Unit 8 MSTAR-Style Practice Test — Form B

Equations & Inequalities · 7 questions · English only, like the real test · No timer — take the time you need.

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.

How this works: Answer every question, then press Submit & Grade. Selected-response parts grade instantly with an explanation for each; written responses go to your teacher. Your answers save on this device.

On the real MSTAR: math runs as three 40-minute sessions, in English, on a computer. Here there is no clock — practice the thinking first; the pacing comes with rehearsal.

Written responses: how should the explain-the-error questions be scored?

Instant scoring checks whether your explanation states the value and uses the reasoning the question is about. It matches words and numbers, so a right answer worded differently can score low — your teacher can always re-score it from the answer key.

16.AT.8Understand Equations and Their Solutions

Part A

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

m = 9 m = 16 m = 23 m = 30

Part B

Which reasoning best justifies that answer?

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

26.AT.8Write and Solve Equations Using Addition or Subtraction

Part A

Which value of n is the solution of n − 18 = 27?

n = 9 n = 18 n = 27 n = 45

Part B

Which reasoning justifies the step used to find that answer?

Because 18 is subtracted from n, adding 18 to both sides is the inverse operation that leaves n by itself. Because the equation shows subtraction, 18 should be subtracted from both sides as well. Because the number written after the equal sign is always the value of the variable. Because the smaller number in a subtraction equation is always the solution.

36.AT.8Write and Solve Equations Using Multiplication or Division

Select all that apply

Select ALL equations that have x = 8 as their solution.

4x = 32 x ÷ 2 = 4 3x = 21 x ÷ 4 = 32 56 = 7x

46.AT.9Write and Represent Inequalities

Explain the error

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.

✍️ Written response — 2 points.

56.AT.9Understand Inequalities and Their Solutions

Part A

A number line shows an open circle at 7, and the shading covers the numbers to the right of 7. Which inequality does this graph represent?

x > 7 x ≥ 7 x < 7 x ≤ 7

Part B

Why is the circle at 7 open instead of closed?

An open circle is used whenever the shading points to the right. An open circle shows that 7 is included in the solution set. The symbol > does not include 7, so 7 is not in the solution set and the boundary point stays unfilled. Every inequality graph uses an open circle at its boundary point.

66.AT.8Solve and Graph Inequalities

Part A

Solve n − 6 > 9. Which number line shows the solution set?

An open circle at 3 with shading to the right An open circle at 15 with shading to the right A closed circle at 15 with shading to the right An open circle at 15 with shading to the left

Part B

Which reasoning supports that graph?

Adding 6 to both sides gives n > 15, and > leaves the boundary point unfilled with shading toward the larger numbers. Subtracting 6 from both sides gives n > 3, and > leaves the boundary point unfilled. Adding 6 to both sides gives n > 15, and the circle is filled in because 15 makes the inequality true. Adding a number to both sides reverses the inequality symbol, so the shading points to the left.

76.AT.8Equations and Inequalities Problem Solving

Select all that apply

A club has already sold 46 tickets and must sell at least 120 tickets in all. Let t be the number of additional tickets the club sells. Select ALL statements that are true about this situation.

The inequality 46 + t ≥ 120 models the situation. The club must sell at least 74 more tickets to reach its goal. Selling exactly 74 more tickets reaches the goal. The inequality 46 + t ≤ 120 models the situation. Selling 70 more tickets reaches the goal.