OLSAT Verbal Comprehension

This section of the OLSAT test measures the comprehension of the meaning of words and their relationship with each other, as well as the students’ ability to gather and manipulate information from language. It shows how the comprehension and use of different words is used to frame meaningful sentences and how students interpret nuances in language. This section is used to evaluate a child’s ability to observe and comprehend relationships between words, to build sentences, and to understand different definitions of words based on context.  Verbal Comprehension consists of following directions, antonyms, sentence completion and sentence arrangement.

Following Directions

This section on Following Directions assesses a child’s ability to listen carefully and choose a representation (figural or pictorial design) of a description that is read out loud by the test administrator. These questions test students knowledge of relational concepts, including distinguishing between and understanding phrases such as as “behind”, “below” and “above”. Following Directions is on levels A-C of the OLSAT, which covers Kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Sample Question:

Choose the picture that shows a heart inside of a triangle where both are surrounded by a circle.

2^nd image over the bubble – Level B

Antonyms

Antonyms require students to search for the opposite meaning of a given word. This group of questions aims to evaluate a student’s vocabulary skills. Ultimately, these questions require a sophisticated understanding of vocabulary because the students must understand the meaning of the word so that they can recognize its true opposite. Antonyms is on levels D-G of the OLSAT, which covers 3rd Grade through 12th Grade.

Sample Question:

The opposite of terror is –

Answer :  3 – Level E

Sentence Completion

In the sentence completion section, students are required to “fill in the blank(s)” and choose word(s) that create a complete, logical sentence. Sentence Completion is on levels D-G of the OLSAT, which covers 3rd Grade through 12th Grade.

Sample Question:

The pain was ____.    

Answer :  4 – Level E

Sentence Arrangement

The sentence arrangement questions provide students with sentences that have been jumbled up. Looking at this mixed-up set of words, students must piece the words together to compose a complete thought. These questions assess a student’s ability to understand the structure of language by asking them to take fragmented parts and, from them, create a whole sentence. Sentence Arrangement is on levels D-G of the OLSAT, which covers 3rd Grade through 12th Grade.

Sample Question:

If the words below were put in sentence order, the last word of the sentence would begin with –

Answer:  #2 – Judy’s diet had a good balance of fruits and vegetables.