OSSLT Released Questions (2017-2018)

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.).

   Does homework improve learning?

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Writing

1. Choose the sentence that does not belong in the following paragraph.

   (1) The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide program provides service dogs to Canadians with disabilities. (2) Puppies attend a training school after spending their first year with a foster family. (3) The foster family teaches puppies basic obedience and exposes them to everyday experiences. (4) The puppies can be taught many tricks. (5) A puppy wearing a green Lions Foundation jacket is likely training for a future of service.

   sentence 2

   sentence 3

   sentence 4

   sentence 5
2. Choose the best place to insert the following sentence.

   Dried fruit, on the other hand, requires no preparation and is a good option for some people if time is limited.

   (1) If you plan ahead, it is easy to have healthy choices on hand when you are hungry. (2) Raw vegetables, such as peppers or cucumbers, are easy to eat on the go but require some effort to cut up. (3) These natural snacks will help you avoid eating junk food. (4) When you make nutritious choices, snacks can give you what you need to keep going throughout the day.

   after sentence 1

   after sentence 2

   after sentence 3

   after sentence 4
3. Which option tells how to make the following sentence correct?

   What’s clear is that when people exercise, they increase the amount of a particular protein, that acts like fertilizer for the brain.

   Remove the second comma.

   Remove the apostrophe in “Whatʼs.”

   Replace the first comma with a colon.

   Replace the period with a question mark.
4. Which sentence is written correctly?

   She sings better than I do.

   Him and I attended the party.

   Carolina’s gift is from she and me.

   Us students are most likely to succeed.

Canada’s Young Rock Stars: The Brothers Dubé

1. Where are the Brothers Dubé from?

   Ottawa

   Toronto

   California

   Tennessee
2. Which event happened first?

   The band released an EP.

   The band posted a song on YouTube.

   The band was invited to play at the CNE.

   The band raised money for orphans in Haiti.
3. How is the information in paragraphs 3 to 6 organized?

   from past to present

   from general to specific

   as a problem and solution

   as a comparison and contrast
4. Which word is closest in meaning to “philanthropy” as used in paragraph 5?

   talent

   popularity

   generosity

   imagination
5. Which quote best captures the unique aspect of the bandʼs success?

   “Itʼs pretty crazy, considering that Iʼm 12 years old.” (paragraph 2)

   “Weʼre just trimming it down slowly and redefining who we are as time goes on.” (paragraph 6)

   “We donʼt want to become really big really fast.” (paragraph 10)

   “We just love playing music.” (paragraph 10)
6. Why hadnʼt the Brothers Dubé gone on tour yet?

   Their voices were changing.

   They had to finish school first.

   They had been busy recording.

   They were very involved with charity work.
7. What does paragraph 8 emphasize about the boys?

   their passion for music

   their ambition to be famous

   their ongoing sibling tension

   their strong personal relationships
8. What is the function of the dashes in paragraph 5?

   to add emphasis

   to set off a definition

   to indicate a shift in topic

   to indicate an interrupted thought
9. Why did Liam say “We have time on our side” (paragraph 10)?

   The brothers practise daily to improve their skills.

   The brothers balance school, charity work and music.

   The brothers have played music since they were young.

   The brothers have many years in which to build a career.

Reading

1. What do the verbs in paragraph 1 suggest about Olivia?

   She is excited.

   She is curious.

   She is nervous.

   She is discouraged.
2. What does the dash in paragraph 5 introduce?

   a change of topic

   a list of examples

   three unrelated ideas

   a long pause in the conversation
3. Why does Olivia state that “skilled trades will make up 40 percent of new jobs” (paragraph 8)?

   to explain that job prospects in the trades are poor

   to persuade Anton that he should consider a new trade

   to confirm that she’s making an informed choice about her future

   to show Anton that she already knows about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
4. Which of the following events occurs first?

   Olivia decides to sign up for OYAP.

   Olivia tries to choose her Grade 11 courses.

   Anton completes a four-credit co-op placement.

   Olivia and Anton research OYAP admission requirements.
5. What does the word “delved” (paragraph 11) indicate about Olivia’s actions in paragraphs 11 to 13?

   She reacts with surprise.

   She skims the screen quickly.

   She slouches more in the chair.

   She searches the site more thoroughly.
6. What do Anton’s words and actions reveal about his character? Use specific details from the selection to support your answer.

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7. Why is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program a good option for some students? Use specific details from the selection to support your answer.

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Short Writing Task

1. Name an event you would like to attend. Use specific details to explain why you would like to attend this event.

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Energy Usage in Ontario, 2013

1. What trend does the “Household Energy Usage” graph demonstrate?

   no change

   sudden change

   gradual change

   unpredictable change
2. What information is provided in the “DID YOU KNOW?” section at the bottom of the page?

   Energy usage is linked to consumer purchases.

   Energy usage varies according to the size of the household.

   Energy usage per household is typically constant from month to month.

   Energy usage depends primarily on the time of day when the appliance is used.
3. Which statement describes the organization of the pie chart?

   The sections are ordered alphabetically.

   All sources of renewable energy are grouped together.

   All sources of fossil fuel energy are grouped together.

   The sections are ordered clockwise from largest to smallest percentage.
4. What is the purpose of the asterisk (*) beside the word “Conservation” in the upper‑right box?

   to add emphasis to the heading

   to direct the reader to the graph

   to link a word to its explanation

   to separate the heading from the year
5. Why does the selection include information about surfing the Web, baking a cake and ironing shirts?

   It compares renewable sources of energy.

   It shows how to reduce energy consumption.

   It ranks household activities in order of importance.

   It provides real-life examples to explain energy consumption.
6. Which graphic feature of this selection could demonstrate whether the Green Button Initiative has been successful?

   the percentages in the pie chart

   the line in the “Household Energy Usage” graph

   the bars in the “Household Energy Usage” graph

   the number of shirts in the “How Much Energy Is in a Kilowatt Hour (kWh)?” text box