LITERACY TEST Thursday March 30th Please check the lists in the office to find out where you will write the test.

Day of the Test test begins at 9AM – arrive 15 minutes early find your room number from the list in the main office set your alarm and eat a healthy breakfast

Test Structure

The New Format - 2017 there are two parts of the test each part is made up of a Question Booklet and Answer Booklet ALL responses, including multiple choice and open response answers, are now written in the Answer Booklet

Things to Remember During the Test There are two parts to the test. You have 75 minutes to write each part with a 15 minute break in between. Once the first 75 minutes are up, you must hand in Part 1. You will work only on Part 2 in the second 75 minutes. Read each question carefully and be sure to answer exactly what the question is asking. Use the empty space provided in the ANSWER BOOKLET to formulate and plan your answers. Write all of your answers in the ANSWER BOOKLET to make sure that they are scored – NOTHING written in the Question Booklet will be scored.

Things to Remember Continued… Be sure to use all/most of the lined space provided Start with the long answer sections and work your way back to the multiple choice, in case you are short for time Answer EVERY question. If you are unsure of an answer, guess.

Literacy Test Blitz Week Monday— Period 1--Multiple Choice and News Report Tuesday—Period 1--Short Answer and Supported Opinion Paragraphs  Wednesday—Period 3--Book 1 Practice Thursday—Period 3--Book 1 Exemplars & Marking Guides If you want or need more practice, see Mrs. Johnston in Room 310.

Tips for Answering Multiple Choice Questions

Tip 1 Read the question first. Ask yourself: Is it asking for directly stated (explicit) ideas? i.e. Information that is found in the text… Or… Is it asking for indirectly stated (implicit) ideas? i.e. Information that is NOT found in the text, but instead is implied

D I R E C T QUESTION 1: What is the correct answer? Sofie took a deep breath and knocked on Mr. Patel’s office door. “Come in,” called Mr. Patel. “What can I do for you?” “Well,” Sofie hesitated. She was nervous talking to adults. “I have an idea for fundraising for the school library.” “Oh.” Mr Patel raised his eyebrows. “This sounds interesting. I would like to hear what you have to say. Please share your idea, Sofie” “Well, lots of people have books at home that they’ve read and don’t need anymore. What about organzing a book drive, then having a sale in the library? It would be a type of used-book fair.” Mr. Patel paused. “But who will sell the books, and how will we get people to attend it?” “I know lots of students who would love to help, and my dad is good friends with a famous author. I’m sure we could get him to come in and speak.” “And advertising…?” “We could post it on the school’s website and put it in the newsletters. There is also the sign in front of the school. We could include information during morning announcements and put posters up.” “Sounds like you’ve thought this through, Sofie. I think it might just work,” Mr. Patel remarked, rather impressed. “Thank you, Mr. Patel.” Sofie thought to herself, “I didn’t need to be nervous at all!” QUESTION 1: What is the correct answer? Why did Sofie take a deep breath before knocking on Mr. Patel’s office door? She was tired. She was nervous. C. She was confident. D. She did not like Mr. Patel. D I R E C T Is this question direct or indirect?

INDIRECT Is this question direct or indirect? Sofie took a deep breath and knocked on Mr. Patel’s office door. “Come in,” called Mr. Patel. “What can I do for you?” “Well,” Sofie hesitated. She was nervous talking to adults. “I have an idea for fundraising for the school library.” “Oh.” Mr Patel raised his eyebrows. “This sounds interesting. I would like to hear what you have to say. Please share your idea, Sofie” “Well, lots of people have books at home that they’ve read and don’t need anymore. What about organzing a book drive, then having a sale in the library? It would be a type of used-book fair.” Mr. Patel paused. “But who will sell the books, and how will we get people to attend it?” “I know lots of students who would love to help, and my dad is good friends with a famous author. I’m sure we could get him to come in and speak.” “And advertising…?” “We could post it on the school’s website and put it in the newsletters. There is also the sign in front of the school. We could include information during morning announcements and put posters up.” “Sounds like you’ve thought this through, Sofie. I think it might just work,” Mr. Patel remarked, rather impressed. “Thank you, Mr. Patel.” Sofie thought to herself, “I didn’t need to be nervous at all!” According to the selection, what would be most persuasive to Mr. Patel about his decision to support a used-book fair? A. The money that could be made B. The details had been thought through C. The advertising D. The books. What is the correct answer? INDIRECT Is this question direct or indirect?

Tip 2 Tip 3 almost least best none often always all never frequently Look for words that might be trying to trap you: almost usually often always least all none best never frequently Tip 3 Before looking at the answer choices, try to think of an answer on your own. With a self-generated answer in your mind, you are less likely to be tricked by the wrong answers.

Tip 4 Read through of the answers provided before choosing one. ALL Tip 5 Cross out any answers that are obviously wrong. Tip 6 Sometimes more than one answer might seem correct. Reread the question to choose the fit. BEST

Topic vs. Main Idea When a question asks you to find the topic of a passage, ask yourself “What is the passage about? What is the topic being discussed?” When a question asks you to find the main idea of a passage, ask yourself “What is the author saying about the topic? What is the points or thought being expressed?”

Example First determine the topic. Then ask yourself “What general point or message does the author make about the topic?” The Twin Peaks Secondary School hockey team recently held a fundraising dinner to help defray the costs of sending the team to the OFSAA hockey championship tournament. They were able to get Sidney Crosby as a guest speaker. The event was a huge success and the team raised $5000.

Question What is the main idea of the selection? The Twin Peaks hockey team The OFSAA championship tournament A fundraising event Sidney Crosby Answer: C

Final Points To Consider The best action is to pick an answer and move on to the next question. Do NOT leave questions blank. Stick with your first answer unless you recognize that it is clearly not correct - studies show that changed answers are more frequently wrong.

Let’s Try a Few Together Which of the following describes the use of the word skirt in the following sentence: Tom was uncomfortable talking about money, so he skirted the subject. Is it…? BEST A legless garment worn from the waist A flap on a saddle To pass along the edge of To avoid

DIRECT Example 2: INDIRECT Is this question direct or indirect? In a democratic society, a trial by jury allows the people of a community to participate in the legal system and to ensure that justice is done. The rights and liabilities of people in civil or criminal cases are based upon the facts of each case and how the law applies to those facts. The jury has to consider evidence given by witnesses. In considering testimony by a witness and the evidence presented, jury members must be fair and impartial. In returning a fair verdict, the jury fulfills the responsibility of ensuring that justice is done. The rights and liabilities of people in cases are based upon __________. the criminal.  the judge. the facts of each case and how the law applies to those facts. the witnesses. Considering the information presented in this paragraph, what type of person makes the best juror? an honest person  a creative person  an educated person  a sympathetic person What is the correct answer? What is the correct answer? Is this question direct or indirect? INDIRECT

Grammar Which Answers Can We Eliminate? On the OSSLT there will be several multiple choice grammar questions. Choose the sentence that has correct punctuation. His favourite vegetables are carrot’s, beet’s, and squash. His favourite vegetables are carrots, beets and squash. His favourite vegetables are, carrots, beets, and squash His favourite vegetables, are carrots, beets, and squash Which Answers Can We Eliminate?

Which option is a correctly written sentence? NOT She enjoys reading late at night. On their way to the grocery store. The teacher took attendance. He stopped to talk to the neighbours. Which Answers Can We Eliminate? Which Word in the Question is Meant to Trick You?

Which Answers Can We Eliminate? Why are parentheses around the word "concluding" in the following sentence? The closing (concluding) sentence of a paragraph usually restates the main idea in a slightly different way. To give another word for "closing" To emphasize the word "concluding" To define the word "sentence" To show the parts of a paragraph Which Answers Can We Eliminate?

Any Questions? 1. See Mrs. Johnston before school, at lunch, or afterschool in Room 310. 2. Look over the Lit. Test resources on our school webpage and at EQAO.com.