MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 7-4: Compare and Order Integers and Rational Numbers

Grade 6 Mathematics · Standard 6.NOS.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 statement is TRUE?

A-5 < -2
B-4 > 0
C-3 > -1
D-1 < -6

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

Which integer is the LEAST: -3, 5, -8, 2, 0?

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

What is |−8|?

A0
B8
C−8
D−16

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

Three cities have temperatures of -12°F, -5°F, and 3°F. Which city is warmest?

A-5°F
B-12°F
C3°F
DThey are equal

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

Four spots: -3 m, 2 m, -7 m, 0 m. Order them from least to greatest.

A-7, -3, 0, 2
B-7, -3, 2, 0
C-3, -7, 0, 2
D2, 0, -3, -7

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

Three buried chests sit at -9 m, -4 m, and -15 m below sea level. Which chest is at the GREATEST elevation (closest to the surface)?

A-9 m
B-15 m
CThey are equal
D-4 m

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

Order these numbers from LEAST to GREATEST: −2, 1.5, −4.5, 0, 3.

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

A−2, −4.5, 0, 1.5, 3
B3, 1.5, 0, −2, −4.5
C−4.5, −2, 0, 1.5, 3
D−4.5, −2, 0, 3, 1.5

Part B

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

Which statement correctly compares −4.5 and −2?

A−4.5 > −2, because 4.5 > 2.
B−4.5 < −2, because −4.5 lies further left on the number line.
CThey are equal in value.
D−4.5 > −2, because it is further from zero.

Question 8Select all that apply

Select ALL comparisons that are TRUE:

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

A−7 < −2
B0 > −1
C−0.5 > −1.5
D−10 > −3
E2.5 > −9

Part C — Show Your Thinking

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

Question 9Written response · 2 points

A student says: 'Negative numbers are always less than positive numbers, so -100 is less than 1.' Is this correct? Now the student says: '-100 is less than -1 because 100 is greater than 1.' Is THIS correct? Explain the difference.

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