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 5.0 Knowledge of Probability

Topic B. Theoretical Probability

Indicator 1. Determine the probability of one simple event comprised of equally likely outcomes

Objective a. Make predictions and express the probability as a fraction

Assessment limit: Use a sample space of no more than 20 outcomes

Selected Response Item

Harry is using the spinner below.

Harry spins the arrow. What is the probability that the arrow will land on a number greater than 50?


  1.  

  2.  

  3.  
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_5_009.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item

Look at the spinner.

spinner

Jack spins the arrow. What is the probability that the arrow will land on an odd number?

  1. 3/8
  2. 4/8
  3. 5/8
  4. 6/8
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_5_021.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item

Jack and Bob are using the spinner to play a game. The spinner is divided into equal parts. Each boy chooses a color. When the arrow lands on the chosen color, that boy gets a point. Jack chooses blue. Bob chooses red.

spinner

Step A

Predict who the winner is.

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_5_022.xml

Correct Answer:
Step A
Bob

View Scoring Information
Resources for Objective 5.B.1.a:
Clarifications | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS |