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 5.0 Knowledge of Probability

Topic B. Theoretical Probability

Indicator 2. Determine the probability of a second event that is dependent on a first event of equally likely outcomes

Objective a. Express the probability as a fraction, a decimal, or a percent

Assessment limit: Use a sample space of no more than 60 outcomes

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item

Justine has 6 blue shirts, 2 red shirts, and 5 green shirts in her closet. On Monday, she randomly chooses a blue shirt. She does not put the blue shirt back in the closet.

Step A

What is the probability that Justine will randomly select a green shirt on Tuesday?

Step B

Use what you know about probability to explain how you determined the probability that Justine will randomly select a green shirt on Tuesday. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_013.xml

Correct Answer:
Step A
or equivalent

Assessment limit:
Use a sample space of no more than 60 outcomes

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item

A box contains 5 bags of potato chips, 4 bags of pretzels and 1 bag of corn chips. Andre reaches in the box and randomly picks two bags, one after the other. What is the probability that Andre chooses a bag of potato chips if the first bag was pretzels?

  1. 1/10
  2. 4/9
  3. 1/2
  4. 5/9
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_022.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Assessment limit:
Use a sample space of no more than 60 outcomes

Selected Response Item

Mr. Rosart selects two students from his class to present their book reports. He places the names of each student in a box and randomly picks one at a time. The class has 14 boys and 12 girls. What is the probability that the second name Mr. Rosart picks is a boy, if the first one is a boy also? Round your answer to the nearest percent.

  1. 46%
  2. 50%
  3. 52%
  4. 55%
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_023.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Assessment limit:
Use a sample space of no more than 60 outcomes

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Student Produced Response (SPR) Item

Douglas has a box with 49 paper clips. Of the paper clips, 15 are yellow, 9 are red, 6 are blue, 11 are orange, and 8 are green. Douglas randomly picks 2 paper clips from the box. If the first paper clip is red, what is the probability that the second paper clip is blue?

blank SPR form

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_024.xml

Correct Answer:
6/48

Assessment limit:
Use a sample space of no more than 60 outcomes

View Scoring Information

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item

Manny has 5 action DVD's, 4 comedy DVD's, and 7 drama DVD's. A friend borrows one of the drama DVD's. Manny decides to watch one of his remaining DVD's. He randomly picks one to watch.

Step A

What is the probability that Manny chooses an action DVD?

Step B

Use what you know about probability to explain how you determined the probability that Manny will randomly select an action DVD. Use words, numbers, and/or symbols in your explanation.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_8_025.xml

Assessment limit:
Use a sample space of no more than 60 outcomes

View Scoring Information
Resources for Objective 5.B.2.a:
Clarifications | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS | Public Release Items |