School Improvement in Maryland

Constructed Response Items: Mathematics Grade 6

 (1) Brief Constructed Response Sample

Look at the equation below.
x - 17.32 = 28.7

Step A

Solve the equation for x.

Step B

Explain why your value for x is correct. Use what you know about solving equations in your explanation. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_013.xml

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 (2) Brief Constructed Response Sample

Look at the expression below.

90 - 48 ÷ 6 + 2



Step A

What is the value of this expression?

Step B

Explain why the value you determined is correct. Use what you know about order of operations in your explanation. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_017.xml

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 (3) Brief Constructed Response Sample

Look at the pentagon RSTUV below.

pentagon RSTUV

Step A

How many diagonals can be drawn from vertex R?

Step B

Use what you know about line segments to explain how you determined your answer. Use words, pictures and/or numbers in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_020.xml

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 (4) Brief Constructed Response Sample

Amelia tossed a paper cup 10 times. The cup lands either on its side, on its base or on its top. The data below shows how the cup landed each time.

Base Side Side Base Side
Top Side Side Side Top

Step A

If Amanda tosses the cup now, what is the probability that it will land on its side? Express your answer as a decimal.

Step B

Explain how you determined your answer. Use what you know about probability in your explanation. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_023.xml

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 (5) Brief Constructed Response Sample

Juan flipped a coin 20 times. The results are listed below.

Heads Tails Tails Tails Heads
Tails Heads Tails Heads Tails
Heads Tails Heads Tails Heads
Tails Tails Tails Heads Heads

Step A

Based on Juan's results, what is the experimental probability that the coin will land on heads the next time it is flipped?

Step B

Explain why your answer is correct. Use what you know about probability in your explanation. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_026.xml

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 (6) Brief Constructed Response Sample

The perimeter of a rectangular yard is 200 feet. The measure of its width is 40 feet.

Step A

What is the length, in feet, of its length?

Step B

Use what you know about perimeter to explain how you determined the length. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

Use what you know about perimeter to explain why the length you determined is correct. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_029.xml

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 (7) Extended Constructed Response Sample

The owner of a trucking company records the number of miles driven by 15 truck drivers in one week, as shown below.

The owner begins to display the data on a stem-and-leaf plot.

Step A

Complete the stem of the stem-and-leaf plot for the data

Step B

  • Explain why the stem you completed is correct. Use what you know about stem-and-leaf plots in your explanation. Use words, data, and/or symbols.
  • Suppose that the number 369 is added to the data set. Explain how the stem of the stem-and-leaf plot will change. Use words, data, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_014.xml

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