MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 8-4: Write and Represent Inequalities

Grade 6 Mathematics · Standard 6.AT.9

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 inequality represents: 'The temperature is less than 40 degrees'?

At < 40
Bt > 40
Ct ≤ 40
Dt = 40

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

Which inequality represents: 'You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride'?

Ah ≥ 48
Bh > 48
Ch < 48
Dh ≤ 48

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

Which inequality represents: 'A store can hold no more than 75 people'?

Ap ≤ 75
Bp < 75
Cp ≥ 75
Dp > 75

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

Which inequality represents: 'The speed limit is more than 25 mph'?

As > 25
Bs ≥ 25
Cs < 25
Ds = 25

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

A parking garage charges if your stay is more than 2 hours. Which inequality represents times t that are charged?

At > 2
Bt ≥ 2
Ct < 2
Dt ≤ 2

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

A clue says the suspect carried at least 12 stolen gems. Which inequality shows the number g of gems?

Ag ≥ 12
Bg > 12
Cg ≤ 12
Dg < 12

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 fair ride requires each rider to be at least 48 inches tall. Let h be a rider's height in inches. Which inequality represents the heights that are allowed to ride?

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

Ah ≥ 48
Bh > 48
Ch ≤ 48
Dh < 48

Part B

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

Which explanation justifies the symbol chosen above?

AThe words 'at least' mean a rider must be taller than 48 inches, so 48 inches is not allowed.
BThe words 'at least' point to the smallest numbers, so riders must be shorter than 48 inches.
CThe words 'at least' include the boundary value, so a rider who is exactly 48 inches tall may ride.
DThe words 'at least' and 'at most' describe the same group of heights, so either symbol works.

Question 8Written response · 2 points

Type II Reasoning: Reversing 'No More Than'

Priya read this situation: 'A backpack can hold no more than 15 pounds.' She let w stand for the number of pounds in the backpack and wrote the inequality w ≥ 15.

Explain Priya's misconception and give the correct inequality.

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

Write two different real-world situations: one that uses > and one that uses ≥. Explain why the situations need different symbols even though both mean 'bigger.'

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