School Improvement in Maryland

Sample Assessments: Each sample assessment item gives an idea of how an assessment item on the MSA might be presented. The items appropriately measure the content of the VSC and may be formatted similarly to those appearing on the MSA; however, these are sample items only and have not appeared on any MSA form.

Standard 3.0 Knowledge of Measurement

Topic C. Applications in Measurement

Indicator 1. Apply measurement concepts

Objective c. Determine start time, elapsed time, and end time

Assessment limit: Use hour and half hour intervals

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item

Sarah is walking to her friend's house. She leaves her house at 3:45 and arrives at her friend's house at 5:15.

Step A

How long did it take Sarah to walk from her house to her friend's house?

Step B

Explain why your answer is correct. Use what you know about elapsed time in your explanation. Use words and/or numbers in your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_4_013.xml

Correct Answer:
Step A
1 hour and 30 minutes

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