OSSLT Released Questions (2008-2009)

Who Ate Pasta First?

1. A “hotly debated question” (paragraph 4) is a question that is

   easy to answer

   rarely considered

   boring to think about

   passionately argued about
2. Why is Marco Polo mentioned in this news report?

   He is credited with inventing pasta

   He visited China in the 13th century

   He claimed the Italians invented pasta

   He brought noodles from Italy to China
3. The information in paragraph 4 is organized to

   compare and contrast ideas

   describe the steps in a process

   present events in chronological order

   provide details in order of importance
4. What evidence do researchers consider most convincing in answering the question of the origin of noodles?

   ancient menus

   preserved food

   personal accounts

   written documents
5. The archeologists described in this selection

   wrote a news report

   dug up an ancient object

   restored a prehistoric site

   discovered ways to preserve food
6. Explain whether this archaeological find settles the historical question about who invented pasta. Use specific details from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer.

   0

   10

   20

   30

Writing

1. Which of the following is written correctly?

   Is the amusement park in Ontario!

   Hooray! I won a free trip to the amusement park!

   Last March we planned a trip to the amusement park!!!

   Can you believe! that I won a free trip to the amusement park?
2. In which sentence of the following paragraph does the verb need to change to make the sentence correct?

   (1) Darren went to the store and bought a loaf of bread. (2) On his way home, he runs into his best friend. (3) He forgot he had to take the bread home. (4) Instead, he played games with his friend until dinnertime. (5) When he finally got home, his mother was very annoyed with him.

   sentence 1

   sentence 2

   sentence 3

   sentence 5
3. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   The high school team won the championship ___________ the captain’s injury.

   despite

   besides

   because

   although
4. Choose the best opening sentence for the following paragraph.

   ______________________________________. In 1999, at least six billion people lived on earth, and predictions indicate that another billion will be born by 2020. Scientists estimate that the world’s population will increase to nine billion by 2054 and ten billion by the end of the 21st century. Humans need to find a way to sustain a booming population and continue to provide everyone with the necessary resources.

   Population growth is an increasing concern.

   People predict the world’s population growth.

   There are enough resources on earth for everyone.

   Scientists believe that too many people live on earth.
5. Explain why it is important to learn about other cultures. Use specific details to support your answer.

   0

   10

   20

   30

News Report

1. Write a news report based on the headline and picture provided in the booklet.

   • 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.

   Student volunteers improve school grounds

   0

   10

   20

   30

   40

   50

   60

Reading

1. 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 word is closest in meaning to “emulate” as used in line 5 of this selection?

   imitate

   disguise

   advertise

   designate
3. In the sentence “The forest backdrop, stretching the full length of the hall, is the world’s largest colour photograph” (lines 7–8), the commas are used to

   set off a detail

   separate items in a list

   indicate missing words

   highlight contrasting information
4. According to this selection, the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s Aboriginal artifacts include

   glass cases

   rocks and minerals

   musical instruments

   stone tools and pottery
5. Which of the following items are contrasted in this selection?

   past and present visitors

   rocky and flat landscapes

   early and modern artifacts

   Aboriginal and present-day houses
6. Which word in the opening sentence best captures the meaning of the words “history and culture” in the final sentence?

   heritage

   birthday

   important

   preservation
7. Summarize this selection. Include a main idea and one detail that supports it.

   0

   10

   20

   30

Writing a Series of Paragraphs

1. Write a minimum of three paragraphs expressing an opinion on the topic below. Develop your main idea with supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc.).

   Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?

   0

   10

   20

   30

   40

   50

   60

Writing

1. Choose the sentence that correctly shows possession

   There’s land here.

   Their land is here.

   There is land here.

   They’re landing here.
2. Choose the sentence that is written correctly

   The mayor of Vancouver declared, The 2010 Winter Olympics will attract thousands of tourists.

   The mayor of Vancouver declared, “The 2010 Winter Olympics will attract thousands of tourists.”

   The mayor of Vancouver declared that “the 2010 Winter Olympics,” would attract thousands of tourists.

   The mayor of Vancouver, declared “that the 2010 Winter Olympics would attract thousands of tourists.”
3. Choose the option that best combines all the information in the following sentences:

   • The work is featured in the gallery.
   • The artist’s paintings are impressive.
   • Many people can view the paintings in the gallery.

   The artist’s impressive paintings are featured in the gallery, where many people can view them.

   Although the artist’s paintings are impressive, the work is featured in the gallery and many people can view them.

   Many people can view the paintings in the gallery because the work is featured, so the artist’s paintings are impressive.

   The paintings are featured in the gallery and the artist’s paintings are impressive when many people can view them.
4. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

   (1) Extracurricular activities can be an important part of school life. (2) Joining clubs can help students make friends and develop their skills and interests. (3) Good sportsmanship can be developed on school teams. (4) Learning skills are usually emphasized in school courses. (5) Students who participate in extracurricular activities enjoy many benefits.

   Sentence 2

   Sentence 3

   Sentence 4

   Sentence 5

Simon Jackson: Saving the Spirit Bear

1. The first endangered animal that Simon worked to protect was the

   panda.

   elephant.

   grizzly bear.

   Kermode bear.
2. The list of 60 “Heroes of the Planet” (paragraph 1) was most likely designed to honour outstanding

   achievement of personal goals.

   efforts in promoting youth issues.

   success in educating youth about animal life.

   contributions to environmental protection.
3. “The more he learned . . . .” (paragraph 2) refers to what Simon Jackson discovered about

   the way to protect grizzly bears.

   the preservation of national parks.

   the destruction of wilderness habitat.

   the need for an insight into this issue.
4. Simon’s first response to hearing about the spirit bear suggests he thought that

   there was little time to waste on talking.

   the best course of action was to raise funds.

   he should first gather information from a variety of sources.

   he should go to observe the Kermode bears in their coastal habitat.
5. The effect of repeating the word “between” in paragraph 4 is to

   emphasize Simon’s decision.

   highlight the demands of Simon’s busy life.

   show that Simon was uncertain about what he should do.

   indicate that the work of saving the bear was sometimes repetitive.
6. What evidence shows that the work of the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition was effective?

   Simon joined the coalition while in high school.

   Almost half the habitat of the bears was protected.

   Decision-makers invited Simon to their meetings about forests.

   Over 700 letters of support were sent to the British Columbia government.
7. What word would best replace the word “caretakers” as used in paragraph 8?

   parents

   citizens

   cleaners

   guardians
8. Simon chose to campaign for the spirit bear rather than another endangered animal because of

   the way it looks.

   where it is found.

   the support he received from the Youth Coalition.

   its importance as a symbol of youth around the world.
9. What is the purpose of the quotation at the end of this selection?

   to add more description to the paragraph

   to emphasize Simon Jackson’s viewpoint

   to provide an example of Simon Jackson’s work

   to show the importance of saving the spirit bear

Reading

1. Why does Pamela yell “Ouch”?

   James clips her by mistake.

   She is upset with her brother.

   She pokes herself while sewing.

   Her mother has stopped suddenly.
2. What is the purpose of the dash in paragraph 4 of this selection?

   to introduce a list

   to show an interrupted thought

   to present a contrasting viewpoint

   to develop an idea with more details
3. James says “Just call me the next hotshot designer!” (paragraph 8) because he

   designed Pamela’s dress.

   enjoys lecturing his sister.

   is inspired to become a designer.

   is making fun of his sewing skills.
4. When Mrs. Baker calls James an “innovative designer” (paragraph 11), she means he has done something

   skillful.

   helpful.

   beneficial.

   unexpected.
5. Which of the following occurred before the events in this selection?

   Mrs. Baker parked the car.

   James learned how to sew.

   Pamela chose a dress style.

   Pamela modelled her dress.
6. What do Pamela’s words and actions reveal about her character? Use specific details from the selection to support your answer.

   0

   10

   20

   30

7. Provide a title for this selection. Explain why your title is appropriate by using specific details from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer.

   0

   10

   20

   30

Short Writing Task

1. What is an effective way advertisers persuade teenagers to buy a product? Explain why this method is effective.

   0

   10

   20

   30

How an Eco-Friendly Fish Farm Operates

1. The arrows in this selection show that the water flows

   through the ponds and out into the river.

   in a complete, closed loop throughout the farm.

   from the fish tanks directly into the aeration pond.

   from the filter tank directly back into the fish tanks.
2. Two separate ponds are needed on this fish farm, so that

   fish have two areas in which to swim.

   there are two sources of fresh intake water.

   each pond can perform a different function.

   there are different habitats in which plants can grow.
3. The purpose of the “shallow filtration pond” is to

   grow water plants.

   mix oxygen into the water.

   drain solid waste from the water.

   remove chemicals from the water.
4. A pump is necessary in the fish farm to make the

   clean water flow faster.

   fish move from tank to tank.

   oxygen bubbles move around.

   water move up into the fish tanks.
5. The effective operation of all components of the fish farm ensures that

   solid waste is used to feed plants.

   water in the filtration pond has sufficient oxygen.

   new water is added to the system at several points.

   the fish have a continuous supply of aerated water.
6. The fish farm in this selection is “eco-friendly” because

   the farm reuses cleaned water.

   The farm uses organic fish food.

   gravity is the only source of power.

   a blower mixes oxygen into the water.