School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Mathematics, Grade 7

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

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 State Curriculum 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 evaluate expressions

Objective b. Evaluate algebraic expressions

Assessment limit: Use one unknown and no more than two operations (+, -, ×, ÷ with no remainders) with whole numbers (0 – 200), fractions with denominators as factors of 100 (0 – 100), or decimals with no more than three decimal places (0 – 100)
Note: Highlighted assessment limits will be tested in the no calculator section of MSA.

Extended Constructed Response (ECR) Item
Note: This problem is solved without a calculator.

Amanda's long distance telephone plan charges a monthly fee of $14.95 and $.05 per minute for the number of minutes (m) that she uses her telephone. The monthly charge for Amanda's long distance telephone plan is represented by the expression shown below.

14.95 + 0.05m

Step A

How much is the monthly charge for Amanda's long distance telephone plan if she talks for 150 minutes in one month?

Step B

  • Use what you know about expressions to explain how you determined the monthly charge for Amanda's long distance telephone plan. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.
  • Suppose that the cost per minute changes to $.07 per minute. Explain how this change will affect the charge for Amanda's telephone plan. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_7_014.xml

Correct Answer:
Step A
$22.45

Assessment limit:
Use one unknown and no more than two operations (+, -, ×, ÷ with no remainders) with whole numbers (0 – 200), fractions with denominators as factors of 100 (0 – 100), or decimals with no more than three decimal places (0 – 100)

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