School Improvement in Maryland

Constructed Response Items: Mathematics Grade 7

 (1) Brief Constructed Response Sample

Calvin mows his neighbors' lawns on Saturdays. The data below shows the amount of money that Calvin earned for the last 8 Saturdays.

The line graph below displays the data for Calvin's earnings. The way that the line graph was created leads to an incorrect interpretation of the data that Calvin earned the same amount of money every Saturday.

Step A

What part of the line graph leads to an incorrect interpretation of the data that Calvin earned the same amount of money every Saturday?

Step B

Use what you know about line graphs to justify why the part of the graph you identified in Step A leads to an incorrect interpretation of the data. Use words, data, and/or symbols in your justification.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_7_013.xml

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 (2) Brief Constructed Response Sample

The linear relationship is the table below uses the rule y = 6x + 20

x y
5 50
13 98
45 290
80 ?

Step A

What is the value for y when x = 80?

Step B

Explain how you determined this value. Use what you know about function tables in your explanation. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_7_020.xml

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 (3) Brief Constructed Response Sample

The list below shows the different taco shells, fillings, and toppings sold at Rico's Taco Bar.

Taco Shells Fillings Toppings
Soft Chicken Cheese
Hard Beef Lettuce
  Bean Salsa
    Onions
    Sour Cream

Step A

How many different types of tacos can Rico make using one taco shell, one filling, and one topping?

Step B

Use what you know about probability to justify why the number of different types of tacos you determined is correct. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your justification.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_7_024.xml

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 (4) Brief Constructed Response Sample

Juan has 5 pairs of socks in his drawer. The pairs of socks are: 3 white and 2 blue. He also has 4 T-shirts in the drawer: 2 white and 2 gray. He randomly picks one pair of socks and one T-shirt from the drawer.

Step A

What is the probability Juan picks a pair of white socks and a gray T-shirt?

Step B

Use what you know about probability to explain how you determined the probability of Juan picking a white pair of socks and a gray T-shirt. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_7_027.xml

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 (5) Extended Constructed Response Sample
Note: This problem is solved without a calculator.

Amanda's long distance telephone plan charges a monthly fee of $14.95 and $.05 per minute for the number of minutes (m) that she uses her telephone. The monthly charge for Amanda's long distance telephone plan is represented by the expression shown below.

14.95 + 0.05m

Step A

How much is the monthly charge for Amanda's long distance telephone plan if she talks for 150 minutes in one month?

Step B

  • Use what you know about expressions to explain how you determined the monthly charge for Amanda's long distance telephone plan. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.
  • Suppose that the cost per minute changes to $.07 per minute. Explain how this change will affect the charge for Amanda's telephone plan. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_7_014.xml

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