OSAS Prep Guided Notes Worksheet
OSAS Test Mastery
Guided Notes & Practice
NAME:
DATE:
1. Understanding the CAT
CAT stands for Computer Adaptive Test. This means the answers will be in different formats like multiple choice, multiple select, or short answer. Reading each question carefully is vital because your response determines your next question.
2. What's on the Test?
READING LITERATURE
- Exploring theme, plot, point of view, and character development in stories.
- Stories may show up as plays, myths, poems, or short stories.
INFORMATIONAL TEXT
- Analyzing central ideas, evidence, and text structure in non-fiction.
- Topics may include social studies or science themes.
3. Your Test-Taking Tool Kit
1
Read Questions First: __________ what you are looking for before starting the reading. Write it on your ____________________ paper.
2
Annotation Matters: Use the digital ____________________ to mark evidence for EBSR.
3
Process of Elimination: Cross out "____________________" answers that are only half true or not in the text.
Practice: Elimination
Which answer choice is a "distractor" (not mentioned)? Cross it out!
"The honeybee is essential to our environment. They pollinate crops and produce honey. Unfortunately, honeybee populations have declined due to habitat loss and pesticides."
A) Habitat loss is causing population decline.
B) Chemical pesticides are harming them.
C) There are too many bears eating the honey.
4. Five Steps to Success
1 Read what it wants you to do
2 Read the sentence or paragraph
3 Read the question
4 Read all of the answer options
5 Choose the best one (Elimination)
Start at the __________ and read __________—don’t just skip to the question!
Practice: Editing
Circle three errors in word usage below.
The giant squid is a mysterious creature. It lives deep in the ocean, where its hard for humans to explore. Scientists have found that they're eyes are the size of basketballs. These creatures use there long tentacles to grab prey.
5. EBSR Evidence
Part A asks you to answer a question. Part B asks for the ____________________ that supports your answer in Part A.
Strategy: Find the quote in Part B __________ you pick the answer for Part A!
Practice: EBSR Question
"While most people think of deserts as hot, the Gobi Desert in Asia can be incredibly cold. In winter, temperatures can drop to -40 degrees. Animals here have adapted unique ways to stay warm, like the thick fur of the Bactrian camel."
Part A: What is the central idea of the passage?
A) All deserts are hot and sandy places.
B) The Gobi Desert has extreme cold temperatures.
Part B: Which sentence best supports Part A?
A) "While most people think of deserts as hot..."
B) "...the Gobi Desert in Asia can be incredibly cold."
6. Multi-Select
Select two items found in a healthy garden according to the text.
Rich Soil
Toxic Waste
Clean Water
Plastic Spoons
7. Words to Know
Central Idea
The ____________________ point or "big picture".
Inference
An ________________________________________ guess.
Summarize
Giving a ____________________ version.
Theme
The ________________________________________ or lesson.
Practice: Scratch Paper
In the box, write two summary notes for the paragraph below.
"Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replace themselves. Solar power uses the sun's rays, while wind power uses large turbines. These sources are better for the planet."
Scratch Paper Area
8. Performance Task (PT)
Part 1
Identifying the ____________________.
Part 2
Writing the ____________________.
ESSAY APPROACH
-
Don't just start typing! Have a ____________________!
-
On your scratch paper, write your ____________________.
-
The "Hamburger" Method:
Introduction Paragraph (Top Bun)
____________________ Paragraphs (The Meat & Fillings)
Conclusion Paragraph (Bottom Bun)
-
Always include ____________________ (proof) from sources.
Show What You Know!
Take your time. Read everything. Success is yours!
OSAS Prep Guided Notes Answer Key
ANSWER KEY
OSAS Test Mastery: Guided Notes
Teacher Reference
1. Understanding the CAT
CAT stands for Computer Adaptive Test. Reading each question carefully is vital because your response determines your next question.
2. What's on the Test?
Literature:
- Exploring theme, plot, point of view, and character development.
- Formats include plays, myths, poems, or short stories.
Informational:
- Analyzing central ideas, evidence, and text structure.
- Topics may include social studies or science themes.
3. Tool Kit
1. Scan what you're looking for... scratch paper. | 2. Highlighter. | 3. Distractor answers.
Practice 1 Answer: C
"There are too many bears eating the honey" is a distractor because bears are not mentioned in the text.
4. Five Steps & Practice
Golden Rule: Start at the top and read down.
Practice 2 (Editing):
- "...where its hard" → it's
- "...they're eyes" → their
- "...use there long" → their
5. EBSR & Multi-Select
Practice 3 (EBSR):
Part A (Central Idea): B
Part B (Support): B
Find quote before picking A.
Practice 4 (Multi-Select):
Rich Soil
Clean Water
6. Vocabulary & Scratch Paper
Central Idea: Main point.
Inference: Educated guess.
Summarize: Short version.
Theme: Message/Lesson.
Practice 6 Summary Notes:
1. Renewable energy sources replace themselves naturally. | 2. Solar and wind power are environmentally friendly.
7. Performance Task
Part 1: Sources | Part 2: Essay
Approach: Have a plan! Start with an outline.
Hamburger Structure: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion Paragraphs.
Support: Always include evidence (proof) from the provided sources.
