GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS

         ONTARIO LITERACY TEST

          1. Carefully listen to the directions provided by the teacher:

* ensure that the numbers of the barcode on the test and the multiple choice answer sheet all match - if there is a problem let the teacher in charge know immediately.

2. All work is to be done in pencil (provided) for the multiple choice - other answers may be done in pen.

3. There are no PED’s (Personal Electronic Devices) allowed. Those students requiring electronic supports will be provided with equipment requried.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1.        Read the ENTIRE question carefully

2.        Consider the answers available and scratch out on the test book those answers which are sure are wrong.

3.        Once you answer the question (fill in the bubble completely, move on to the next question - often your first answer is the correct one.

4.        If all else fails sometime the “all of the above is correct” if it is an available answer - if you must guess answers b or c are often better choices than a and d.

WRITING SELECTIONS

           The Literacy Test may include the following types of questions:

*          News report

*          A series of paragraphs expressing an opinion

*          Short writing tasks, 6 lines in length (approximately) which demonstrate your writing ability in a response based on knowledge and personal experience.

*          Multiple choice which deal with the three writing skills - developing a main idea, organizing information and appropriate use of grammar.

When answering any of the written responses:

1.        Stay on topic.

2.        Ensure that all spelling, sentence structure and grammar is correct.

3.        All sentences must be full and complete.

Reading Information Paragraphs

The types of questions from the Information Paragraph reading often use phrases such as “explain” or “in your opinion”. You will be asked to use information from the reading to support your answer. If the questions asks for 3 reasons, provide 3 reasons to support your answer. Be specific and stay to the topic. If the question asks for your opinion, start with “In my opinion...” If the question asks you to explain it is often as a “cause of” and “solution”. Start your answer as “The cause of ......” and “the solution is.....” Use information from the reading to support your answer.

Reading News Report

This will be a selection of reading of an article strucutred as an article from a newspaper of magazine. The questions often will start with “why” and “what” and will ask for your opinion. To answer these questions use information from the article but also express your own ideas as well. When a question begins with “why” ensure that you express your answer using information from the article and your own ideas. Start your answer as “The reason for ......”. If the question asks “What” it is asking for your opinion. Start your answer as “In my opinion......” and include information from the reading and personal information as well.

Reading Dialogue

This article will be written in the first person, that is, a written record of a conversation. The questions associated with this type of reading often ask you to “identify and explain....” something in the article and simply “explain”. Ensure that when asked to identify two or three pieces of information from the article that you do so and explain the information within your answer. When explaining use your personal views and opinions but always refer to information in the article.

Writing A Series Of Paragraphs Expressing An Opinion

1.        Opening paragraph express your opinion and three supporting reasons or ideas which support your opinion - should be 3-4 sentences.

2.        Three paragraphs will follow each paragraph about one supporting reason or idea - each papagraph will be 3-4 sentences.

3.        Your concluding paragraph in which you re-state your opinion and summarize your three supporting reasons or ideas - the conclusion will be 3-4 sentences in length.

Writing A News Report

When writing a news report it should be structured in the following manner:

1.        The headline which is the title of the article

2.        The lead which is intended to catch the readers interest, introduce the topic and answer briefly the who, what, where, why and when (W5) questions. This paragraph is usually about 3-4 sentences.

3.        Important facts paragraphs which are short 2-3 sentences each.

4.        The facts paragraphs which are also short and are 2-3 sentences each.

Make use of quotations to indicate who said what with regard to the topic - make it up and make it good. The entire news report should be about 18 - 24 sentences in length.