LITERACY TEST STRATEGIES

Literacy Test Format  The literacy test has a variety of reading selections and questions Types of Questions  Multiple choice  Short answer (3-5 sentences)  Long written response (newspaper article and series of paragraphs)

Types of Readings  Non-fiction (real-life topics – current affairs, history etc.)  Narrative (short story)  Graphic text (diagram, map etc.) Writing Conventions  There are also multiple choice questions about the use of punctuation, grammar, and organization

General Reading Strategies Before reading:  Read the title. What might the selection be about?  Look at any illustrations. What do they tell you about the story or subject?  Read all questions first.  Manage your time so that you complete all the sections.

During reading: Look for links between what you’re reading and experiences you’ve had. If you read a word you don’t understand, look for a root word that you know inside the larger word. Look for prefixes and suffixes. If you still don’t understand the word, read to the end of the sentence and look for clues to its meaning. Try reading the sentence before and after the sentence to see if you can find the meaning from the context.

 As you read, ask questions about what is happening.  Make predictions about what might happen next.  Form opinions about what is going on. Do you like the characters? Why or why not?  Picture the setting, events or images in your mind.

Examples from the OSSLT: Reading Selections

Non-Fiction Selection

Narrative Selection

Multiple Choice Strategies Before reading:  Read the multiple-choice questions before you read the passage so you know what information you are looking for.  Underline the information in the reading when you find the answers to questions.

After reading:  Circle words like “not” or “always” or “never”. These will trick you.  Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers. This way, the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.  Eliminate answers you know aren't right.  Read all the choices before choosing your answer.

 Don't change your answer unless you have found details in the reading to support the change. Usually your first choice is the right one, unless you misread the question.  In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer.  Once you’ve made a choice, go back to the reading to see if you can find supporting facts to justify your answer.  Record all answers on the scantron sheet.

Short Answer Strategies

You must stay within the lines provided.  If you have empty lines, you haven’t provided enough detail.  If you have gone past the lines, you’ve provided too much detail. Edit your work for the most important details.

Topic Sentence  Number of Sentences: 1  Purpose: To tell the reader what the paragraph is about  How: Use words from the question in your first sentence. Do not start to include details yet.

Body Sentences Number of sentences: 1-3 Purpose: To provide detail or reasons to answer the question. How: Each detail or reason is its own sentence. Use sentence starters like “First” (sentence 1), “Second” or “Next” or “Also” (sentence 2), and “Finally” (sentence 3).

Concluding Sentence  Number of Sentences:1  Purpose: To sum up the paragraph  How: Reword your topic sentence. Use words from the question again.

Example Question: Compare the Ottawa Senators to the Montreal Canadians Answer: The Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadians have a lot in common. First, they are both NHL teams. Second, they are both located in Canada. Finally, they both advanced it to the playoffs last year. These are the things that the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadians have in common. *Edit your work closely for grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors.

Your Turn: Multiple Choice and Short Answer Responses

Answers

Scoring Rubric: How You’re Answers will be Evaluated The above describes answers that are considered invalid and would be coded as a “zero” mark. There are three additional codes: 10, 20 or 30. Use the guides on the following pages, to determine which code your answer would earn.

What was your code?

Graphic Text Strategies What is a graphic text?  A graphic text uses words AND pictures to communicate information. What are some examples of graphic texts?  Posters, pamphlets, comic books, diagrams, instruction manuals, maps

Before reading:  Look at the whole graphic text. Locate the title, headings, captions, legends and pictures.  The title tells you what the graphic is about.  Headings organize the information into sub-topics.  Captions provide extra information.  Legends help you to understand how to read the graphic text.

During reading:  Read all the headings and examine how they are related to the graphic. Each heading has a purpose. The most important headings may be in capital letters, bold type, or a larger font.  Follow the arrows and lines. They may be used to show movement or direction, or connect to the things they name.  Look for the use of colours or symbols to emphasize important words and information.

Your Turn: Graphic Text

Answers

News Report

An Example from the OSSLT: Writing a News Report

Here’s an exemplar of a top mark response.

An Example from the OSSLT: Writing a Series of Paragraphs

An Example from the OSSLT: Writing Conventions