Mastering Multiple Choice Questions Multiple Choice Questions and

Mastering Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions and the OSSLT You will be asked to answer multiple choice questions throughout the OSSLT. All of the reading sections (graphic and non-graphic) use multiple choice questions to assess your skills. There is also a small multiple choice section in the writing portion which relates to grammar, usage, vocab, parts of speech, etc. In other words…YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER Multiple Choice Questions

Reasons Multiple Choice Questions MAY be easier… 1. The answer is given to you!

2. You can guess (if you have to)!

3. Recognition is easier than recall (usually)

Types of Reading on the OSSLT • Information Paragraph Presents factual ideas and information on a topic • News Report Presents information in the form of a news story • Dialogue Presents a conversation between two or more people that is indicated by the use of quotation marks (“…”) • Real-Life Narrative Presents an account of a significant time in an individual’s life • Graphic Text Presents ideas and information with the help of graphic features such as diagrams, maps, etc.

Types of Reading on the OSSLT • Each reading selection focuses on 3 reading skills: 1. Understanding explicitly (directly) stated ideas and information. The answer can be found in the text 2. Understanding implicitly (indirectly) stated ideas and information. Using the facts and details from the text as clues to make REASONABLE predictions/guesses 3. Making connections between information and ideas in a reading selection and personal knowledge and experience. The answer comes from your own experiences, beliefs and background knowledge and how these connect to the selection. Text-to-Text-to-Self Text-to-World

5 Ways To Improve Your Success On Multiple Choice Questions 1. Read the question carefully! Circle, highlight or underline key words. Pay special attention to words that narrow response options like principal, primary, major. ONLINE OSSLT: Use the highlighter tool to draw attention to these words.

Highlight Tool

2. Predict an answer BEFORE looking at alternatives. Go back to the reading selection if necessary. Review any highlighted text.

3. Read through ALL of the answers. Try to find the one that matches your prediction.

4. Cross out any answers you know are wrong. Narrow your choices down to as few as possible. Sometimes there is more than one answer that may seem right. After you have ruled out choices you know are incorrect, you must select the best one. ONLINE OSSLT- Use the strikethrough tool. Click the icon and then click the statement that you know is false

Strikethrough Tool

RE-READ 5. You MAY need to re-read the question. This is OK!

6. Answer the questions you know first, and go back to the more difficult ones later. ONLINE OSSLT: Be sure to flag all questions you skip so you know to come back to them.

7. If the first option is a correct one, look at the last option to make sure it is not an “all of the above option” or “none of the above” option. In other words, read to the end. . . all possible answers!

Lets try some… • 1. Choose the sentence that has correct punctuation. a) When they had finished eating the children went outside to play. b) When they had finished eating the children, went outside to play. c) When they had finished eating, the children went outside to play. d) When they had finished, eating the children went outside to play.

Answer • Choose the sentence that has correct punctuation. a) When they had finished eating the children went outside to play b) When they had finished eating the children, went outside to play c)When they had finished eating, the children went outside to play d)When they had finished, eating the children went outside to play. • Sentences a, b, and d do not make sense because commas are either in the wrong place or missing. Is someone eating the children? NO, so place a comma before “the children” to let the reader know who the sentence is about. Sentence C is correct because the reader knows who is doing what.

Lets try some… 2. Choose the sentence that has the correct punctuation. a) His favourite vegetables are carrot’s, beet’s and squash b) His favourite vegetables are carrots, beets and squash c) His favourite vegetables are, carrots, beets and squash d) His favourite vegetables, are carrots, beet’s and squash

Answer a) b) c) d) His favourite vegetable are carrot’s, beet’s and squash His favourite vegetable are carrots, beets and squash His favourite vegetable are, carrots, beets and squash His favourite vegetable, are carrots, beet’s and squash • Sentence b correctly uses a comma to separate items in a list. • Sentence A is incorrect because of the ‘s • Sentences C and D have commas where they aren’t needed which leads to an awkward pause for the reader.

Lets try some 3. Choose the sentence that uses capitalization correctly a) For six years, she was the principal of Glenmore elementary school b) For six years, she was the Principal of Glenmore Elementary School c) For six years, she was the principal of glenmore elementary school d) For six years, she was the principal of Glenmore Elementary School

Answer • Choose the sentence that uses capitalization correctly a) b) c) d) For six years, she was the principal of Glenmore elementary school For six years, she was the Principal of Glenmore Elementary School For six years, she was the principal of glenmore elementary school For six years, she was the principal of Glenmore Elementary School • Capital letters are used at the beginning of sentences, names of people and places, titles, and headings • When a title refers to a person, ask if it is an official title or simply a job description. If the title comes before a name, it is probably an official title. For example “She was the school principal for many years” (job description) She wanted to become a police officer They notified Officer Jones about the robbery •

Lets try some… 4. Choose the sentence that has correct punctuation a) Will you help me put the groceries away she asked. b) Will you help me put the groceries away she asked? c) “Will you help me put the groceries away? ” she asked. d) “Will you help me put the groceries away. ” she asked?

Answer a) b) c) d) Will you help me put the groceries away she asked? “Will you help me put the groceries away? ” she asked. “Will you help me put the groceries away. ” she asked? • The question mark is part of the direct quotation • Quotation marks go outside of other punctuation. They are used to indicate someone is speaking.

Lets try some… 5. Why are parentheses around the words “tents, sleeping bags and clothes” in the following sentence? All of their camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, and clothes) got soaked when the canoe overturned. a) To emphasize the words b) To show that the words aren’t important c) To clarify what their camping gear was d) To define the words “camping gear”

Answer All of their camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, and clothes) got soaked when the canoe overturned. a) To emphasize the words b) To show that the words aren’t important c) To clarify what their camping gear was d) To define the words “camping gear” • Parentheses (brackets) are used to enclose extra information that helps clarify or explain the word or phrase just before them. • Words inside the parentheses don’t affect the meaning or flow of the sentence. If you take them out, the sentence is still complete.

Lets try some… 6. Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks. The blinding sun was a) causing b) making c) caused d) made Most children kindergarten a) get b) will have had c) will get d) have her to have headaches several vaccinations by the time they enter

Answers The blinding sun was a) causing b) making c) caused d) made Most children kindergarten a) get b) will have had c) will get d) have her to have headaches several vaccinations by the time they enter • The subject of a sentence needs to agree with the verb (singular- singular and plural to plural)

Lets try some… 7. Choose the best concluding sentence for this paragraph Rats are more than a nuisance. They cause damage to buildings, eat crops and food supplies and can spread deadly diseases. They are nearly impossible to get rid of. At best, we can accept that they are there and try to control them. Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to live in Alberta. a) For over 50 years, Alberta has been able to boast that it a rat-free zone b) New York City officials estimate that over 70 million rats live there c) Rats are not native to North America d) Because they are very clever and learn quickly, rats are often used in laboratory experiments.

Answer • Choose the best concluding sentence for this paragraph Rats are more than a nuisance. They cause damage to buildings, eat crops and food supplies and can spread deadly diseases. They are nearly impossible to get rid of. At best, we can accept that they are there and try to control them. Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to live in Alberta. a) For over 50 years, Alberta has been able to boast that it a rat-free zone b) New York City officials estimate that over 70 million rats live there c) Rats are not native to North America d) Because they are very clever and learn quickly, rats are often used in laboratory experiments Concluding sentences will link to the main idea (often stated in the first sentence). No new information will be introduced in the concluding sentence

Lets try some… 8. Choose the sentence that DOES NOT belong in the paragraph. (1) These are especially chewy and delicious fig bars that you’ll want to make over and over again. (2) For best results, follow the recipe closely and add ingredients in the order in which they-re listed. (3) Figs come in many varieties. (4) If you wait too long to add the water, the mixture becomes sticky and unmanageable. (5) But, if you follow the directions they are quick and easy, and will soon become a family favourite. a) Sentence 2 b) Sentence 3 c) Sentence 4 d) Sentence 5

Answer • Choose the sentence that DOES NOT belong in the paragraph. (1) These are especially chewy and delicious fig bars that you’ll want to make over and over again. (2) For best results, follow the recipe closely and add ingredients in the order in which they-re listed. (3) Figs come in many varieties. (4) If you wait too long to add the water, the mixture becomes sticky and unmanageable. (5) But, if you follow the directions they are quick and easy, and will soon become a family favourite. a) Sentence 2 b) Sentence 3 c) Sentence 4 d) Sentence 5 The format for all paragraphs is…introduction (introduce the main idea), supporting examples (examples and further development of the main idea), and conclusion.

Multiple Choice in Reading Sections • Read the selection on Viola Desmond. Civil Rights Pioneer. • Remember to read carefully and use all previous reading strategies learned/used today

Now… • 1. Read each question carefully, highlight key words • 2. Make a prediction. See if there is a match • 3. Cross out any answers you know are wrong • 4. If you still have no idea, guess!

• 1. Why did Viola Desmond decide to see a movie? a) b) c) d) She was travelling to nearby New Glasgow She was travelling from Halifax She needed to pass some time before work Her car broke down

Answer • 1. Why did Viola Desmond decide to see a movie? a) b) c) d) She was travelling to nearby New Glasgow She was travelling from Halifax She needed to pass some time before work Her car broke down • The answer is stated word for word in paragraph 2

• 2. Why does the usher tell Viola Desmond to move? a) The seat was reserved for someone else. b) She hadn’t paid for her ticket. c) She refused to pay the difference in cost between the two tickets. d) She wasn’t allowed to sit on the main floor.

Answer • 2. Why does the usher tell Viola Desmond to move? a) b) c) d) The seat was reserved for someone else. She hadn’t paid for her ticket. She refused to pay the difference in cost between the two tickets. She wasn’t allowed to sit on the main floor. • You will not find the answer to this question in the text. You will have to read “between the lines”. Collect the hints/clues and think about how to use the to form and answer that makes sense

• 3. Which of the events mentioned in paragraphs 4 and 5 happened first? a) b) c) d) Viola Desmond was thrown in jail. Viola Desmond appeals her conviction. Viola Desmond is convicted of tax evasion. Viola Desmond is charged with tax evasion

• 3. Which of the events mentioned in paragraphs 4 and 5 happened first? a) b) c) d) Viola Desmond was thrown in jail. Viola Desmond appeals her conviction. Viola Desmond is convicted of tax evasion. Viola Desmond is charged with tax evasion

• 4. What does Viola Desmond do to try and keep her seat on the main floor of theatre? a) She pays for her ticket and sits downstairs. b) She offers to pay the difference in cost between the two tickets. c) She ignores the usher. d) She threatens to call the police.

Answer • 4. What does Viola Desmond do to try and keep her seat on the main floor of theatre? a) She pays for her ticket and sits downstairs. b) She offers to pay the difference in cost between the two tickets. c) She ignores the usher. d) She threatens to call the police. Again, you will need to read “between the lines” to arrive at this answer

• 5. Why was Viola Desmond convicted for tax evasion? a) She was African – Canadian. b) She was charged with a seating violation. c) She did not pay for the tax that went with the higher-priced ticket d) She sat on the main floor of theatre.

Answer • 5. Why was Viola Desmond convicted for tax evasion? a) She was African – Canadian. b) She was charged with a seating violation. c) She did not pay for the tax that went with the higherpriced ticket d) She sat on the main floor of theatre. • You need to choose the best answer, or the answer that is most specific. While d is true, this action would not in itself have given her accusers the evidence to convict her of tax evasion.

more practice to come…