HEY YOU IN GRADE 10! How about a few pointers for that LITERACY TEST? By: [Your Name] [Your Teacher’s Name] [Your Grade]

ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL LITERACY TEST Thursday March 27, 2014

IN-CLASS MOCK TEST THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13 Those who do poorly on any section of the Mock Test will receive remediation in the library prior to the official test.

ORGANIZATION OF SLIDE SHOW Frequently Asked Qs Organization of Test General Tips READING General Hints Types of Questions Multiple Choice Open Response Summary WRITING General Hints Types of Questions News Report Series of Paragraphs Reminders for Test Day

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What will the test materials look like? Two test booklets and one Student Answer Sheet How long do I have to write it? Booklet 1 – 75 min. 15 min. break Booklet 2 – 75 min. 10 min. for questionnaire Where will I write it? In a classroom – you will receive information When will I know the results? In June

Now listen up! This is how the test is organized:

BOOKLET 1 1. ONE PAGE ARTICLE - READING 5 multiple choice questions A short written answer 2. GRAMMAR - WRITING 4 multiple choice questions 3. SHORT ANSWER - WRITING A personal topic 4. NEWS REPORT - WRITING A report for the news based on a headline and a photo 5. SHORT ARTICLE - READING 6 multiple choice questions A summary

BOOKLET 2 1. SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS - WRITING 3 paragraphs (your opinion) 2. GRAMMAR - WRITING 4 multiple choice questions 3. NEWS REPORT - READING 1 page article 9 multiple choice questions 4. DIALOGUE ARTICLE - READING 5 multiple choice questions 2 written answers 5. GRAPHIC TEXT - READING 6 multiple choice questions 6. PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Listen carefully! The following are general tips for the whole test:

TIPS FOR THE WHOLE TEST Read instructions very carefully Circle key directions on the question booklet Do exactly what you are asked to do (No more and no less!)

TIPS FOR THE WHOLE TEST (cont.) Leave no blanks Stay on topic Write on every line and do not write any part of your answer below the lines (It will not be marked!)

Now let’s go into the specific sections of the test.

READING

READING GENERAL HINTS BEFORE READING: Preview the text by skimming it Look carefully at the photograph or diagram Read the questions

READING GENERAL HINTS WHILE READING: Highlight or underline facts, details, or ideas that link to the questions

READING GENERAL HINTS AFTER READING: Identify the key words in the question Scan the text for these key words Answer every question!

READING There are three types of questions you will have to answer in the reading sections: 1. Multiple Choice 2. Open Response 3. Summary

READING 1. MULTIPLE CHOICE READING 1. MULTIPLE CHOICE *NOTE: Students do the most poorly on these types of questions! You will be asked three types of questions that demonstrate three different reading skills: 1. Reading “on the lines:” using the information that is directly stated in the text (literal meaning).

READING MULTIPLE CHOICE 2. Reading “between the lines:” using text as clues to make reasonable guesses about what is not directly stated in the text (making inferences) *Hint: These questions often start with “What is the most reasonable, likely or probable.”

READING MULTIPLE CHOICE 3. Reading “beyond the lines:” Using the text to make connections to ideas outside of the text (making connections)

READING 2. OPEN RESPONSE Answers are based on the reading Write your answers on the 6 lines provided ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

READING 3. SUMMARY Follow the directions exactly as stated: “Summarize this selection. Include a main idea and one detail that supports it.” Do not express your personal opinion

WRITING

WRITING GENERAL HINTS Language must be appropriate and formal (no slang) Use complete sentences Grammar, punctuation and spelling are evaluated in these sections

Your writing skills will be tested in four ways: 1. News Report 2. A Series of Paragraphs Expressing an Opinion (Essay) 3. Short Response 4. Multiple Choice – Grammar

WRITING NEWS REPORT Refer to both the image and headline Write in third person (she, he…) Write in past tense Include at least two quotations Have at least four distinct paragraphs Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are evaluated

WRITING NEWS REPORT (cont.)

WRITING SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS Write at least 3 paragraphs Introduction Paragraph(s) that develop ideas Conclusion State your opinion clearly at the beginning

WRITING SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS (cont.) Indent the first sentence of each paragraph Support your opinion by giving reasons, examples, facts, and details Fill both pages given Take time to make rough notes and/or an organizer to organize your ideas Correct grammar and spelling

ON MARCH 27TH REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:

1. Be well rested and eat a good breakfast.

2. Arrive at school early and know which room you have been assigned 2. Arrive at school early and know which room you have been assigned. *Some students failed last year simply because they were late!

3. Stay focused.

4. Answer ALL the questions.

5. Relax and show how clever you are! GOOD LUCK! Come and see Ms. Moher in the library if you would like a paper copy of this powerpoint.