Question Stem Phrases

How are these two test questions DIFFERENT?

1. What is 2+2?A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8

2. What is Mary’s favorite color?A. pink B. blue C. red D. purple

Mary is wearing a pink scarf and a pink hat. The trim on her porch is pink, as is her laundry basket. What is Mary’s favorite color?

A. pink B. blue C. red D. purple

Mary is wearing a pink scarf and a pink hat. The trim on her porch is pink, as is her laundry basket. What is most likely to be Mary’s favorite color?

A. pink B. blue C. red D. purple

When you see the words LIKELY, MOST, MORE or BEST in the question part of a math test stem, it usually means:

• there is not one single correct answer, but many answers that may be correct

• clues that will help you make a good guess are in the stem before the part where the question is asked

• the choice that matches best with the clues given in the stem is the right choice

Which question is written correctly?

Mark asked for pizza for his birthday. Mark has a pizza oven in his kitchen and has learned how to make his own pizza. Mark has Dominos, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s on speed dial.

What is Mark’s favorite food?

Mark asked for pizza for his birthday. Mark has a pizza oven in his kitchen and has learned how to make his own pizza. Mark has Dominos, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s on speed dial.

What is most likely to be Mark’s favorite food?

Robert builds a path out of bricks. Each brick is a square, six inches long on all sides. He lays twenty-four bricks end-to-end.

How long is Robert’s path?

Robert builds a path out of bricks. Each brick is a square, six inches long on all sides. He lays twenty-four bricks end-to-end.

How long is Robert’s path most likely to be?

More practice: Which is the right way to phrase the

question?

1. Jenny runs twice a week. On Tuesdays she runs two miles. On Thursdays she runs four miles.

• A. How many miles does Jenny most likely run in a week?

• B. How many miles does Jenny run in a week

2. Tom went to Johnson’s Store and bought two pairs of pants, five pairs of socks, and three shirts.

• A. What type of store is Johnson’s Store most likely to be?

• B. What type of store is Johnson’s Store

3. Tom went to Johnson’s Store and bought two pairs of pants, five pairs of socks, and three shirts.

• A. How many items did Tom most likely buy?

• B. How many items did Tom buy?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which graph best describes how well Diggity Dog Brand Dog Food has sold over the past

year?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which graph best describes how well Diggity Dog Brand Dog Food has sold over the past

year?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

What scatterplot best fits the data set?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

What scatterplot best fits the data set?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which poster best represents why Harry should be class president?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which poster best represents why Harry should be class president?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which route is Laura more likely to take?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which route is Laura more likely to take?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which is the best name for Paula’s restaurant?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which is the best name for Paula’s restaurant?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which argument best supports Richard’s answer?

“Most likely” is common, but there are other phrases that let you know the answer is a best guess, and not an absolute right answer:

Which argument best supports Richard’s answer?