structure
logistics
sample questions/tasks
tips for taking the test
advice



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.




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)
STUDENTS WRITING THE LITERACY TEST
WARNING
8:15
8:20 – 8:30
Instructions
8:30 – 9:45
Booklet 1
BREAK
9:45 – 9:55
WARNING
9:55
10:00 – 11:15
Booklet 2
LUNCH
11:20 – 12:00
ALL STUDENTS
(including those that wrote the literacy test)
WARNING
12:05
Period 1
12:10 – 1:15
Period 5
1:20 – 2:24
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.


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.
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





a couple of pens/pencils
an eraser
a highlighter
Kleenex ….
no cell phones, Ipods, or electronic
devices of any kind
You will not be allowed to leave early –
you will sit and wait until the time is up.
The teacher supervising your room will
call the Main Office, and an adult will
escort you to and from the bathroom.
Reading selections:
Writing Tasks
information paragraph
(approx. 225 to 250 words
long)
– news report
– dialogue/story
(approx. 225 to 250 words
long)
– real-life narrative
(approx. 600 words long)
- graphic
(fewer than 150 words)
2 long-writing tasks
– news report (one page)
– series of paragraphs
expressing an opinion
(two pages)
Types of questions:
• multiple-choice
• open-response
(six lines each)
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
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 50 000 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
1.
a.
b.
c.
d.
The Grand Hall is shaped like a canoe because it
honours the architect
accommodates more visitors
represents Aboriginal heritage
permits more artifacts to be displayed
2. Which of the following items are contrasted in this
reading selection?
a. past and present visitors
b. rocky and flat landscapes
c. early and modern artifacts
d. Aboriginal and present-day houses
3. Which word is closest in meaning to “emulate” as used
in line 5 of this selection?
a. imitate
b. disguise
c. advertise
d. designate








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






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.
Poor
Answer –
too vague;
no detail
Better
Answer –
main idea
expressed;
specific
example
given





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.
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.
-no
paragraphing
-no lead
-no direct
quotation
-doesn’t answer
Where? When?
-expresses an
opinion – bias
-clear
paragraphing
- lead answers
Who? What?
Where? When?
-specific details
to explain what,
how and why
-no opinion
expressed
-still no direct
quotation






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.
Poor Answer
-too short
-opinion is
inconsistent
-no details or
specific reasons
for opinion
-no facts or
examples
-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
-a bit short
-opinion is clear
and consistent
-sufficient details
-general reasons
for opinion
-facts and
examples are
supplied
-organisation is
okay






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.






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.