Tips and Tricks to Ace the OSSLT on. Thursday, March 26, 2015

Transcription

1 Tips and Tricks to Ace the OSSLT on Thursday, March 26, 2015

2 Important Reminders! Be on time! Check the room lists before the test. If late, report to the office: no additional time provided Bring pens (blue or black ink) and pencils and an eraser highlighter will be provided No cell phones or electronic devices allowed in the room (EQAO Rule!) Leave in your locker or it will be placed in a bin during the test

3 Test at a Glance Activity Booklet 1 (Reading and Writing) Break Booklet 2 (Reading and Writing) Questionnaire (Booklet 2) Allotted Time 75 minutes 15 minutes 75 minutes 10 minutes

4 Test Day Schedule (subject to change) 8:55 a.m. Students proceed to test rooms 9:00 a.m. Students admitted to test rooms and instructions are read 9:10-10:25 a.m. Booklet 1 of the OSSLT 10:25-10:40 a.m. Break (refreshments provided) 10:45-12:00 p.m. Booklet 2 of the OSSLT 12:05-12:10 p.m. Time for questionnaire 12:10-1:00 p.m. Lunch (no cafeteria service) 1:00-3:10 p.m. Independent Study

5 Format of the Test Booklets Only answers in the Answer Booklet will be scored!

6 Booklet Tip

7 More Booklet Tips

8 What s Inside the Booklets?

9 What do I Need to Pass? You need a score of 300 points to reach the provincial standard of Level 3 and pass the OSSLT. Level 3 = B or 75% That s why we say: Take a guess, Jess! No blanks, thanks! Fill the space, Grace!

10 Reading Tips Read the questions first. This will help you predict what the reading selection is going to be about. Skim the selection and then read it closely. Underline or highlight important information and ideas as you read.

11 Reading Tips As you read, think about what you are reading and ask yourself questions about it. If you don t understand a word, read to the end of the sentence and look for clues to its meaning. If this doesn t help try reading the sentences before and after the sentence to see if you can find the meaning from the context.

12 Types of Reading Questions There will be two types of questions about what you have read: 1. Multiple Choice 2. Open Response (6 lines)

13 Multiple Choice Instructions Be sure your answers are in the Answer Booklet!

14 Multiple-Choice Questions Instructions from the test: Choose the best or most correct answer for each question. What does this mean? More than one answer may sound good. There may be a few answers that seem correct. Only the BEST answer will do. Only the MOST CORRECT answer will do.

15 Multiple Choice Questions on Readings There are two types of multiple choice reading questions. 1. Right There or Explicit Questions The answer is actually IN the reading. Go back to the reading and find the answer. Don t trust your memory! From the sheet, Pete!

16 Sample Right There Questions What happened first? According to this selection, what happened to Doug Gilmour s Stanley Cup ring? What do confectioners do? In what year did the events of the story take place? Where were the members of the crew of the Milan taken when they were rescued? From the sheet, Pete!

17 Multiple Choice Questions on Readings 2. Detective or Implicit Question This question asks you to find the answer after doing several things or reading in several places and then putting that information together. From your head, Fred!

18 Sample Detective Questions What does the final sentence suggest about Jon? In paragraph 5, Sahid wrinkled his nose to show Jon that he does not Which word has the same meaning as congestion as used in paragraph 2? Which word best describes the first championship rings? From your head, Fred!

19 What s the Best Approach? 1. READ the questions first. 2. ELIMINATE: Find the answers that are clearly wrong. Cover up all answer choices but one. Look at that one answer choice and look for anything that is clearly wrong. Eliminate that answer. Uncover each of the other answers and repeat the last step. 3. CHOOSE the best answer amongst the good ones. Compare the remaining good answers and try to see which one is best It is true more often? It is stated more completely? Look for words like always, sometimes, often, occasionally, never. Re-read the question and re-read a section of the text if appropriate.

20 Open Response Reading Task Instructions Write legibly (neatly) on the lined space provided in the Answer Booklet. There is space in the Answer Booklet for rough notes. Nothing you write in these spaces will be scored.

21 Sample Open Response Questions to Readings Explain why this project is a good learning experience for the students involved. Use specific details from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer. Explain whether or not Jon and Sahid are good friends. Provide specific evidence from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer. TIP: Underline or highlight everything you are required to do.

22 Strategies for Open-Response Reading Tasks Read the question carefully highlighting what you need to do to answer the question fully. In your first sentence, answer the question using the key words of the question in your answer. In the next sentence(s) provide specific and relevant details from the reading selection and your own ideas to support your answer. Re-read your response and correct any errors you notice. Keep your answer within the six lines provided.

23 Common Reading Question! State a main idea of this selection and provide one specific detail from the selection that supports it. A main idea of this selection is One specific detail that supports this idea is Rough Notes Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored.

24 Scoring for Open Response Reading Questions Code Code 10 Code 20 Code 30 Descriptor response indicates minimal reading comprehension response provides minimal or irrelevant ideas and information from the reading selection Write something for at least 10 points! response indicates some reading comprehension response provides vague ideas and information from the reading selection; it may include irrelevant ideas and information from the reading selection response indicates considerable reading comprehension response provides accurate, specific and relevant ideas and information from the reading selection

25 Writing Tasks Multiple Choice Questions on Grammar and Organization Opinion Paragraphs (6 lines each) - 1 in each booklet News Article (one page) - Booklet 1? Series of Paragraphs Expressing an Opinion (2-page essay) - Booklet 2?

26 Multiple Choice Grammar

27 Multiple Choice Strategies Answer every question no blanks Eliminate wrong answers if two seem correct, choose the BEST one Don t skim for answers you MUST read the text carefully even if it seems obvious, double check! Read the questions aloud in your head. Grammar questions will include: punctuation, capitalization, combining ideas into one sentence, fill-in-the-blanks, sentence structure, etc.

28 What are the Writing Tasks Worth? Two Short Writing Tasks (6 lines): 50 points each Topic Development: 10, 20, or 30 Conventions: 10 or 20 Series of Paragraphs (2 pages): 100 points Topic Development: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 Conventions: 10, 20, 30, or 40 News Report (1 page): 100 points Topic Development: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 Conventions: 10, 20, 30, or 40 From your head, Fred! No right or wrong here you make up all the information.

29 Short Writing Tasks

30 Previous OSSLT Short Writing Tasks Identify an important environmental issue. Use specific details to explain why it is important. Identify the ideal destination for a high school field trip. Explain your choice with specific details. What is the best advice you have ever given to someone? Use specific details to explain your answer. Suggest one improvement that could be made to your school building or its grounds. Use specific details to explain why it would be an improvement. What would be the ideal job for you? Use specific details to explain your choice.

31 Strategies for Short Writing Tasks (6 lines) Read and re-read the question carefully and highlight what you need to do to fully answer the question. Think of links between the topic and your knowledge and personal experiences. Use the Rough Notes area to plan your answer. Develop ONE main idea using specific and relevant details. Re-read your response and correct any errors you notice. From your head, Fred! Have a plan, Stan!

32 How to Structure your Answer In your first sentence, state your answer to the question. Hint: Repeat the key words of the question. e.g. What was your favourite game as a child? Explain why you liked it. My favourite game as a child was hide-and-go-seek. In your next sentence(s), explain your answer giving reasons and specific details. Hint: Using the word because in your answer will help you include explanations. I liked hide-and-so-seek because I also liked it because In the final sentence, sum up what you ve said (conclude). Fill the space, Grace! (But don t go over the six lines.)

33 Scoring for Short Writing: Topic Development Code Code 10 Code 20 Code 30 Descriptor Response is not developed or is developed with irrelevant ideas and information Writing something gets you points! Response is developed with vague ideas and information; it may contain some irrelevant ideas and information Response is developed with clear, specific and relevant ideas and information

34 Scoring for Short Writing: Conventions Write more than one sentence to earn at least 10 points! Minor spelling and grammar mistakes will still score 20 points!

35 The News Report

36 How to Write the News Report Have a plan, Stan! Your news report must relate to the photo and the headline. Use the rough notes area to make up the specific facts about the event: the Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? Include quotations from participants, organizers, witnesses. Write in the third person (he, she, they) and past tense. Organize the information logically into paragraphs. Use the entire space provided (one page). Proofread and correct your work.

37 Who What Where When Why How Quotes:

38 On March 26, 2015, the students at Port Perry High School received new computers as a reward. TIPS Write about an event that occurred recently. Use the past tense. Stick to facts - no opinion. Use third person (he, she, they). Begin with when. Use short paragraphs. Principal Thompson said, This will make a huge difference for our students.

39 Scoring: Topic Development

40 Scoring: News Report Conventions (spelling, grammar)

41 Series of Paragraphs (2 pages)

42 Previous OSSLT Series of Paragraphs Questions Do teenagers place too much importance on what they wear? Is participation in extracurricular activities an important part of secondary school life? Are cellphones necessary in teenagers lives?

43 Strategies for Writing a Series of Paragraphs (essay) Have a plan, Stan! Read the topic question and choose your position. IMPORTANT: Argue one side only. Come up with 3 arguments/subtopics/main points/reasons for your opinion. Come up with the evidence (examples/facts/explanations) to support each of your arguments Use the Rough Notes space in the Answer Booklet to make your plan.

44 Sample Plan for Body Paragraphs Reason 1 evidence fact example explanation Reason 2 evidence fact example explanation Reason 3 evidence fact example explanation

45 Sample Plan for Body Paragraphs S S S E E E E E E E E E C C C Think BURGER Intro and Conclusion

46 Strategies for Writing a Series of Paragraphs (essay) Write an introduction that includes your position and your three arguments. Write a body paragraph for each argument. Use transition or linking words at the beginning of each body paragraph (One reason, another reason ). Write a conclusion to sum up. Proofread and correct your work. Be sure to indent paragraphs clearly!

47 Scoring: Topic Development

48 Scoring Guide: Conventions (spelling, grammar)

49 For more information Visit the Students/Literacy test page of our school website to find The schedule for the day A Getting Ready Guide Tip Sheet for using the new booklet format Links to the EQAO site with tests from previous years and sample scored responses

50 To Review Your goal: Score more than 300! Read closely and carefully. Don t skim! Answer every question. Answer every part of every question. Write clearly and in complete sentences. Fill the spaces by planning your answers. Provide specific details to support what you say. Be serious and appropriate. Adults are marking these.

51 Remember these phrases: No blanks, thanks! Your best guess, Jess! From the sheet, Pete! Have a plan, Stan! From your head, Fred! Fill the space, Grace!

52 Final Tips: Get enough sleep the night before. Eat a good breakfast. Manage your time to complete all tasks. Visualize your success. You have the skills and the knowledge! Good luck!

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