School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Mathematics, Grade 8

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 4.0 Knowledge of Statistics

Topic B. Data Analysis

Indicator 1. Analyze data

Objective b. Interpret box-and-whisker plots

Assessment limit: Use minimum, first (lower) quartile, median (middle quartile), third (upper) quartile, or maximum and whole numbers (0 – 100)

Selected Response Item

Ms. Smith gave a quiz last week. The results for two of her classes are shown on the box-and-whisker plots below.

Which sentence best describes the quiz results?

  1. The medians for the two classes are the same.
  2. Class A has a smaller range of scores in the upper quartile than Class B.
  3. Class A performed better than Class B.
  4. The lower extreme of Class B is greater than the lower extreme of Class A.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_012.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Assessment limit:
Use minimum, first (lower) quartile, median (middle quartile), third (upper) quartile, or maximum and whole numbers (0 – 100)

Selected Response Item

Look at the box-and-whisker plots below.

Populations of Countries in South America and Africa
(in millions of people)

plot comparing population of africa with that of south america

(source: www.aneki.com)

What is the approximate difference between the lower and upper quartiles for South America?

  1. 170
  2. 100
  3. 35
  4. 30
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_026.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Assessment limit:
Use minimum, first (lower) quartile, median (middle quartile), third (upper) quartile, or maximum and whole numbers (0 – 100)

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item

Look at the box-and-whisker plots below.

Populations of Countries in South America and Africa
(in millions of people)

plot comparing population of africa with that of south america

(source: www.aneki.com)

Which statement is accurate based on the box-and-whisker plots?

  1. The median population of the countries in Africa is less than the median population of the countries in South America.
  2. The country with the greatest population in Africa has a greater population than the country with the greatest population in South America.
  3. There are more people in Africa than in South America.
  4. The lower quartile population of countries in Africa is greater than the median population of countries in South America. (correct answer)
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_027.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Assessment limit:
Use minimum, first (lower) quartile, median (middle quartile), third (upper) quartile, or maximum and whole numbers (0 – 100)

Student Produced Response (SPR) Item

Look at the box-and-whisker plots below.

Populations of Countries in South America and Africa
(in millions of people)

plot comparing population of africa with that of south america

(source: www.aneki.com)

What is the difference in the medians of the two data sets? (Note: 19plus or minus2 should be acceptable.)

blank SPR form

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_028.xml

Correct Answer:
19

Assessment limit:
Use minimum, first (lower) quartile, median (middle quartile), third (upper) quartile, or maximum and whole numbers (0 – 100)

View Scoring Information
Resources for Objective 4.B.1.b:
Thinking Skills | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS |