Private preview for the Toronto District School Board

OSSLT screening and diagnostics

Screen a whole class in one period, then see each student's level and the one skill to fix next. Coming in Litguide 3.0.

Example result
Level 3
Almost ready for the OSSLT
Considerable effectiveness
ReadingLevel 3
Main idea and detailsLevel 3
ConventionsLevel 4
EQAO codes: Topic Development 40 · Conventions 40

Four levels, one framework

Every result uses the four levels in Litguide's rubrics. Each level lines up with the writing codes in EQAO's OSSLT Framework, so teachers read one scale for the whole diagnostic.

Level 1

Not ready for the OSSLT yet

Limited effectiveness

No clear opinion, or ideas with no support. Errors get in the way of meaning.

Topic Development10–20Conventions10Each question right onNot yet

Level 2

Getting ready for the OSSLT

Some effectiveness

A clear opinion, but details are thin or vague. Errors distract.

Topic Development30Conventions20Each question right on3rd try

Level 3

Almost ready for the OSSLT

Considerable effectiveness

Enough details, though only some are specific. Errors do not distract.

Topic Development40Conventions30Each question right on2nd try

Level 4

Very ready for the OSSLT

High degree of effectiveness

Specific, well-chosen details in a logical order. Control of conventions.

Topic Development50–60Conventions40Each question right on1st try

Step 1 of 3: Questions

Practice Questions

Attempts: 0/3

How attempts work. Answer all five, then choose Check Your Responses. Right answers lock in green. Wrong answers turn red with a hint, so the student can try again. There are 3 attempts in all.

Each question's level comes from the try it was answered right on:

  • 1st tryLevel 4
  • 2nd tryLevel 3
  • 3rd tryLevel 2
  • Not yetLevel 1
Reading skill: understanding directly stated ideas1. According to paragraph 1, how much time on social media can increase the likelihood of mental health problems?
Reading skill: understanding indirectly stated ideas2. In paragraph 3, the word "mitigate" most likely means
Reading skill: making connections3. Which situation best shows the "culture of comparison" described in paragraph 2?
Writing skill: organizing ideas4. Which word best connects these two sentences? "Social media can help teens stay in touch with friends. ______, it can also increase anxiety."
Writing skill: using conventions5. Which sentence is written correctly?

3 attempts. Answer every question, then check.

Read Text

A high school student using a phone while studying at a library table

Social Media and Mental Health

[1] Social media has become an integral part of many teenagers' lives, with a large majority of them using various platforms on a regular basis. While social media can provide valuable support and entertainment for teens, it also poses risks to their mental health. Studies have shown that excessive use of social media, particularly spending more than three hours a day on it, can increase the likelihood of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The negative impact of social media on mental health may be exacerbated by factors such as social comparison, feedback seeking, and passive use of social media.

[2] One reason social media can negatively affect teenagers' mental health is by depriving them of important social cues that they would normally learn through in-person communication. This can lead to increased callousness, anxiety, and insecurity. Additionally, the "culture of comparison" mindset prevalent on social media can be particularly damaging, as teenagers compare themselves to others and feel inadequate or isolated. Cyberbullying is another significant risk associated with social media use, because hurtful messages can reach teenagers at any hour and follow them home from school.

[3] Despite the potential risks, social media use is not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people. The effects of social media depend on various factors, including the individual's personal and psychological characteristics, social circumstances, and how they shape their own social media experiences. Working with teenagers by setting a good example, establishing tech-free zones and hours, and encouraging involvement in offline activities can help mitigate the negative impact of social media on teenagers' mental health.

About this preview. This page is for demonstration purposes only. Students cannot copy or paste into their responses in Litguide. The reading tools mirror the built-in tools on EQAO's online OSSLT: read aloud, zoom, line reader, highlighter and high contrast. Writing is marked by AI–Litguide, built on Anthropic's Claude model and the generic writing rubrics in EQAO's OSSLT Framework. Levels follow Litguide's rubrics (litguide.ca/rubrics). Sample responses are written by Litguide and nothing is saved. Results are an estimate to guide practice, not an OSSLT score or a prediction of passing. Private preview for Toronto District School Board staff; please do not share the link. © 2026 Litguide