OSSLT Released Questions (2014-2015)

A Huge Mural Marks a Graffiti Philosophy in Montreal

1. Why did Montreal establish a relationship with graffiti artists?

   to deal with vandalism

   to help politicians gain votes

   to honour famous entertainers

   to introduce citizens to local art
2. Which word is closest in meaning to “adamant” as used in paragraph 3?

   critical

   insistent

   annoyed

   surprised
3. What feature of Our Lady of Grace reflects an aspect of the neighbourhood’s diverse population?

   the work’s title

   the urban location

   the Caribbean birds

   the use of spray paint
4. How is the information in paragraph 7 organized?

   cause and effect

   question and answer

   comparison and contrast

   statement and explanation
5. What is the main idea of this selection?

   Artwork is very expensive.

   Artists require lots of space.

   Co-operation reduces conflict.

   Interest groups block progress.
6. Explain why Montreal’s approach to graffiti is beneficial. Use specific details from the selection to support your answer.

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Writing

1. Choose the best place to insert the following sentence.

   Industrialization was one cause of these changes.

   (1) In 1900, more than 85% of the world’s population farmed their own food. (2) However, several developments led people to move from the country to the city. (3) This new type of economy depended on factories that were located close to raw materials, power and transportation. (4) These sites attracted many workers. (5) Hence, there was a shift from rural settings to urban centres.

   after sentence 1

   after sentence 2

   after sentence 3

   after sentence 4
2. Select the best option to complete the sentence below.

   The menu offers ______ soup ______ salad with a meal for an additional $1.99.

   both, or

   maybe, or

   either, or

   neither, or
3. Which option shows how to make the following sentence correct?

   Halifax’s Pier 21, the former point of arrival for most new immigrants to Canada is now a museum and historical landmark.

   Add a colon after “arrival.”

   Add a comma after “Canada.”

   Remove the capital on “Pier.”

   Remove the apostrophe in “Halifax’s.”
4. Which sentence is correct?

   My father is feeling better for two weeks.

   I don’t remember how long I’ve had my car.

   I will be going on a bike ride, when I changed my mind.

   I promise Michael that I would pick him up at 10:00 p.m.

Short Writing Task

1. If your school could offer a new course, what would you want it to be? Explain your answer using specific details.

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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.

   School team qualifies for finals

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Reading

1. In what way is competitive ice sculpting different from an Olympic sporting event?

   The winners receive medals.

   The judges rate a created object.

   The competition requires strength.

   Each team includes representatives of only one country.
2. What does Rebholtz’s quotation in lines 4 and 5 contribute to the selection?

   an expert opinion

   a specific example

   a contrasting opinion

   a link between two topics
3. Why do Surfacing Kingfisher and The Birth of the Bluebird appear in italics?

   to highlight their success

   to signify their importance

   to show that they are artworks

   to indicate they are winning entries
4. What purpose does the phrase “but most important” serve in line 9?

   to highlight an item in a list

   to exclude an item from a list

   to emphasize balance in a list

   to establish time order in a list
5. Which event occurred first with respect to The Birth of the Bluebird sculpture?

   It was judged.

   Its last pillar was cut.

   It crashed to the ground.

   Its collapse was shown on YouTube.
6. What is the best meaning for “spectacle” as used in line 17?

   artwork

   celebration

   competition

   phenomenon
7. State a main idea of this selection and provide one specific detail from the selection that supports it.

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