1. EQAO Literacy test Thursday, march 31st
structure
logistics
sample questions/tasks
tips for taking the test
advice

2. What is the OSSLT?
The OSSLT is a provincial test of literacy (reading and writing) skills students have acquired by Grade 10.
It is based on the literacy skills expected in The Ontario Curriculum across all subject areas up to the end of Grade 9.
It is a graduation requirement.

3. Details of the Day Administration Date: March 31, 2011
Test Materials: 2 test booklets, with one Student Answer Sheet
Duration: 2.5 hours of testing time in total
Results: an Individual Student Report indicating whether you are successful or unsuccessful (mid-June 2011)

4. March 31st Schedule STUDENTS WRITING THE LITERACY TEST ALL STUDENTS
WARNING
8:15
Instructions
8:20 – 8:30
Booklet 1
8:30 – 9:45
BREAK
9:45 – 9:55
9:55
Booklet 2
10:00 – 11:15
LUNCH
11:20 – 12:00
ALL STUDENTS
(including those that wrote the literacy test)
12:05
Period 1
12:10 – 1:15
Period 5
1:20 – 2:24

5. Time? How long will it take me to write the test?
The allotted time for each of the two sessions is
one hour and 15 minutes. It is very important
that you manage your time properly to complete
the entire test.

6. And if I fail? You can take the test again the following year.
You can also talk to your parents or guardians and your school principal and/or teacher about taking the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) instead of retaking the test.

7. Where do I write the test?
The tests and writing rooms are organised in alphabetical order – not by homeroom. Homeroom teachers will give inform you of your writing room – please write it down. Lists will also be posted in the Main Office windows. Trial Run – Wednesday before Period 2

8. What should I bring? What should I NOT bring?
a couple of pens/pencils
an eraser
a highlighter
Kleenex ….
What should I NOT bring?
no cell phones, Ipods, or electronic devices of any kind

9. And if I have to go to the bathroom?
And if I finish early?
You will not be allowed to leave early – you will sit and wait until the time is up.
And if I have to go to the bathroom?
The teacher supervising your room will call the Main Office, and an adult will escort you to and from the bathroom.

10. What is on the test?
Writing Tasks 2 long-writing tasks – news report (one page) – series of paragraphs expressing an opinion (two pages) 2 short-writing tasks (generally opinion questions - six lines each) What are they looking for? – developing a main idea with supporting details – organization of ideas – language conventions
Reading selections:
information paragraph
(approx. 225 to 250 words long)
– news report
– dialogue/story
– real-life narrative
(approx. 600 words long)
- graphic
(fewer than 150 words)
Types of questions:
• multiple-choice
• open-response
(six lines each)

11. Sample: Reading Selection & Mulitple Choice Questions
In 2006, the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) celebrated its 150th birthday as an
important centre for the preservation and presentation of Canadian heritage. It is one of
the most visited museums in the world. Nearly 1.4 million visitors a year marvel at its
collection and also at the building itself. Architect Douglas Cardinal designed the curving
shape of the building to emulate the way Canada’s rocky landscape was carved by glaciers
and rivers. The Grand Hall, which is shaped like a canoe, displays the world’s largest
collection of totem poles as well as six Pacific coast Aboriginal houses. The forest
backdrop, stretching the full length of the hall, is the world’s largest colour photograph.
The museum’s first exhibits in 1856 were a few glass cases containing rocks, minerals and
Aboriginal artifacts such as stone tools, pipes and pottery collected by geologists and
explorers. Over the years, the collection developed along with the country, becoming more
diverse and modern. Today, the CMC’s collection includes items from the ancient past to the
present day, from gigantic Haida canoes to a guitar used by rock star Randy Bachman
(of the group the Guess Who). Only a portion of the museum’s acquisitions is on display at
once, but over artifacts can be seen online. About 10 million people around the
world log on to the museum’s Web site each year. Real and virtual visitors to the CMC
have found a rewarding way to explore Canada’s rich and varied history and culture.
Grand Hall

12. 1. The Grand Hall is shaped like a canoe because it
a. honours the architect
accommodates more visitors
represents Aboriginal heritage
permits more artifacts to be displayed
Which of the following items are contrasted in this reading selection?
past and present visitors
rocky and flat landscapes
early and modern artifacts
Aboriginal and present-day houses
Which word is closest in meaning to “emulate” as used in line 5 of this selection?
imitate
disguise
advertise
designate

13. Strategies for answering Multiple Choice Questions
underline/circle/highlight key words in the question
always read all of the choices – a) might look like a good answer, but it might not be the best answer
eliminate the answers you know are wrong
think of these as true/false questions
get rid of answers with negatives or absolutes
read slowly and reread the question & answers to make sure you’re reading what’s actually written
remember, you’re looking for the best answer
answer every question

14. Strategies for Short Open-Response Reading Questions
Read and reread the question carefully.
Keep your answer within the six lines provided.
Answer the question using specific and relevant details and information from the reading selection.
Make connections between the ideas and information in the reading selection and your own experience.
Reread your response and correct any errors you notice.
For example: Summarize this selection. Include a main idea and one detail that supports it.

15. Sample: Short Writing Tasks
Poor Answer – too vague; no detail
Better Answer – main idea expressed; specific example given

16. Strategies for the Short-Writing Task
Opening and closing sentences - and they have to match!
Read and reread the question carefully.
Think of connections between the topic and your knowledge & personal experiences – always give an example.
Answer the question using specific details and relevant information.
Reread your response and correct any errors you notice.

17. Sample: News Report Student volunteers improve school grounds
Task: Write a news report based on the headline and picture on the next page.
• You will have to make up the facts and information, answering some or
all of the following questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
• You must relate your newspaper report to both the headline and the picture.
Purpose and Audience: to report on an event for the readers of a newspaper
Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate length of the writing expected.

18. Poor Answer – Level 10/60 no paragraphing no lead no direct quotation
doesn’t answer Where? When?
expresses an opinion – bias

19. Better – Level 40/60 clear paragraphing
lead answers Who? What? Where? When?
specific details to explain what, how and why
no opinion expressed
still no direct quotation

20. Strategies for the News Report
Look closely at the headline and picture.
Think of an event that relates to them.
Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm!
Make up the information and specific details/facts as you answer some or all of the following questions: what, how, why?
Your lead/first paragraph must answer these questions:
Who? What? Where? When?
Write your report using the third person.

21. Sample: Series of Paragraphs Expressing an Opinion
Poor Answer
too short
opinion is inconsistent
no details or specific reasons for opinion
no facts or examples

22. Better Answer still too short opinion is inconsistent few details
vague reasons for opinion – good ideas from the first paragraph are not developed
no facts or examples
poor organisation

23. Even Better Answer a bit short opinion is clear and consistent
sufficient details
general reasons for opinion
facts and examples are supplied
organisation is okay

24. Strategies for the Series of Paragraphs
Read the topic question and decide what position you will take in your response.
Stick to your position! – no flip-flops!
Clearly state your opinion at the beginning of your response.
Write at least three paragraphs. Include an introduction, 1-2 body paragraphs and a conclusion.
Support your opinion with reasons and relevant examples or facts.
Make sure the divisions between paragraphs are clear.

25. Advice the books won’t give you!
Answer every question – even if you’re guessing!
Brainstorm your answers – especially for the long writing tasks
Read the selections, read the questions, then read the selection again
Read carefully!
Fill the lines – if you’re typing, fill half! Don’t go over – they won’t mark what’s not on a line.
Choose to do the harder/longer tasks first.

26. Questions?