EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A paragraph ends with: 'Clearly, community gardens benefit both individuals and neighborhoods.' What is the function of this sentence?

It quotes an expert source
It is a concluding sentence that reinforces the paragraph's main idea (Correct answer)
It provides a specific statistic
It introduces a new argument

Correct answer: It is a concluding sentence that reinforces the paragraph's main idea

A concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph by restating or reinforcing the main idea in fresh words.

Question 2: The price of a jacket is $120. It is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?

$30
$90 (Correct answer)
$85
$95

Correct answer: $90

25% of $120 = $30 discount; $120 − $30 = $90.

Question 3: A class survey found that 12 out of 30 students prefer science. What percentage prefer science?

30%
36%
45%
40% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 40%

12 ÷ 30 = 0.40, which equals 40%.

Question 4: When can a student who was absent during the primary EQAO assessment window make up the test?

The student cannot make up the assessment under any circumstances
During the designated makeup administration window specified by EQAO (Correct answer)
Whenever the classroom teacher decides it is convenient
At any time before the end of the school year

Correct answer: During the designated makeup administration window specified by EQAO

EQAO provides a specific makeup window for students who were legitimately absent, and schools must adhere to those scheduled dates.

Question 5: What is the primary role of EQAO's Chief Executive Officer?

To personally approve each student's individual assessment result
To represent Ontario at federal education ministerial meetings
To lead EQAO's day-to-day operations and implement its strategic mandate (Correct answer)
To develop and revise Ontario's curriculum policies

Correct answer: To lead EQAO's day-to-day operations and implement its strategic mandate

The CEO is responsible for leading EQAO's operations and ensuring the organization fulfills its legislated mandate effectively.

Question 6: Which Ontario ministry is EQAO most directly linked to?

Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Ministry of Education (Correct answer)
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Correct answer: Ministry of Education

EQAO is most directly linked to the Ontario Ministry of Education, which oversees K-12 education in the province.

Question 7: How are EQAO assessment results typically used by Ontario school boards?

To identify school improvement priorities and inform resource allocation (Correct answer)
To select students for gifted programs
To determine individual student grades on report cards
To rank teachers for merit-based pay

Correct answer: To identify school improvement priorities and inform resource allocation

School boards use EQAO results to identify areas needing improvement and to guide decisions about professional development and resource allocation.

Question 8: How is EQAO's strategic direction typically aligned with provincial government priorities?

Through monthly ministerial directives issued to the CEO
Through periodic multi-year strategic planning aligned with government priorities (Correct answer)
Through daily oversight by the Premier's policy office
Through annual budget negotiations only, with no longer-term planning

Correct answer: Through periodic multi-year strategic planning aligned with government priorities

EQAO develops multi-year strategic plans that are periodically reviewed and aligned with broader provincial government education priorities and commitments.

Question 9: How must schools submit accommodation information for EQAO assessments?

By emailing the classroom teacher's list to EQAO directly
By mailing paper forms to EQAO headquarters
By faxing forms to the district school board
By entering the information into the EQAO online portal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: By entering the information into the EQAO online portal

Schools use EQAO's secure online system to register students and document their accommodations before the assessment window.

Question 10: What is a 'cohort analysis' in the context of EQAO longitudinal data?

Tracking the same group of students across multiple EQAO assessments (e.g., from Grade 3 to Grade 6) to measure growth (Correct answer)
Comparing Grade 3 results from one year to Grade 3 results from the following year
Analyzing results from a single assessment administration across all grade levels
Grouping schools by size and comparing their average scores

Correct answer: Tracking the same group of students across multiple EQAO assessments (e.g., from Grade 3 to Grade 6) to measure growth

Cohort analysis follows the same students over time, revealing individual and group growth trajectories rather than comparing different groups of students at the same grade level.

Question 11: What is the PRIMARY purpose of the OSSLT for Ontario students?

To award a Grade 10 certificate of completion
To confirm that students have met provincial literacy standards required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Correct answer)
To measure science and mathematics proficiency
To determine university entrance eligibility

Correct answer: To confirm that students have met provincial literacy standards required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma

The OSSLT verifies that students meet the literacy reading and writing standards set by Ontario as a graduation requirement for the OSSD.

Question 12: What is the purpose of 'field testing' questions before they appear in a scored EQAO assessment?

To reward top-performing students with bonus marks
To teach students the content of upcoming assessments
To allow principals to preview the full test
To gather data on question difficulty and fairness before questions are used for scoring (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To gather data on question difficulty and fairness before questions are used for scoring

Field testing collects statistical data on how students respond to new questions, ensuring they are appropriately difficult and unbiased before being scored.

Question 13: Which of the following numbers is a prime number?

37 (Correct answer)
63
51
49

Correct answer: 37

37 is divisible only by 1 and itself; 49 = 7×7, 51 = 3×17, and 63 = 7×9.

Question 14: How is EQAO primarily funded to carry out its assessment mandate?

Through federal education grants distributed to all provinces
Through annual Ontario provincial government appropriations (Correct answer)
Through private corporate sponsorships and foundations
Through fees charged directly to students taking EQAO tests

Correct answer: Through annual Ontario provincial government appropriations

EQAO is funded through annual appropriations from the Ontario provincial government, consistent with its status as a provincial arm's-length agency.

Question 15: Which of the following numbers is divisible by both 4 and 6?

30
18
14
24 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 24

24 ÷ 4 = 6 and 24 ÷ 6 = 4, so 24 is divisible by both 4 and 6.

Question 16: A student reads: 'The council voted unanimously to reject the proposal.' What does 'unanimously' mean in this context?

After lengthy debate
With every member in agreement (Correct answer)
By a narrow majority
With great reluctance

Correct answer: With every member in agreement

'Unanimously' means all members voted the same way, with no dissenting votes.

Question 17: EQAO's mandate requires it to balance which two important but potentially competing goals?

Providing independent, credible assessment data and supporting school improvement across Ontario (Correct answer)
Publishing only negative results and simultaneously protecting teacher professional reputations
Increasing provincial test scores and simultaneously decreasing education spending
Maximizing the number of tests administered and minimizing overall student stress

Correct answer: Providing independent, credible assessment data and supporting school improvement across Ontario

EQAO must produce independent, credible data while also ensuring its findings are actionable and genuinely useful for improving schools and student outcomes.

Question 18: Which grade levels does TIMSS typically assess?

Grades 2 and 6
Grades 5 and 9
Grades 4 and 8 (Correct answer)
Grades 3 and 7

Correct answer: Grades 4 and 8

TIMSS assesses students in Grade 4 and Grade 8 to measure mathematics and science achievement.

Question 19: According to the EQAO's founding mandate, what is one of its primary responsibilities?

Accrediting teacher education programs at Ontario universities.
Developing and setting the provincial curriculum for all grades.
Mediating contract disputes between teacher unions and school boards.
Conducting province-wide tests at key stages and reporting the results. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Conducting province-wide tests at key stages and reporting the results.

EQAO's mandate is to conduct province-wide tests at key points in a student's education, such as Grades 3, 6, and 9, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). A core part of this mandate is to report the results to educators, parents, and the public to enhance accountability.

Question 20: Ken bakes 18 cookies and splits them evenly among his three brothers. How many cookies will each brother receive?

5
6 (Correct answer)
14
8

Correct answer: 6

To determine how many cookies each brother receives, you need to divide the total number of cookies by the number of brothers. Ken bakes 18 cookies and splits them evenly among his three brothers. Therefore, 18 divided by 3 equals 6, meaning each brother will receive 6 cookies.

Question 21: In a news article, the paragraph that immediately follows the headline and summarizes the entire story is called the:

Byline
Caption
Lead (lede) (Correct answer)
Editorial

Correct answer: Lead (lede)

The lead (or lede) paragraph appears right after the headline and answers the who, what, when, where, and why.

Question 22: What does EQAO do with aggregated school and board results?

Shares them only with individual school principals
Publishes them on its public website for community access (Correct answer)
Keeps them confidential for government use only
Destroys them after three years per privacy law

Correct answer: Publishes them on its public website for community access

EQAO publishes aggregated school and board results on its public website so communities and researchers can monitor trends in student achievement.

Question 23: How are EQAO assessment windows typically structured for schools?

Schools are assigned a multi-day administration window within which to schedule the test (Correct answer)
Each school selects any week in the school year they prefer
Assessments are conducted at a central regional location, not in individual schools
All schools write on the same single day province-wide

Correct answer: Schools are assigned a multi-day administration window within which to schedule the test

EQAO provides schools with a defined administration window of several days, giving flexibility in scheduling while ensuring province-wide comparability.

Question 24: What is the definition of denotation?

The literal definition of the term (Correct answer)
Words contain both personal and global connections
A word meaning that varies based on individual experiences
A word's meaning varies according on culture and socioeconomic status

Correct answer: The literal definition of the term

Denotation refers to the literal, dictionary definition of a word, stripped of any associated feelings or subjective ideas. It represents the objective meaning that is universally understood, regardless of context or personal experience. This is distinct from connotation, which encompasses the emotional, cultural, or implied associations a word carries.

Question 25: After EQAO assessments are completed, how long must schools retain accommodation documentation according to standard board policy?

According to the Ontario Student Record (OSR) retention schedule (Correct answer)
Documentation may be discarded once results are received
Until the end of the current school year
For the student's entire enrollment in the school board

Correct answer: According to the Ontario Student Record (OSR) retention schedule

Accommodation records tied to a student's assessment are part of the OSR and must be kept in accordance with Ontario's student record retention guidelines.

Question 26: What is the role of a 'psychometrician' in EQAO's assessment development process?

A measurement specialist who analyzes item statistics, ensures reliability, and guides scoring decisions (Correct answer)
An administrator who schedules test dates for schools
A professional who administers psychological counselling to stressed students during testing
A teacher who writes curriculum expectations

Correct answer: A measurement specialist who analyzes item statistics, ensures reliability, and guides scoring decisions

Psychometricians apply measurement science to evaluate item quality, ensure score reliability, and support the technical integrity of EQAO assessments.

Question 27: Which of the following scenarios would require a school to flag a student's EQAO result as 'exempted'?

The student's IEP team determined they are unable to participate even with accommodations (Correct answer)
The student completed the test in a separate room
The student used extended time of 30 minutes
The student used a calculator on the math section

Correct answer: The student's IEP team determined they are unable to participate even with accommodations

Exemption applies only when an IEP team determines that a student cannot meaningfully participate in the assessment even with all available accommodations.

Question 28: Where do subject sentences often appear in writing? Why?

The first transition statement strengthens the introduction argument.
At the end of each paragraph, offer a summary of the material.
At the beginning of an introductory paragraph, describe the primary idea of the written content for the reader. (Correct answer)
In the abstract to warn readers to the next topic matter.

Correct answer: At the beginning of an introductory paragraph, describe the primary idea of the written content for the reader.

The term 'subject sentence' in this context likely refers to a thesis statement, which is a core component of an introductory paragraph. Its primary function is to clearly articulate the main idea or argument of the entire written content for the reader. While often placed at the end of the introduction, its purpose is to establish the essay's focus and guide the reader's understanding from the outset.

Question 29: Which group of students may be deferred from writing the OSSLT?

Students who have not yet accumulated enough credits to be likely to benefit from the assessment (Correct answer)
Students whose parents formally object to province-wide standardized testing
All English Language Learners (ELL) automatically in their first year of study
Any Grade 10 student who requests a deferral for personal reasons

Correct answer: Students who have not yet accumulated enough credits to be likely to benefit from the assessment

Principals may defer students who have not accumulated sufficient credits, as they may not yet have the literacy skills that the OSSLT is designed to assess.

Question 30: In the EQAO Junior Division writing tasks, 'voice' in writing refers to:

The author's unique style and personality evident in the writing (Correct answer)
How loud the author speaks when reading aloud
The number of dialogue lines used in a story
Whether the text is written in first or third person only

Correct answer: The author's unique style and personality evident in the writing

Voice is the distinctive personality, tone, and style that makes a piece of writing sound like it comes from a specific individual.

Question 31: A student's written response receives feedback that it lacks 'coherence.' This means the response:

Contains too many spelling errors
Does not flow logically from one idea to the next (Correct answer)
Is too short to be evaluated
Uses overly complex vocabulary

Correct answer: Does not flow logically from one idea to the next

Coherence refers to logical flow and clear connections between ideas; a lack of coherence means ideas feel disconnected or disorganized.

Question 32: Which achievement level suggests a student is approaching but not yet meeting the provincial standard?

Level 1
Level 2 (Correct answer)
Level 3
Level 4

Correct answer: Level 2

Level 2 means a student is approaching the provincial standard with some understanding but has not fully met the expected criteria.

Question 33: On the OSSLT, what does a student need to achieve to be considered 'successful'?

Completion of all sections regardless of score, as effort is the criterion
A score of 75% or higher on all sections of the test
A teacher-validated portfolio submission in addition to the written test
A sufficient number of marks on reading and writing components to meet the provincial standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A sufficient number of marks on reading and writing components to meet the provincial standard

Students must achieve the provincial standard on both the reading and writing portions of the OSSLT to be deemed successful and meet the graduation requirement.

Question 34: Which of the following is the greatest? 3/5, 0.65, 62%, 0.6

0.65 (Correct answer)
0.6
3/5
62%

Correct answer: 0.65

Converting all to decimals: 3/5 = 0.60, 62% = 0.62, 0.6 = 0.60, and 0.65 is the largest.

Question 35: How many achievement levels are used in EQAO scoring?

6
4 (Correct answer)
5
3

Correct answer: 4

EQAO uses four achievement levels (1 through 4) aligned with Ontario's provincial report card levels to describe student performance.

Question 36: In the context of EQAO's cohort tracking data, what does the term 'Rose to Standard' describe?

Students who met the provincial standard in Grade 3 but did not meet it in Grade 6.
Students who were exempt from the Grade 3 assessment but met the standard in Grade 6.
Students who met the provincial standard in both Grade 3 and Grade 6.
Students who did not meet the provincial standard in Grade 3 but met it in Grade 6. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Students who did not meet the provincial standard in Grade 3 but met it in Grade 6.

EQAO uses cohort tracking to follow the progress of the same group of students over time. 'Rose to Standard' is the specific term used to identify students who were previously below the provincial standard (e.g., in Grade 3) and subsequently met the standard in a later assessment (e.g., in Grade 6).

Question 37: Which of the following transitions does not show distinctions between things:

similarly (Correct answer)
otherwise
on the other hand
opposite

Correct answer: similarly

Transition words are used to connect ideas and show relationships between them. Words like 'on the other hand,' 'opposite,' and 'otherwise' are all used to introduce contrasting or differing ideas, highlighting distinctions. In contrast, 'similarly' is a transition word specifically used to show likeness or comparison, indicating that two things are alike or share common characteristics, rather than distinguishing them.

Question 38: Which assessment specifically focuses on reading literacy among Grade 4 students internationally?

PIRLS (Correct answer)
PISA
TIMSS
PCAP

Correct answer: PIRLS

PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) measures reading comprehension among Grade 4 students worldwide.

Question 39: What does a sustained upward trend in EQAO results over five or more years most likely indicate about a school?

The school has been administering EQAO more times than required each year
The school has simply been lucky with the cohorts it has received over that period
Consistent improvements in curriculum alignment, instructional quality, or student support systems are taking hold (Correct answer)
EQAO has recalibrated its scoring scale to make it easier for students to achieve higher levels

Correct answer: Consistent improvements in curriculum alignment, instructional quality, or student support systems are taking hold

A sustained multi-year upward trend is strong evidence of systemic improvement in instruction, curriculum delivery, or student supports, as luck alone is unlikely to produce consistent gains over five-plus years.

Question 40: Which group of students may be eligible to receive their EQAO assessment materials in a language other than English or French as a special provision?

English Language Learners (ELLs) within their first year of enrollment in an English program (Correct answer)
Students whose parents speak a language other than English at home
Students who scored below Level 2 in prior years
All students in French Immersion programs

Correct answer: English Language Learners (ELLs) within their first year of enrollment in an English program

Recently arrived ELLs in their first year may access certain supports, though full translation is limited; specific provisions depend on current EQAO policy cycles.

Question 41: What type of information does an individual EQAO student score report typically include?

Performance level in each strand (reading, writing, mathematics) and a description of what each level means (Correct answer)
Recommended grade retention or promotion decisions
A percentile rank compared to every other student in Ontario
The student's raw number-correct score and class rank

Correct answer: Performance level in each strand (reading, writing, mathematics) and a description of what each level means

Individual reports show performance levels by strand along with descriptions of what each level indicates about the student's achievement relative to curriculum expectations.

Question 42: Jenny babysits on the weekends. She made $13.25 on Saturday and $20.50 on Sunday. How much did she make over the weekend?

$35.75
$30.00
$33.00
$33.75 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $33.75

To calculate the total amount Jenny made over the weekend, you need to combine her earnings from Saturday and Sunday. This involves adding the two amounts together. Adding $13.25 (Saturday) and $20.50 (Sunday) results in a total of $33.75. This sum represents her complete earnings for both days.

Question 43: A student reads a passage and notices the author repeatedly uses the phrase 'like a storm.' What literary device is this?

Simile (Correct answer)
Personification
Alliteration
Metaphor

Correct answer: Simile

A simile makes a comparison using 'like' or 'as,' so 'like a storm' is a simile.

Question 44: During EQAO assessments, what must teachers do if a student asks for clarification on a test question?

Read the question aloud and rephrase it in simpler terms
Allow the student to skip the question and return to it later
Tell the student they cannot provide any assistance with test content (Correct answer)
Suggest the student choose the most logical answer

Correct answer: Tell the student they cannot provide any assistance with test content

EQAO security protocols prohibit teachers from clarifying, rephrasing, or providing any hints about test content during the assessment.

Question 45: Which organization is responsible for developing and administering the EQAO assessments in Ontario?

The Canadian Council on Learning
The Ontario Ministry of Education
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (Correct answer)
The Ontario Teachers' Federation

Correct answer: The Education Quality and Accountability Office

EQAO is an independent provincial agency created by the Ontario government to provide assessment data for school improvement.

Question 46: A proctor notices a student using a dictionary not listed in the student's IEP mid-assessment. What is the correct action?

Remove the dictionary immediately and note the incident for reporting (Correct answer)
Allow the student to finish using it since stopping could cause distress
Allow it only if the student is an English Language Learner
Ask the student's teacher if it should be permitted before acting

Correct answer: Remove the dictionary immediately and note the incident for reporting

Only IEP-documented tools are permitted; unauthorized materials must be removed and the incident documented to preserve assessment integrity.

Question 47: When EQAO evaluates whether a student's writing has a clear beginning, middle, and end with ideas that flow logically, which writing feature is assessed?

Vocabulary
Sentence fluency
Organization (Correct answer)
Conventions

Correct answer: Organization

Organization refers to the logical structure of writing, including sequencing, transitions, and how ideas are arranged to guide the reader.

Question 48: What type of review panel does EQAO convene specifically to evaluate the cultural appropriateness of assessment materials?

An international curriculum alignment panel
A sensitivity and bias review panel with diverse community representation (Correct answer)
A financial audit panel
A parent council advisory committee

Correct answer: A sensitivity and bias review panel with diverse community representation

EQAO uses sensitivity and bias review panels composed of educators and community members with diverse backgrounds to flag potentially inappropriate content.

Question 49: Which organization is responsible for using EQAO data to inform provincial education policy decisions in Ontario?

The federal Department of Education
The Ontario Ministry of Education (Correct answer)
Local school councils
The College of Teachers

Correct answer: The Ontario Ministry of Education

The Ontario Ministry of Education uses EQAO data as one key input for developing and refining provincial education policy.

Question 50: A rectangle has a length of (2x + 3) cm and a width of 4 cm. Which expression represents its perimeter?

8x + 12
4x + 14 (Correct answer)
8x + 6
2x + 7

Correct answer: 4x + 14

Perimeter = 2(length + width) = 2(2x + 3 + 4) = 2(2x + 7) = 4x + 14.

Question 51: Which word is a synonym for 'eloquent'?

Blunt
Articulate (Correct answer)
Silent
Confused

Correct answer: Articulate

'Articulate' means expressing ideas clearly and effectively, which is the meaning of 'eloquent.'

Question 52: What does disaggregated EQAO data primarily allow school administrators to identify?

Individual teacher performance ratings
Achievement differences among specific student subgroups such as English language learners (Correct answer)
The names of students who need tutoring
Which test questions were most frequently skipped

Correct answer: Achievement differences among specific student subgroups such as English language learners

Disaggregated data breaks results down by subgroups (e.g., ELL students, students with IEPs) so educators can spot and address equity gaps.

Question 53: Solve for x: 3x + 9 = 30

x = 13
x = 3
x = 9
x = 7 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: x = 7

Subtract 9 from both sides to get 3x = 21, then divide by 3 to get x = 7.

Question 54: What is EQAO's primary mandate as defined in its enabling legislation?

To replace classroom assessments with standardized tests
To measure and report on student achievement to improve education quality (Correct answer)
To rank schools and publicly compare their performance
To certify teachers based on student test results

Correct answer: To measure and report on student achievement to improve education quality

EQAO's primary mandate is to measure and report on student achievement in Ontario to support improvement of education quality across the province.

Question 55: How does EQAO ensure consistency in scoring open-response (written) items across thousands of student papers?

By having a single expert score all papers alone
By converting all written responses to multiple-choice
By using detailed scoring rubrics and training markers to apply them reliably (Correct answer)
By asking students to self-assess their own written answers

Correct answer: By using detailed scoring rubrics and training markers to apply them reliably

EQAO develops detailed scoring rubrics and provides extensive marker training to ensure inter-rater reliability across large volumes of student work.

EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics

The EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics evaluates Ontario students' mathematical knowledge and skills against curriculum expectations, reporting achievement levels to support student learning.

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

70%

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