MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 8-1: Understand Equations and Their Solutions

Grade 6 Mathematics · Standard 6.AT.8

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

Which equation represents: 'A number plus 12 equals 30'?

An + 12 = 30
Bn − 12 = 30
C12n = 30
Dn / 12 = 30

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

Which equation represents: 'Seven less than a number is 18'?

An − 7 = 18
B7 − n = 18
Cn + 7 = 18
Dn / 7 = 18

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

Which equation represents: 'Three times a number equals 21'?

A3n = 21
Bn + 3 = 21
Cn − 3 = 21
Dn / 3 = 21

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

Is n = 3 a solution of n + 5 = 9?

AYes, because 3 is smaller than 9
BNo, because 3 + 5 = 8, which does not equal 9
CYes, because 3 + 5 is close to 9
DYou cannot tell without solving first

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

Which equation represents: 'A number divided by 4 equals 8'?

An / 4 = 8
B4n = 8
Cn − 4 = 8
Dn + 4 = 8

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

A detective found some fingerprints on Monday and 14 more on Tuesday, for a total of 30. Which equation represents this?

Af + 14 = 30
Bf − 14 = 30
C14f = 30
Df / 14 = 30

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

Marisol tests values in the equation 7 + m = 23. Which value of m makes the equation true?

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

Am = 9
Bm = 16
Cm = 23
Dm = 30

Part B

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

Which reasoning best justifies that answer?

AAdding the two numbers written in the equation, 7 + 23, gives the value of m.
BThe equal sign means the answer is always the number written to the right of it.
CSubstituting 16 for m gives 7 + 16 = 23, so both sides of the equation have the same value.
DAny number can replace m because m is a variable, and variables can change.

Question 8Select all that apply

Select ALL statements that are true about equations and their solutions.

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

AAn equation is a math sentence that uses an equal sign to show two expressions have the same value.
BYou can test a value by substituting it for the variable and checking whether both sides are equal.
CThe value n = 6 is a solution of n + 9 = 15 because 6 + 9 = 15.
DThe expression 4y + 2 is an equation because it contains a variable.
EThe value x = 15 is a solution of x − 4 = 9 because 15 − 4 = 9.

Part C — Show Your Thinking

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

Question 9Written response · 2 points

Write a real-world situation that can be modeled by the equation n / 5 = 9. Explain what n represents and verify your equation makes sense.

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