Vocabulary Decode
Grammar
Inference & Analysis
Opinions
Wild Card
100
The coach decided to implement a new strategy after the team lost three games in a row.
To put into action / to start.
100
Which punctuation mark is missing?
"Stop right there"
An Exclamation mark (!) or Period (.)
100
The report stated that 80% of students prefer digital textbooks, while 20% prefer print." What is the organizational structure of this sentence?
Compare and Contrast (or Statistics-based/factual)
100
Is summer the best season of the year?
State an opinion + 1 simple reason.
100
which month had the highest sales?
June
200
The student's diligent efforts in studying led to a significant improvement in her grades.
Hard-working / showing care
200
Fix the capitalization:
"my friend lives in toronto, ontario."
My, Toronto, Ontario.
200
"The once-vibrant garden was now a graveyard of grey stalks and brittle leaves." What is the dominant 'tone' of this description?
Bleak, somber, or mournful.
200
Should students have to wear school uniforms?
State an opinion + 2 clear reasons.
200
What is the purpose of the Headline in a news report?
To summarize the main event and grab the reader's attention.
300
The results of the science experiment were ambiguous, leaving the researchers unsure of the outcome.
Unclear / having more than one meaning.
300
Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
A) I have a dog; and a cat.
B) The game was cancelled; it was raining too hard.
B (A semicolon connects two independent clauses without a conjunction).
300
"City officials claim the new highway will reduce traffic; however, environmentalists argue it will destroy local habitats." What is the function of the word 'however' in this context?
To signal a shift in perspective or introduce a counter-argument.
300
Does social media do more harm than good?
2 reasons + 1 connecting word (e.g., Furthermore).
300
Why is it essential to include quotations from "witnesses" or "experts" in the body of the report?
To add human interest, perspective, and authenticity to the facts.
400
The author uses a melancholy tone to describe the abandoned house at the end of the street.
Sad / gloomy / depressed
400
Combine into one sentence: "The storm was heavy. The flight was delayed."
The flight was delayed because the storm was heavy /similar/
400
"By citing the University of Waterloo study, the author strengthens their argument." What is the rhetorical purpose of including this specific reference?
To establish Credibility (Ethos) or provide expert validation for the claim.
400
Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
3 distinct reasons + no "I think" statements.
400
Explain the Inverted Pyramid structure. Why is the most important information placed at the beginning?
So the reader gets the essential facts immediately in case they stop reading halfway through.
500
The evidence provided by the witness was superfluous, as the security footage had already clearly shown the entire event.
Unnecessary, excessive, or more than is needed.
500
Correct this sentence:
"To prepare for the OSSLT, students should practice reading, writing, and they should review grammar."
...and reviewing grammar (to match the "-ing" pattern of reading and writing).
500
The protagonist "stared at the ticking clock, each second sounding like a hammer blow against an anvil." How does the author's use of a 'simile' contribute to the mood?
Creates a sense of intense pressure, anxiety, or impending dread.
500
Is it better to be a 'leader' or a 'follower' in a group?
3 well developed reasons with a brief conclusion sentence
500
The author repeatedly uses the word 'emergency' throughout the text when discussing climate change. What is the rhetorical effect of this word choice (diction)?
Creates a sense of urgency and persuades the reader that immediate action is necessary by appealing to their emotions (Pathos).