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 b. Express the probability of an event as a decimal

Assessment limit: Use a sample space of 10, 20, 25, or 50 outcomes

Selected Response Item

Reggie is bowling. In the last 50 throws of his bowling ball, Reggie makes a strike 18 times. Based on his last 50 throws, what is the experimental probability that Reggie will make a strike on his next throw?

  1. 0.09
  2. 0.18
  3. 0.27
  4. 0.36
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_009.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item

Allison plays baseball. In the last 25 times at bat she made a hit 4 times. Based on her last 25 at bats, what is the experimental probability that Allison will make a hit on her next time at bat?

  1. 0.04
  2. 0.16
  3. 0.25
  4. 0.40
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_021.xml

Correct Answer:
B

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Selected Response Item

A desk drawer contains 6 black pens, 5 blue pens, 4 red pens, and 5 green pens. Ron picks one pen from the drawer without looking. What is the probability Ron picks a blue pen?

  1. 0.05
  2. 0.10
  3. 0.25
  4. 0.50
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_6_022.xml

Correct Answer:
C

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Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item

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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Resources for Objective 5.B.1.b:
Clarifications | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS |