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 A. Sample Space

Indicator 1. Identify possible outcomes

Objective a. Determine possible outcomes of independent events

Assessment limit: Use two independent events with no more than 4 outcomes each and an organized list or tree diagram

Selected Response Item

You are going to toss a coin and spin a spinner, as shown below.

Which tree diagram correctly shows all possible outcomes for tossing the coin and spinning the spinner?

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_5_010.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item

Brendan pulled a chip out of a box and tossed a coin as shown below. He created a tree diagram to record all possible outcomes.

penny and box

Which tree diagram correctly shows all possible outcomes for pulling a chip and tossing a coin?

  1. tree diagram

  2. tree diagram

  3. tree diagram

  4. tree diagram

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_5_019.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item

Brendan is playing a game with these two spinners. The spinners are each divided into 4 equal sections. He spins the arrows on both spinners and records the color and number he got each time. For example, on his first spin, Brendan got blue, 2.

two spinners

Step A

How many possible outcomes are there?

Step B

Explain how you found 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_5_020.xml

Correct Answer:
Step A
16

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Resources for Objective 5.A.1.a:
Clarifications | Thinking Skills | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS | Public Release Items |