MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 6-14: The Distributive Property

Grade 6 Mathematics · Standard 6.AT.7

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

Expand 6(n + 3) using the distributive property.

A6n + 18
B6n + 3
C6n + 9
Dn + 18

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

Expand 4(5 − 2) using the distributive property.

A9
B12
C20 − 2
D22

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

Expand 3(x + 4) using the distributive property.

A3x + 12
B3x + 4
C7x
Dx + 12

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

When using the distributive property with a(b + c), you must multiply 'a' by:

AOnly b
BOnly c
Cb + c first, then multiply
DBoth b and c

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

Light Cue 1: Expand 3(x + 4) for the stage-light controller.

A3x + 12
B3x + 4
C3x + 7
Dx + 12

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

Light Cue 2: Expand 5(2 + n) to set two spotlight banks.

A7 + 5n
B10 + 5n
C10 + n
D10 + 5

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

Which expression is equivalent to 6(2x + 5)?

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

A2x + 30
B12x + 30
C12x + 5
D12x + 11

Part B

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

Which reasoning shows why your answer to Part A is correct?

AMultiply the outside factor by the second term only and copy the first term: 2x + 30.
BMultiply the outside factor by every term inside the parentheses: 6 · 2x = 12x and 6 · 5 = 30, giving 12x + 30.
CMultiply 6 by 2x, then add 6 and 5 instead of multiplying them: 12x + 11.
DMultiply the outside factor by the first term only and copy the second term: 12x + 5.

Question 8Written response · 2 points

Type II Reasoning: Pulling Out a Smaller Factor

Elena was asked to factor 18m + 24 completely. She wrote 18m + 24 = 2(9m + 12) and said she was finished because 2 divides both terms.

Explain Elena's misconception and give the completely factored expression.

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

Use the distributive property to explain why 6 × 98 can be calculated as 6 × 100 − 6 × 2 = 588. Then create your own example of using the distributive property to make multiplication easier.

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