provided for you outline the expected length of your answers

If you write more than the space provided, you will receive a mark of zero on that question

Use the rough work areas to help you plan your answer before writing it in the lines provided

Write clearly and to the point

Fill in all lines

Do NOT leave any of the questions blank

You do not lose marks for incorrect answers, but you will receive failing marks for unanswered questions

Answer in complete sentences

Answer all questions

Underline, circle or highlight important instructions and key words in the questions to make sure that you understand what you are being asked to do

Make notes throughout the text to identify important information such as the 5Ws and H and the topics of each paragraph

Make notes as you read

Review and edit all parts of your work

Check to see that you have answered all questions fully and correctly

Correct any grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors

Add to your answers if you have not filled in all of the lines for the long writing tasks

Edit your work

Mary Nanavati – Principal Fletcher’s Meadow

Created by: Candice Lande, Fletcher’s Meadow

Modified by: Susan Bell Louise Arbour SS

Credits