PREPARING FOR THE

OSSLT(Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test)

WELCOME TO A SUPPORT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH SKILLS YOU WILL NEED AS YOU PREPARE TO WRITE THE LITERACY TEST ON MARCH 26, 2015.

FOR THE FIRST SESSION

For several parts of the Literacy Test, you will be reading passages and answering questions 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

understanding of ideas and information that are not stated directly and that require the reader to make conclusions

making of connections between personal knowledge and experience and the ideas and information in the reading selections (interpretation of meaning)

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.

GETTING IT RIGHT After you have read the passage and

highlighted it, re-read the multiple choice questions and answer them carefully.

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.

THE WRITTEN ANSWERS Repeat part of the question in your opening

sentence. Turn the question into a statement.

For example,Why is Lizarda a good choice for thisinternship? Use specific details fromthe selection to explain your answer.

Becomes: Lizarda is a good choice for this

internship for several reasons.

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:Lizarda is a good choice for this internship

because… Rather say…

Lizarda is a good choice for this internship for several reasons. (Then give support.)

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!

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.

SOME EXAMPLES TO GUIDE YOU

THE FOLLOWING SAMPLES SHOW THREE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MARKED RESPONSES FROM A RANGE OF 10-

30

10

NOW THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED A SECTION 1 PRACTICE LESSON, LET’S MOVE ON TO SECTION 2: WRITING

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.

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!

EXAMPLEQuestion 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.

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

BE MEANINGFUL AND SPECIFIC!!