OSSLT Short Answer Comprehension Questions

Key Points: 1. There are three short answer reading comprehension questions on the OSSLT. Each of these

questions is worth 30 points. Combined these three questions are worth almost as much as the

longer writing tasks (News Report and Opinion Essay).

2. The word “selection” is used throughout the OSSLT to indicate all of the articles, stories, graphical

texts and other items you read during the test. When you’re asked about “the selection” on the

test, you’re being asked about the thing you just read.

3. The comprehension questions and the other 3 short answer questions all ask for the same length of

answer: six lines, 3-4 sentences. Your answer should fill the space provided.

4. Be specific. Lack of details is usually the difference between a score of 20/30 and 30/30.

Sample reading comprehension short answer questions from previous tests: OSSLT 2008 Section 1

“Should city officials be worried or pleased about he fad of putting locks on the lamppost? Explain your answer using details from the selection and your own ideas.”

“Describe how the store clerk’s attitude changes in this selection. Use specific details from the selection to support your answer.”

“Explain why this project is a good learning experience for the students involved. Use specific details from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer.”

OSSLT Short Answer Reading Comprehension Rubric

Score Criteria 10/30 ● Response indicates minimal reading comprehension

● Response provides minimal or irrelevant ideas and information from the reading selection

The response answers the question but with irrelevant supporting details OR the response retells the selection without answering the question.

20/30 ● Response indicates some reading comprehension

● Response provides vague ideas and information from the reading selection; it may include irrelevant ideas

and information from the reading selection

The response provides vague support from the selection to explain the answer to the question OR the response requires does not explain the connection between the answer and the supporting detail from the selection.

30/30 ● Response indicates considerable reading comprehension

● Response provides accurate, specific and relevant ideas and information from the reading selection; it may

include relevant ideas and information from the reading selection.

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OSSLT

Short Answer Comprehension Questions Instructions:  Read the following model answers from previous literacy tests. For each one analyze how well it follows the A.P.E. model. Then answer the two Analysis questions at the end.  

1. Question: “What do Pamela’s words and actions reveal about her character? Use specific details from the selection to support your answer.”

Score Explanation  Response identifies one or more traits/characteristics/qualities of Pamela and uses specific and relevant support from the reading selection to clearly explain how it is/they are demonstrated. 

30/30 

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2. Question: “Explain whether this archaeological find settles the historical question about who invented pasta. Use specific details from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer.”

Score Explanation  Response provides an opinion as to whether or not this archaeological find settles the historical question about who invented pasta and uses specific and relevant support from the selection to clearly explain the opinion. 

30/30 

 

3. Question: “Provide a title for this selection. Explain why your title is appropriate by using specific details from the selection and your own ideas to support your answer.”

Score Explanation  Response provides a title and uses specific and relevant support to clearly explain why it is appropriate. 

30/30  

4. Question: Explain why it is important to learn about other cultures. Use specific details to support

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your answer.  

Score Explanation  Response clearly explains at least one reason as to why it is important to learn about other cultures by providing specific and relevant details as support. 

30/30 

 

5. Question: What is an effective way advertisers persuade teenagers to buy a product? Explain why this method is effective.

` Response identifies at least one way that advertisers persuade teenagers to buy a product and clearly explains why this method is effective by providing one or more specific and relevant details as support. 

30/30 

 

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Analysis 1. Which of the short answers best demonstrates the A.P.E. answer model? Use specific details from a text in your answer (Hint:  Use the A.P.E. model to answer this question). 

2. How useful is the A.P.E. answer model for you? Use specific details from the model and your own ideas in your answer.

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Short Answer Reading Comprehension Rubric

Typical Question: “Describe how the stores clerk’s attitude changes in this selection. Use specific details from the selection to support your answer.”

Score

Criteria

10 ● Response indicates minimal reading comprehension ● Response provides minimal or irrelevant ideas and information from the reading

selection

The response answers the question but with irrelevant supporting details OR the response retells the selection without answering the question.

20 ● Response indicates some reading comprehension ● Response provides vague ideas and information from the reading selection; it

may include irrelevant ideas and information from the reading selection

The response provides vague support from the selection to explain the answer to the question OR the response requires does not explain the connection between the answer and the supporting detail from the selection.

30 ● Response indicates considerable reading comprehension ● Response provides accurate, specific and relevant ideas and information from the

reading selection; it may include irrelevant ideas and information from the

reading selection.

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Answer Prove Explain 

Answer the question

●Use words in the question to form your answer

●Don’t use the word “because” in your first sentence

Prove your answer is correct with a detail from the

selection

●Use a fact or detail from the text that proves your answer

●Use key terms or phrases from the selection to demonstrate your understanding

Explain your answer’s connection to the purpose of

the selection

●Demonstrate that you understand why the selection was written

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