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 1.0 Knowledge of Algebra, Patterns, and Functions

Topic B. Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities

Indicator 1. Write and identify expressions

Objective a. Represent numeric quantities using operational symbols (+, -, ×, ÷ with no remainders)

Assessment limit: Use whole numbers (0 – 100)

Selected Response Item

Joe collects apples off of his family's apple tree. He collects 14 apples per week. He collects apples for 5 weeks.

Which expression can be used to find the number of apples that Joe collects?

  1. 14 + 5
  2. 14 x 5
  3. 14 ÷ 5
  4. 14 - 5
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_4_001.xml

Correct Answer:
B