LITERACY TEST PREPARATIONLanguage on the OSSLT

ARE YOU READY FOR THE LITERACY

TEST?

AFTER THIS WEEK YOU WILL BE!

About the test

All grade 10 students (and second time writers) will write the literacy test on March 27

You must pass the test in order to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma

If you do not pass the test you can re-write the test or take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course

Our goal is to prepare you well so that you will be successful on your first try- you need to take this seriously!

About the test continued

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) has reading and writing activities

There are two booklets; you get a break in between

The questions can be: multiple choice, short writing tasks and long writing tasks

You will also write a News Report and Series of Paragraphs (an essay)

Key Words

You will be asked to compare, define, describe, determine, explain, identify... etc.

In this lesson we will review what these key words mean

It is very important that you read the questions on the literacy test carefully to be sure you are doing what is asked

Compare means…….

To identify what is the same To explain the difference between two or

more things TIP: Include examples that show how the

things are similar or different in one or more important ways

DEFINE!!!!!

Define means…..

To state the meaning of the word or phrase being defined

TIP: The response should include the meaning and

enough detail to distinguish its meaning from similar words or phrases.

DESCRIBE

Describe means…

Use words to create a mental picture of what is being described for the reader

TIP: The response must give the characteristics

and key features of what is being described in an organized manner

DETERMINE!!!

Determine means…

To show a solution to a problem using logical reasoning or mathematics

EXPLAIN

Explain means….

Provide specific and relevant supporting details

TIP: Show the link between the explanation and

the idea or point being explained

IDENTIFY

Identify means….

To provide the name of a person, place or thing, or for a reason

TIP: The response must use information from the

reading selection

JUSTIFY

Justify means…

To give reasons, evidence and/or calculations to show why an answer, argument or conclusion is correct

PREDICT

Predict means….

To identify what may happen based on the information provided in the reading selection or mathematical question

Predict means….

To identify what may happen based on the information provided in the reading selection or mathematical question

SUMMARIZE

To Summarize means….

To concisely identify the main idea and give relevant, supporting details from the original text

USE YOUR IDEAS

!!

To Use Your Own Ideas to support your answer means….

To include your prior knowledge and experience of the topic from the reading selection to develop the main idea of the answer

LIST

List Your Information means….

To include information in point form

List Your Information means….

To include information in point form

Credits

Adapted from original presentation by: Jeff Bertrand, Jeff Brinson, Dale Simnett and

Darren Reed of Bramalea SS

Your Task:

Complete Section A: Matching on your worksheet.

Your teacher will take the answers up as a class.

Your Task:

Complete the reading and then answer questions 6 and 7.

Be sure to pay attention to the language used! Your teacher will review the answers when

complete.

Question 6

Question 7