MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 3-5: Compare Ratio Relationships

Grade 6 Mathematics · Standard 6.AT.3

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

Chef A uses 2 cups of cheese for every 8 crackers. Chef B uses 3 cups of cheese for every 9 crackers. Who uses more cheese per cracker?

AChef A
BChef B
CThey use the same amount
DCannot determine

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

Which ratio is greater: 3:4 or 5:8?

A5:8
B3:4
CThey are equal
DCannot determine

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

Which lemonade recipe is more lemony? Recipe A: 2 lemons for 6 cups of water. Recipe B: 3 lemons for 7 cups of water.

ARecipe B
BRecipe A
CThey are the same
DCannot determine

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

Which is the better deal: 4 apples for $3 or 6 apples for $5?

A6 apples for $5
B4 apples for $3
CThey cost the same
DCannot determine

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

Store A sells 3 mangoes for $6. Store B sells 5 mangoes for $9. Which store offers a better price per mango?

AStore A
BSame price
CStore B
DCannot determine

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

Chef Academy's snack bar sells 3 mini quiches for $6 or 5 mini quiches for $8. Which is the better deal per quiche?

A3 quiches for $6
B5 quiches for $8
CThey cost the same
DCannot determine

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

Car A travels 180 miles on 6 gallons. Car B travels 225 miles on 9 gallons. Which car gets better gas mileage?

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

ACar B, at 25 miles per gallon
BCar B, because it traveled farther
CThey are equal
DCar A, at 30 miles per gallon

Part B

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

Why is comparing total miles alone NOT enough to decide which car is more efficient?

ATotal miles is never a useful measurement.
BThe car with fewer miles is always more efficient.
CThe cars used different amounts of gas, so the totals are not comparable until each is expressed per gallon.
DEfficiency depends only on the size of the gas tank.

Question 8Written response · 2 points

Type II Reasoning: Comparing Totals Instead of Rates

Jaden compared two paint sizes: a 3-gallon can for $54 and a 5-gallon can for $85. He wrote: 'The 3-gallon can is the better deal because $54 is less than $85.'

Explain Jaden's misconception and determine which can is actually the better deal.

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

Part C — Show Your Thinking

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

Question 9Written response · 2 points

Store A sells 5 notebooks for $12. Store B sells 8 notebooks for $20. Without calculating, a student says Store B must be cheaper because you get more notebooks. Is the student's reasoning valid? Find the unit rates to prove your answer.

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