OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Interpreting News Reports Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following sentences from a news report: "The City Council voted yesterday to approve the construction of a new public library on Elm Street. The project is budgeted at $4 million. Councillor David Chen called the decision 'a fantastic and desperately needed enhancement for our city.' The library is expected to be completed by 2028."

Which of the following statements from the news report is an opinion?

Accepted Answer

The decision is 'a fantastic and desperately needed enhancement.'

Answer

The statement describes the decision using subjective and emotional language ('fantastic,' 'desperately needed'), which reflects Councillor Chen's personal judgment. The other options are all verifiable facts presented in the report.

Question 2

Read the following headline and first sentence of a news report: "Courageous Local Activists Defeat Destructive Corporate Plan. A proposal to build a massive warehouse in the sensitive Green Valley marshlands was finally stopped last night thanks to the persistent efforts of community heroes."

The language used in this report shows a bias in favour of which group?

Accepted Answer

The community activists.

Answer

Words like 'Courageous,' 'heroes,' and 'persistent efforts' present the activists in an overwhelmingly positive light. In contrast, the plan is described with negative words like 'destructive' and 'massive,' indicating a clear bias in favour of the activists.

Question 3

A news article about a major highway closure includes the following section: "'We advise all commuters to seek alternate routes or use public transit if possible,' stated police constable Eva Rostova. 'Our primary goal is to ensure everyone's safety during the cleanup operation.'"

What is the most likely reason the reporter included the quote from Constable Rostova?

Accepted Answer

To provide an official and authoritative source for the safety warning.

Answer

Constable Rostova is an official source (a police officer). Her quote provides a credible warning and explains the official priority (safety), which adds authority and important information to the news report.

Question 4

A news website published two articles about a new city-wide composting program.
- Article A Headline: "Green Bin Program Slashes Landfill Waste in First Month"
- Article B Headline: "Residents Complain of Pests and Odours from New Green Bins"

Based on the headlines, what is the primary difference between the two news reports?

Accepted Answer

They focus on different aspects and potential outcomes of the same program.

Answer

Both headlines refer to the same new composting program. However, Article A focuses on a positive outcome (reduced waste), while Article B focuses on negative consequences (pests and smells). They are covering the same event from different angles.

Question 5

Read the following opening paragraph of a news report: "Yesterday, hundreds of students from Northview High School walked out of class to protest the school board's recent budget cuts. The demonstration began at noon on the front lawn of the school."

Which of the following key questions is NOT answered in this paragraph?

Accepted Answer

Why did the school board make the cuts?

Answer

The paragraph tells us *Who* (students from Northview High), *What* (a walk-out/protest), *When* (yesterday at noon), and *Where* (the school's front lawn). It does not explain the *Why*—the specific reasons behind the school board's decision to make budget cuts are not mentioned.

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Interpreting News Reports Questions and Answers