MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 2-2: Represent and Describe Data in a Histogram

Grade 6 Mathematics · Standard 6.DS.5

Name: Date:

These are MSTAR-style questions written for this curriculum to rehearse the format. They are not official Maryland assessment items. MSTAR — Maryland's new state test, first given in spring 2027 — uses the same kinds of questions you see here: selected response, select-all, two-part evidence questions, and written responses.

Part A — Skills Check

Warm up with the lesson's core skills — one best answer each.

Question 1Selected response · 1 point

A histogram shows these frequencies: 0–4: 3 players, 5–9: 8 players, 10–14: 12 players, 15–19: 5 players. How many players are represented in total?

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

In a histogram, what does the height of each bar represent?

AThe frequency (count) of data in that interval
BThe average of the data in that interval
CThe range of the interval
DThe median of the data

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

How is a histogram different from a regular bar graph?

AHistogram bars touch (no gaps) because the intervals are continuous ranges
BThere is no difference
CHistograms have more bars than bar graphs
DBar graphs show numbers and histograms show words

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

A histogram has intervals: 0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–19. What is the width of each interval?

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

A histogram bar for the interval 20–29 reaches a height of 7. What does the 7 tell you?

AThe largest value is 7
BThere are 7 intervals
CThe interval is 7 wide
D7 data values fall between 20 and 29

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

A histogram of test scores shows: 50–59: 2, 60–69: 5, 70–79: 10, 80–89: 8, 90–99: 3. Which interval has the most students?

A60–69 with 5 students
B70–79 with 10 students
C80–89 with 8 students
D90–99 with 3 students

Part B — Test-Format Questions

These match the state test's formats: two-part questions, select-all, and written responses.

Question 7Two-part question

Part A

A histogram uses intervals 0–9, 10–19, 20–29, and 30–39. A data value of 19 belongs in which interval?

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

A10–19
B0–9
C20–29
DIt belongs in two intervals.

Part B

Answer Part A before Part B — Part B asks about your reasoning.

Why are the bars of a histogram drawn with no gaps between them?

AGaps would make the histogram too wide.
BThe intervals are continuous, so the bars show one unbroken range of values.
CHistograms always use exactly four bars.
DThe bars represent categories that must touch.

Question 8Select all that apply

Select ALL statements that are true about histograms:

Mark the box next to EVERY answer that is true. More than one is correct.

AThe intervals must be equal in width.
BThe height of each bar is the frequency of values in that interval.
CBars touch because the intervals are continuous.
DYou can read every individual data value directly off a histogram.
EIntervals must not overlap.

Part C — Show Your Thinking

Answer in writing, the way the state test's constructed responses work.

Question 9Written response · 2 points

A teacher collected test scores and made two different histograms — one with intervals of 5 (50–54, 55–59, etc.) and one with intervals of 20 (50–69, 70–89, 90–109). Both use the same data. How might the two histograms look different? Which interval size gives you more detail about the distribution? When might the larger interval be better?

Write your answer in complete sentences. Show or explain your mathematical thinking.