Parentheses ( )

› Another word for brackets

Colon :

› Introduces a list

Comma

› Separate word in a list, to add

details/additional information, to separate

contrasting parts of a sentence.

Italics italics › For a title, to emphasize a word

Ellipsis … › To indicate missing words

Hyphen/Dash – › All words beginning with self, ex, to join

compound words, to separate additional/interesting ideas

Punctuation and Quotations “ ” › Used to write someone’s exact words and

around titles of tv episodes, short stories, and articles

1. DO NOT GUESS!

2. Read each question carefully. Focus on the key words. • If the question asks you to choose the sentence with

correct capitalization, then that is the only thing you need to worry about.

3. Remember to use your strategies for multiple choice questions. Cross out any answers that have obvious mistakes right away. • Once you have eliminated the obvious incorrect

responses you will probably have two choose between two answers.

4. Strategies to choose between the two you have left: • If you are asked to pick the correct example, read

them over quickly, and if one makes you stumble as you read it, it is probably wrong.

• If it helps, whisper them out loud … quietly.

• If you have to pick the example that works best, check to see that all parts are correct. The one that has all parts used correctly should be the correct answer.

5. Remember to feel free to write on the test. You can cross things out, underline, highlight or whatever will help you.

Choose the sentence that uses capitalization correctly.

A The OSSLT will be written by all Grade 10 students on thursday, march 29th, 2012.

B The osslt will be written by all Grade 10 students on Thursday, March 29th, 2012.

C The osslt will be written by all grade 10 students on thursday, march 29th, 2012.

D The OSSLT will be written by all Grade 10 students on Thursday, March 29th, 2012.

SHORT WRITING TASK

Students are asked to respond to a question by expressing personal thoughts and feelings.

An open response question is similar to an opinion question “Tell me how you feel and why”.

The response only requires about six lines of writing.

Students will be asked to complete 2 open response questions on the OSSLT.

Students must support their ideas with

examples.

The response needs to be on-topic and

answer the prompt.

Response should answer the question

“why” and be written in correct

sentences.

Use part of the question in your response

(first sentence)

Sample Open Response Question

If you could visit anywhere in the world

which place would you visit? Explain

why.

Code 30

This response is CODE 30 because it identifies a place to visit

(“Rome”) and explains the choice with reasons that are specific and relevant to that place (“look upon the Coliseum” … “stand

within great ruines of the past”).

CODE 10 CODE 20 CODE 30

Descriptor

“Topic

Development”

Response is not

developed or is

developed with

irrelevant ideas

and information

Response is

developed with

vague ideas

and information;

it may contain

some irrelevant

ideas and

information

Response is

developed with

clear, specific

and relevant

ideas and

information

Content

Main idea stated in topic sentence (personal thought or opinion)

Supporting details directly related to the main idea (minimum of one supporting detail)

Clear explanation

Organization

Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation

Complete sentences

Complete the following sections in your

Practice Booklet

Section II and VII (Grammar and

Sentence Structure, Multiple Choice)

Section III and X (Open Response)