School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Mathematics, Grade 3

Algebra | Geometry | Measurement | Statistics | Probability | Number | Processes

Public Release Items: Public release items have appeared on MSA forms and then are released for public viewing and use. Releasing items is one step to ensuring that schools, districts, and other stakeholders understand how the content standards are assessed on the MSA.

Standard 5.0 Knowledge of Probability

Topic B. Theoretical Probability

Indicator 1. Identify the probability of one simple event

Objective a. Describe the probability of an event using words

Assessment limit: Use probability terms of more (or most) likely, less (or least) likely, or equally likely

Selected Response Item

Jason has 9 square tiles in a bag. The square tiles are the same size. The colors are listed below.

3 red   2 blue   4 yellow

Without looking Jason will reach in the bag and pick one square tile.

What is the likelihood Jason will pick a blue square tile?

  1. most likely
  2. impossible
  3. least likely
  4. equally likely
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_3_036.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Assessment limit:
Use probability terms of more (or most) likely, less (or least) likely, or equally likely

Selected Response Item

Look at this tray of marbles.

Sara closes her eyes and picks one marble.

What is the probability she will pick a black marble?

  1. less likely
  2. more likely
  3. equally likely
  4. impossible
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_3_037.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Assessment limit:
Use probability terms of more (or most) likely, less (or least) likely, or equally likely
Resources for Objective 5.B.1.a:
Clarifications | Thinking Skills | Sample Assessments | PUBLIC RELEASE ITEMS |