1. Reading tasks & Short written task
OSSLT Preparation
Reading tasks
&
Short written task

2. Reading Tasks Information paragraph (225 to 250 words)
News report (225 to 250 words)
Dialogue (225 to 250 words)
Real-life narrative (550 to 600 words)
Graphic text (fewer than 150 words)
You will have to read and answer questions on 5 different reading selections. Each reading selection will have both multiple choice and short answer questions.
There are 2 reading selections in one booklet and 3 in the other.

3. Reading Strategies

4. Before Reading: Scan the article first
What type of article is it?
eg. Informational, narrative, news report…
Read the title
Examine the picture
Ask questions and predict what the article is about

5. What does the title suggest about the subject?
What does the picture suggest about the subject?
This is an example of how to Preview or Scan the article…
Note that the paragraphs are numbered (small number in the margin) – Some questions will ask about a specific paragraph number
Note that this article was published in a local newspaper.

6. Before Reading: Read the Questions
Review the questions before reading the article
Highlight or underline important words in the question

7. This is an example of how to underline important key words and phrases.

8. During Reading: Read the article carefully.
Re-read sections you do not understand
Highlight or underline important phrases and words
Focus on ‘Big Ideas’
Underline important vocabulary

9. An example of how to underline key words and phrases in the article

11. After Reading Reflect on the purpose and main idea of the article
Be able to restate the main idea of the article

12. Multiple Choice Questions
Read the question carefully
Review the reading, and determine what you think is the answer to the question
Choose the most correct answer
If you are not sure, eliminate the choices that are wrong, and then make your best guess about the correct answer

13. There are a various types of questions on the OSSLT
There are a various types of questions on the OSSLT. Very few of the multiple choice questions will be “look ‘n find” questions. Most of the questions will require you to look in several places, or make an inference
From the OSSLT Study Guide - GREATER ESSEX COUNTY
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

14. Vocabulary Questions
Reread the sentence the word is in, and even the sentence before and after.
Try replacing each of the options for the vocabulary word to see which makes the most sense

15. Questions about Methods of Organization/Development
Examples include:
Cause and effect
Comparison
General to specific
Problem and solution
Chronological
If you are not sure, pay attention to ‘transitional’ words that might indicate the method of development
Ask students to explain or give an example of each method of development

16. Open Response Questions
Read the question carefully, and underline the important parts of the question; there are usually two parts to the question.
Use this following frame to answer the questions:
Respond: answer the question directly
Proof: support your response with a direct reference to the article
Comment: Explain how the example illustrates your point
You are given 6 lines to answer the question. You should fill the space.
Pay attention to how many details are required. Some questions will ask for details – Meaning more than 1

17. Open Response - Summary
After reading the selection, try to summarize the main idea of the article in one sentence, using your own words
Give one or two important supporting details
Do not copy lines from the article or use direct quotations
One of the open response questions will ask you to write a summary of the article.

18. Practice – Read the passage and answer the questions
Give students minutes to read the passage and answer the questions.
Then have students exchange papers with a partner
“Romans put a lock on love”

19. Multiple Choice Answers
Have students check their answers. Ask a student who got the question correct to explain why it is the correct answer and how they got it.

20. Exchange papers with a partner and mark your partner’s response
Exchange papers with a partner and mark your partner’s response. Which code would you give them and why?

21. Note that the question asked for details, so to get full marks (30) you must provide more than one detail

22. Short Written Response

24. Answering the Question
Plan your response using jot notes or a graphic organizer
Use the same “frame” for the open response:
Respond: answer the question directly
Proof: give an example
Comment: Explain

25. Practice – Short written response
Give students 10 minutes to answer the question.
Then show the rubric and annotated sample.
exchange papers with a partner for feedback.

26. Review the criteria for a Code 30 – the maximum points available for the short written response

27. Note that the student provides more that one detail or reason.

28. References
“Getting Ready Guide for Grade 10 Students”. EQAO. ready-guide-osslt-2015.pdf
“Grade 9 OSSLT Study Guide”. Greater Essex County School Board
“Planning and Preparation Guide: OSSLT” EQAO. preparation-guide-osslt-2015.pdf