Literacy Test Preparation

1. Written Answer(s) and Short Writing Tasks. Literacy Test Preparation

2. There are two kinds of shorter written tasks on the literacy test. Let’s look at the “Helpful Tips…” Handout (white ledger) (1) Reading- Written Answer(s) (2) Writing- Short Writing Task Read how they are different and similar on the handout.

3. (1) Reading – Written Answer. When you see “Reading – Written Answer(s)” at the top of the page it means the answer(s) is a Written Answer in response to a Reading. Literacy Test Preparation

4. Types of Reading Materials Let’s Review: • Information Paragraph- presents ideas and information on a topic in a single paragraph • Graphic Text- presents ideas and information with the help of graphic features such as diagrams, photographs, drawings, sketches, patterns, timetables, maps, charts or tables • News Report- presents information in the form of a news story • Real-life Narrative- presents an account of a significant time in an individual’s or objects life • Dialogue- presents a conversation between two or more people

5. What do the text based readings look like? • Readings are 1-2 pages in length • Either each paragraph is numbered OR lines are numbered. This is done for easy reference in the questions and for you to use in your answers • The readings include a picture or graphic related to the text

6. Helpful Tips ForReading – Written Answer(s) • These used to be called “Short Answers” but answers written by students in previous years were found to be too short. So they call it- Written Answer(s) now • You are given 6 lines to answer. • The answer should be a well-developed paragraph. • Each answer is assigned two marks : • Topic Development (main idea, supporting details and organization) • Use of Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) • Use the S.E.E.S. Method in the Rough Work area to organize your paragraph

7. S.E.E.S. method • Organize your Rough Notes area using the SEES method. Write down SEES vertically and then jot one or two words down for each letter organizing what you want to say. • S - Sentence 1 – Statement rewrites the question and gives a clear/specific answer to it. • E - Sentence 2 – Explanation / Examples from the text which support your opening statement. (could be more than one sentence) • E - Sentence 3 – Explanation / Examples from the text OR your own experiences which support your opening statement. (could be more than one sentence) • S - Sentence 4 – Summary statement • OSSLT always numbers their paragraphs or lines. So for sentences 2 and 3 it’s great to say “As seen in line 9…” • The two E’s might be combined into one sentence OR the last S might be omitted as you only have 6 lines to answer.

8. Here is an example of a Written Answer • from the March 2011 EQAO test provided by EQAO just for you

11. Marking Guide • Each Written Answer is assigned two marks. One for: • Topic Development (main idea, supporting details and organization) • Use of Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) • The following is the marking scheme for this question for Topic Development

13. Let’s see what a score of 10/30 looks like

14. Let’s see what a score of 20/30 looks like

15. Let’s see what the Rough Area might look like for a 30/30 • S – Rewrite Q. Dis. micro-organism P5 • E – Test hypothesis P6 • E - Solve problems worldwide (own idea) • S – No summary, after writing the S.E.E. out the student used all 6 lines as required.

16. Taking the S.E.E.S. And making a 30/30 paragraph S – Rewrite Q. Dis. micro-organism P5 E – Test hypothesis P6 E - Solve problems worldwide (own idea) S – No summary, after writing the S.E.E. out the student used all 6 lines as required.

17. Let’s try a Written Answer • with this Information Paragraph provided by EQAO just for you (open the ledger size white handout). • This one asks you to Summarize the selection which is a common question.

19. First, a close-up of the question

20. On the actual test there is a lot of space for Rough Notes. Use it wisely.

22. Use the S.E.E.S. Method in your Rough Work area to organize your work: S – Supporting argument E – Explanation / Example E – Explanation / Example S – Summary

23. Let’s see what a score of 10/30 looks like This response provides a correct main idea only (“It is one of the most visited museums in the world.”).

24. Let’s see what a score of 20/30 looks like

25. What Rough Notes might look like for a level 30/30 S – CMC b-day 2006 (line 1,2) E – Most visited (line 2,3,4) E – Website (line 15,16) S – Summary This student has decided that when they summarized the selection the main idea was all about the number of visitors. This information was all found at the beginning and end of the reading.

26. Let’s see what a score of 30/30 looks like S – CMC b-day 2006 (line 1,2) E – Most visited (line 2,3,4) E – Website (line 15,16) S – Summary • This student has decided that when they summarized the selection the main idea was all about the number of visitors. This information was all found at the beginning and end of the reading.

27. (2) Writing – Short Writing Task. When you see Writing – Short Writing Task at the top of the page it means the answer is a Written Answer and the entire answer comes from your own ideas. It is not based on a reading.

28. Here is an example of a Short Writing Task from The March 2011 test

29. Let’s see what a score of 10/30 looks like

30. Let’s see what a score of 20/30 looks like

31. What Rough Notes might look like for a level 30/30 S – Sister, job E – three years, loves it E – friends S – Summary The Rough Work area is not marked. You only need to write one or two words per S.E.E.S. As a reminder to yourself on how you are going to organize your thoughts.

32. Let’s see what a score of 20/30 looks like S – Sister, job E – three years, loves it E – friends S – By the time the student reaches the last S all six lines are full. But her point has been made. Stop writing. Going over the length will earn you a zero.

33. Let’s try one