OLNA Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A recipe for concrete requires cement, sand, and gravel in the ratio of 1:2:4. If a builder uses 10 bags of sand, how many bags of gravel will be needed?

20 bags (Correct answer)
5 bags
10 bags
40 bags

Correct answer: 20 bags

The ratio of sand to gravel is 2:4. This can be simplified to 1:2, meaning for every one part of sand, two parts of gravel are needed. If the builder uses 10 bags of sand, they will need twice that amount of gravel, which is 10 x 2 = 20 bags.

Question 2: A pie chart is used to show a company's budget allocation. The 'Marketing' slice takes up exactly half of the chart. If the total budget is $500,000, what does the chart indicate about the marketing budget?

The marketing budget is $250,000. (Correct answer)
The marketing budget is the smallest part of the budget.
The marketing budget is $100,000.
The marketing budget is equal to the research budget.

Correct answer: The marketing budget is $250,000.

A pie chart represents a whole (100%). If a slice takes up half of the chart, it represents 50% of the total. 50% of $500,000 is $250,000, so this is the amount allocated to marketing.

Question 3: A gardener is planning a new L-shaped garden bed. One rectangular section is 4 metres long and 2 metres wide. The other adjoining rectangular section is 3 metres long and 2 metres wide. What is the total area of the garden bed?

11 m²
14 m² (Correct answer)
18 m²
22 m²

Correct answer: 14 m²

The L-shaped garden can be split into two separate rectangles. The area of the first rectangle is calculated as length × width (4m × 2m = 8 m²). The area of the second rectangle is also length × width (3m × 2m = 6 m²). The total area is the sum of these two areas: 8 m² + 6 m² = 14 m².

Question 4: In informative writing, which of the following should be avoided?

Including relevant facts and definitions
Using biased or one-sided language to influence the reader (Correct answer)
Presenting information in a logical order
Organising information with headings

Correct answer: Using biased or one-sided language to influence the reader

Informative writing should remain objective and neutral; biased language undermines the credibility of the information.

Question 5: A movie starts at 7:45 PM and has a runtime of 130 minutes. There are no advertisements or trailers. At what time will the movie finish?

10:05 PM
9:55 PM (Correct answer)
9:15 PM
10:15 PM

Correct answer: 9:55 PM

The runtime of 130 minutes is equal to 2 hours and 10 minutes (since 130 ÷ 60 = 2 with a remainder of 10). Add 2 hours to the start time of 7:45 PM to get 9:45 PM. Then, add the remaining 10 minutes to get the final time of 9:55 PM.

Question 6: Which option best combines the following two sentences into one clear and effective sentence? 'The team celebrated their victory. They had trained hard all season.'

The team celebrated their victory, they had trained hard all season.
The team celebrated their victory, also they had trained hard all season.
The team celebrated their victory and trained hard all season.
The team, who had trained hard all season, celebrated their victory. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The team, who had trained hard all season, celebrated their victory.

This option correctly uses a non-restrictive clause ('who had trained hard all season') to add extra information, creating a sophisticated and fluent sentence. Option A is a comma splice, a common grammatical error. [3, 17] Option B changes the original meaning by suggesting the training happened at the same time as the celebration. Option D uses 'also' incorrectly.

Question 7: A student writes an informative text about climate change. Which of the following improvements would make it more effective?

Adding subheadings to organise different aspects of the topic (Correct answer)
Replacing facts with the student's personal opinions
Using informal slang throughout the text
Removing all statistics and replacing them with metaphors

Correct answer: Adding subheadings to organise different aspects of the topic

Subheadings improve the organisation of an informative text by breaking content into clearly labelled sections.

Question 8: In a jar of 20 marbles, there are orange, purple, and red marbles. A marble is chosen at random from the jar. Eli wants either an orange or a purple marble. What is the probability of Eli getting what he wants?

3/20
1/2
3/5 (Correct answer)
7/20

Correct answer: 3/5

Explanation: The probability of an event happening is: What you want divided by the total number of outcomes. In the jar, there are eight red, three orange, and nine purple marbles. The total number of marbles is 20. Eli wants an orange or purple marble, of which there are 12.

Question 9: Which of the following sentences correctly uses an apostrophe to show a contraction?

Its important to check your work for errors.
They're planning to visit the museum tomorrow. (Correct answer)
Your going to do well on the assessment.
The dog wagged it's tail excitedly.

Correct answer: They're planning to visit the museum tomorrow.

The word 'They're' is the correct contraction for 'They are'. 'Its' is possessive, 'Your' should be 'You're' (you are), and 'it's' (it is) is needed in the last option, not the possessive 'its'.

Question 10: Read the following sentence: 'The citys main attraction, the old clock tower, is currently under repair.' Which word contains a punctuation error?

attraction,
under
citys (Correct answer)
tower,

Correct answer: citys

The word 'citys' requires an apostrophe to show possession. Since the city possesses the main attraction, the correct form is 'city's'.

Question 11: A scatter plot shows the relationship between the hours students spend studying and their final exam scores. The points on the plot generally trend from the bottom left to the top right. Which of the following is the best interpretation of this plot?

Studying for more hours causes a student to fail.
There is a negative correlation between study hours and exam scores.
There is a positive correlation between study hours and exam scores. (Correct answer)
There is no correlation between study hours and exam scores.

Correct answer: There is a positive correlation between study hours and exam scores.

When data points on a scatter plot trend upwards from left to right, it indicates a positive correlation. This means that as one variable (study hours) increases, the other variable (exam scores) also tends to increase.

Question 12: An advertisement reads: 'Limited stock — order today to avoid disappointment!' What is the advertiser implying?

The product is of poor quality
The product may sell out soon (Correct answer)
The product is free of charge
The product has unlimited availability

Correct answer: The product may sell out soon

Phrases like 'limited stock' and 'avoid disappointment' imply urgency because supplies may run out quickly.

Question 13: In the sentence, "The old map was so fragile that it had to be handled with extreme care," which word has the closest meaning to fragile?

ancient
complicated
delicate (Correct answer)
valuable

Correct answer: delicate

The word 'delicate' is the best synonym for 'fragile'. Both words mean easily broken or damaged. While the map might also be ancient or valuable, 'fragile' specifically describes its physical condition that requires careful handling.

Question 14: Which of the following sentences contains a spelling error?

She is a truly courageous person.
Their argument was completely illogical.
He was noticably upset by the news. (Correct answer)
The noise was becoming unbearable.

Correct answer: He was noticably upset by the news.

The word 'noticably' is spelled incorrectly. When adding the suffix '-ably' to a word ending in 'e' (like 'notice'), the 'e' is kept. The correct spelling is 'noticeably'.

Question 15: Kaelan's bank account balance was -$45.60. He then deposited $100 into the account. What is his new bank account balance?

$145.60
$54.40 (Correct answer)
-$54.40
-$145.60

Correct answer: $54.40

Starting with a negative balance of -45.60, a deposit of $100 is an addition. The calculation is -45.60 + 100.00, which equals $54.40. The account is now in credit.

Question 16: A student has written the following sentence: 'After the movie ended we all went out for pizza.' How should this sentence be corrected?

After the movie, ended we all went out for pizza.
After the movie ended we all, went out for pizza.
After the movie ended, we all went out for pizza. (Correct answer)
No correction is needed.

Correct answer: After the movie ended, we all went out for pizza.

The phrase 'After the movie ended' is an introductory dependent clause. A comma is required to separate an introductory clause from the main (independent) clause that follows.

Question 17: You are looking at a flowchart designed to help troubleshoot a faulty printer. The first box asks, 'Is the printer plugged in?'. An arrow points from 'No' to a box that says 'Plug in the printer'. What does this sequence in the visual text represent?

A list of possible problems
A final outcome
A comparison of two different issues
A cause-and-effect relationship or a required action (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A cause-and-effect relationship or a required action

In a flowchart, arrows indicate the direction of the process. The sequence shows that if the cause of the problem is 'No' (the printer is not plugged in), the required action or effect is to 'Plug in the printer'.

Question 18: A paragraph describes a scientist who 'has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and received two international awards.' What conclusion can be drawn?

The scientist works in a small local lab
The scientist is highly experienced and respected (Correct answer)
The scientist is just beginning her career
The scientist has never had research published

Correct answer: The scientist is highly experienced and respected

A high number of peer-reviewed publications and international awards are strong indicators of expertise and respect in a field.

Question 19: Which of the following is an example of using 'inclusive language' in persuasive writing?

I believe this is the right choice for me.
We all have a responsibility to protect our environment. (Correct answer)
The government must act on its own.
They should fix this problem themselves.

Correct answer: We all have a responsibility to protect our environment.

Words like 'we' and 'our' create a sense of shared responsibility and draw the reader into the argument.

Question 20: A student is viewing a line graph that shows the number of library books borrowed each month over a year. The line on the graph shows a steep increase from August to December. What is the most accurate interpretation of this visual data?

The number of books borrowed per month increased towards the end of the year. (Correct answer)
The library was open for more hours in December.
The library purchased more books in the second half of the year.
Fewer books were borrowed at the end of the year.

Correct answer: The number of books borrowed per month increased towards the end of the year.

A steep upward slope on a line graph indicates a significant increase in the measured value over time. In this context, it shows that the number of borrowed books grew substantially from August to December.

Question 21: Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly?

The tour guide, a cheerful and knowledgeable woman pointed out several historical landmarks.
The tour guide a cheerful and knowledgeable woman pointed out several historical landmarks.
The tour guide, a cheerful and knowledgeable woman, pointed out several historical landmarks. (Correct answer)
The tour guide a cheerful, and knowledgeable woman, pointed out several historical landmarks.

Correct answer: The tour guide, a cheerful and knowledgeable woman, pointed out several historical landmarks.

The phrase 'a cheerful and knowledgeable woman' is an appositive, which provides extra information about the noun 'tour guide'. Appositives must be set off from the rest of the sentence by commas.

Question 22: Which reading strategy best helps a reader make an inference?

Reading only the first sentence of each paragraph
Counting the number of paragraphs
Combining text clues with prior knowledge (Correct answer)
Skipping unfamiliar words

Correct answer: Combining text clues with prior knowledge

Inferences are made by combining what the text states with what the reader already knows from experience.

Question 23: Read the following sentences. Which transition word would best link the two ideas? 'Many students find exams stressful. __________, developing good study habits can significantly reduce this anxiety.'

For example
In addition
Therefore
However (Correct answer)

Correct answer: However

The second sentence presents a contrasting idea or a solution to the problem mentioned in the first sentence. 'However' is the most appropriate transition word to show this contrast or turn. 'Therefore' shows a result, 'For example' introduces an example, and 'In addition' adds similar information.

Question 24: A passage ends with: 'She placed the letter back in the envelope without reading past the first line.' What does this suggest?

She had already memorised the letter
She was in a hurry to post it
She was disturbed or upset by what she read (Correct answer)
She wanted to share it with someone else first

Correct answer: She was disturbed or upset by what she read

Stopping after the first line and replacing the letter suggests the content was too upsetting to continue reading.

Question 25: Which sentence best demonstrates using an example clue to understand the word 'nocturnal'?

Many nocturnal creatures, such as owls, bats, and raccoons, are rarely seen in daylight. (Correct answer)
Unlike diurnal animals, nocturnal ones sleep during the day.
The bat is nocturnal, which means it is active at night.
The cat's nocturnal habits made it difficult to sleep.

Correct answer: Many nocturnal creatures, such as owls, bats, and raccoons, are rarely seen in daylight.

Example clues use phrases like 'such as' to list examples that illustrate the meaning; owls, bats, and raccoons being rarely seen in daylight reveals that nocturnal means active at night.

Question 26: A sports team won 12 games and lost 8 games. Which of the following represents the simplified ratio of wins to losses?

3:2 (Correct answer)
12:8
4:3
6:4

Correct answer: 3:2

The initial ratio of wins to losses is 12:8. To simplify a ratio, find the greatest common factor (GCF) of both numbers. The GCF of 12 and 8 is 4. Divide both parts of the ratio by 4: (12 ÷ 4) : (8 ÷ 4) = 3:2.

Question 27: A student is writing a formal letter to their school principal to request a new recycling program. Which of the following sentences is the most appropriate for this purpose and audience?

Hey, I think we need more recycling bins around the place.
We should totally get some new bins because recycling is awesome.
I am writing to propose the implementation of a comprehensive recycling program at our school. (Correct answer)
It's a real shame we don't recycle more, and you should do something about it.

Correct answer: I am writing to propose the implementation of a comprehensive recycling program at our school.

This sentence uses formal language ('propose the implementation', 'comprehensive recycling program') and a respectful tone, which is appropriate for a letter to a school principal. [12, 14] The other options are too informal, use slang ('totally', 'awesome'), or have a demanding tone, which is unsuitable for this audience and purpose. [4, 22]

Question 28: Three angles lie on a straight line. Two of the angles are known to be 40° and 65°. What is the size of the third angle?

75° (Correct answer)
85°
255°
105°

Correct answer: 75°

The sum of angles on a straight line is always 180°. To find the missing angle, add the known angles together (40° + 65° = 105°) and subtract this sum from 180°. The calculation is 180° - 105° = 75°.

Question 29: The two-way table below shows the results of a survey asking students whether they prefer to study in the morning or the evening. | | Year 11 | Year 12 | Total | |---|---|---|---| | Morning | 45 | 35 | 80 | | Evening | 25 | 55 | 80 | | Total | 70 | 90 | 160 | Which of the following statements is correct based on the data?

More Year 12 students prefer to study in the morning than in the evening.
More Year 11 students prefer to study in the evening than in the morning.
Fewer Year 11 students than Year 12 students prefer to study in the evening. (Correct answer)
In total, more students prefer to study in the morning than in the evening.

Correct answer: Fewer Year 11 students than Year 12 students prefer to study in the evening.

Evaluate each statement against the table. [2] Statement D is correct because 25 Year 11 students prefer the evening, which is fewer than the 55 Year 12 students who prefer the evening. Statement A is incorrect (45 > 25). Statement B is incorrect (the totals for Morning and Evening are equal at 80). Statement C is incorrect (35 < 55).

Question 30: A passage states: 'Maria arrived at the station just as the last train pulled away. She slumped onto a bench and stared at the departures board.' What can be inferred about how Maria feels?

She is disappointed or frustrated (Correct answer)
She is confused about the schedule
She is relieved the train left
She is excited about waiting

Correct answer: She is disappointed or frustrated

Slumping and staring blankly are body language cues that indicate disappointment or frustration at missing the train.

Question 31: Which of the following is essential for correctly interpreting a map's symbols?

The compass rose
The scale
The map's title
The legend or key (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The legend or key

The legend, or key, is a crucial feature on a map that explains what the various symbols, colours, and lines represent, allowing the viewer to understand the information being presented.

Question 32: A pie chart shows the favourite hobbies of 180 Year 10 students. The sections are: Sport (40%), Gaming (30%), Reading (15%), Music (10%), and Other (5%). How many students chose Gaming as their favourite hobby?

30
54 (Correct answer)
72
60

Correct answer: 54

To find the number of students who chose Gaming, calculate 30% of the total number of students (180). Calculation: 0.30 * 180 = 54. Therefore, 54 students chose Gaming as their favourite hobby. [17, 18]

Question 33: Which of the following calculations results in the smallest value?

8 x (9 - 5)
50 ÷ 2 - 10
30 - 36 ÷ 3 (Correct answer)
15 + (5 x 2)

Correct answer: 30 - 36 ÷ 3

To solve this, apply the order of operations (BIDMAS/BODMAS) to each option: A) 15 + 10 = 25 B) 30 - 12 = 18 C) 8 x 4 = 32 D) 25 - 10 = 15 The smallest value is 18.

Question 34: A catering company charges a flat fee of $150 plus $25.50 per person. If 'p' represents the number of people, which equation correctly calculates the total cost (C)?

C = 150 - 25.50p
C = 175.50p
C = 25.50p + 150 (Correct answer)
C = 150p + 25.50

Correct answer: C = 25.50p + 150

The total cost (C) is the sum of the fixed flat fee ($150) and the variable cost, which is the price per person ($25.50) multiplied by the number of people (p). This is represented by the equation C = 25.50p + 150.

Question 35: A student is writing a persuasive essay about school uniforms. Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of a colon?

The benefits of school uniforms are: numerous, including improved focus and discipline.
There is one main reason to support school uniforms: they promote a sense of equality among students. (Correct answer)
School uniforms are a good idea because: they reduce peer pressure related to clothing.
We should consider: the positive impact of uniforms on the school environment.

Correct answer: There is one main reason to support school uniforms: they promote a sense of equality among students.

A colon is used correctly here to introduce an explanation or elaboration of the preceding independent clause. The first clause, 'There is one main reason to support school uniforms,' is a complete sentence that is explained by the clause following the colon.

Question 36: A public health poster features a large, bold image of a person washing their hands under a running tap. Below the image, smaller text provides steps for effective handwashing. What is the primary purpose of the large image in this visual text?

To advertise a particular brand of soap.
To show the location of public sinks.
To attract attention and convey the main message quickly. (Correct answer)
To provide detailed, step-by-step instructions.

Correct answer: To attract attention and convey the main message quickly.

In visual texts like posters, large, prominent images are used to immediately grab the viewer's attention and communicate the central theme or message at a glance, which in this case is handwashing.

Question 37: A restaurant bill is $80. A 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is added to this amount. The customer then leaves a 5% tip based on the new total (including GST). What is the final amount paid?

$94.00
$88.00
$92.00
$92.40 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $92.40

This is a multi-step problem. First, calculate the GST: 10% of $80 is $8. Add this to the bill: $80 + $8 = $88. Now, calculate the tip on this new total: 5% of $88 is $4.40. Finally, add the tip to the taxed amount: $88 + $4.40 = $92.40.

Question 38: Read the following text: 'Are you tired of slow internet speeds? Our new fibre optic network delivers lightning-fast downloads, seamless streaming, and reliable connections for your whole family. Make the switch today and experience the internet as it was meant to be!' What is the primary purpose of this text?

To instruct readers on how to install a new network.
To inform readers about how fibre optic technology works.
To narrate a story about a family's internet problems.
To persuade readers to switch to a new internet service. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To persuade readers to switch to a new internet service.

The text's primary purpose is to persuade. [15] It uses persuasive techniques such as a rhetorical question ('Are you tired of...?'), highlights benefits ('lightning-fast downloads'), and includes a direct call to action ('Make the switch today'). The goal is to convince the reader to take a specific action. [6]

Question 39: A baker needs 3.5 kilograms of flour for a large order. They only have 750-gram bags of flour. How many full bags of flour must the baker open to have enough flour for the order?

3 bags
5 bags (Correct answer)
6 bags
4 bags

Correct answer: 5 bags

First, convert the total required flour from kilograms to grams: 3.5 kg × 1000 g/kg = 3500 grams. Next, divide the total amount needed by the amount in each bag: 3500 g ÷ 750 g/bag = 4.66.... Since the baker cannot use a fraction of a bag and needs at least 3500 grams, they must open 5 full bags. 4 bags would only provide 3000g, which is not enough.

Question 40: Which of the following is a sentence fragment?

The cat slept peacefully.
After the storm passed, the sky cleared.
Go to the store.
Running through the park on a sunny afternoon. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Running through the park on a sunny afternoon.

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence because it lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. [8, 19] 'Running through the park on a sunny afternoon' is a phrase that lacks a subject (who is running?) and does not express a complete idea, making it a fragment. [5] The other options are all complete sentences.

Question 41: The table below shows the preferred sport for a group of Year 9 and Year 10 students. How many Year 10 students prefer Soccer?

32
45
28
18 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 18

To find the number of Year 10 students who prefer Soccer, locate the 'Year 10' row and the 'Soccer' column. The value in the cell where this row and column intersect is the answer. In the table, the intersection of the 'Year 10' row and the 'Soccer' column is 18.

Question 42: A shopping centre car park has 900-car parking bays divided into three sections. Section 1 has 480 bays, and section 2 has half as much as Section 1. The remaining bays are in section 3. How many bays are there in Section 3?

80
120
180 (Correct answer)
280

Correct answer: 180

Explanation: There are 900 car bays in the car park. Section two has 240 car bays (half of 480). Section three will equal 900 – 480 – 240 = 180 car bays.

Question 43: Read this passage: 'The water in the lake was so translucent that you could clearly see the fish swimming at the bottom.' What does 'translucent' mean?

Dark and murky
Cold and still
Clear enough to see through (Correct answer)
Shallow and sandy

Correct answer: Clear enough to see through

'Translucent' means allowing light to pass through so objects beyond can be seen, directly supported by being able to see fish at the bottom.

Question 44: The main idea of a paragraph is not always stated directly in one sentence. In such cases, it is said to be...

the topic sentence.
an incorrect idea.
implied. (Correct answer)
a supporting detail.

Correct answer: implied.

When a main idea is not explicitly written in a single sentence, the reader must infer it from the supporting details provided. This is known as an 'implied' main idea. The details, facts, and examples in the text all point towards this central idea.

Question 45: The daily maximum temperatures (in degrees Celsius) recorded for one week were: 25, 28, 22, 31, 27, 24, 29. What is the range of these temperatures?

7
31
9 (Correct answer)
22

Correct answer: 9

The range of a data set is the difference between the highest and lowest values. The highest temperature is 31°C and the lowest is 22°C. The range is 31 - 22 = 9.

OLNA Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment

The OLNA is a Western Australian assessment that measures whether students in Years 10–12 meet the minimum literacy and numeracy standard required for the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), aligned to Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework.

Questions

50 min

Time Limit

63%

To Pass

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