MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 6-15: Simplify Algebraic Expressions

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

Simplify 7x + 3x.

A10x
B10x²
C21x
D73x

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

Simplify 9n + 4 + 2n.

A11n + 4
B11n² + 4
C15n
D92n + 4

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

Which pair are like terms?

A6x and 2x
B6x and 6y
C6x and 6
D6x and 2x²

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

Simplify 5a + 3 + 2a.

A7a + 3
B7a² + 3
C10a
D52a + 3

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

The board shows 3x + 5x on one channel. Simplify it.

A8x
B8x²
C15x
D35x

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

Simplify the track: 4a + 2 + a.

A5a + 2
B5a²+ 2
C6a
D7a

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

Simplify the expression 8x + 3 + 2x − 1.

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

A6x + 2
B10x + 2
C10x + 4
D12x

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?

A8x and 2x share the same variable part, so add their coefficients to get 10x. The constants 3 and −1 combine separately to 2, giving 10x + 2.
BCombine every number in the expression into one coefficient: 8 + 3 + 2 − 1 = 12, giving 12x.
CSubtract the coefficients of the variable terms: 8 − 2 = 6, giving 6x + 2.
DAdd the coefficients of the variable terms and then add both constants: 10x + 4.

Question 8Select all that apply

Select ALL statements that are true about the expression 5y + 7 + 3y + y.

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

A5y, 3y, and y are like terms.
BThe coefficient of the term y is 1.
CThe simplified expression is 9y + 7.
DThe simplified expression is 16y.
E7 is a constant and cannot be combined with the y terms.
FThe simplified expression is 8y + 7.

Part C — Show Your Thinking

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

Question 9Written response · 2 points

Three students simplified 4x + 3 + 2x + 5 + x differently. Student A got 7x + 8. Student B got 7x² + 8. Student C got 6x + 9. Who is correct? Explain the mistakes the other two students made.

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