Language on the OSSLT

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