Table of Contents > Cluster 4 > Open-ended Items > Sample 3

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HSPA Math Macro 4c: Using algebraic concepts and processes
in real-world situations

Sample Open-ended Item #3


Sample Item

You are the service manager at an auto repair shop. You charge $22 per hour for labor plus the cost of any parts. A car needed $256 of new parts. The final bill for the car was $421.
  • How long did it take to repair the car? Explain your answer.
  • Write an algebraic equation to solve this problem. Show all work.

Item Introduction

View a video introduction to the scoring of this item by clicking on one of the links below:

Sample Responses

Click on a link below to view individual student responses and scorer comments to this sample test item: 

"0" Response | "1" Response | "2" Response | "3" Response | Top


"0" Response

This response scored a "0" because it fails to show a process or any work.

"0" Response | "1" Response | "2" Response | "3" Response | Top


"1" Response

This response scored a "1" because the answer is correct, and an attempt was made to draft an algebraic equation.  The equation is not correctly structured. 

"0" Response | "1" Response | "2" Response | "3" Response | Top


"2" Response

This response scored a "2" because, although the answer is correct and the work shows how to arrive at the correct answer, the response fails to set up an algebraic equation.

"0" Response | "1" Response | "2" Response | "3" Response | Top


"3" Response

This response scored a "3" because the answer is correct and the solution is clearly explained.  In addition, the individual variables being manipulated are clearly labeled.

"0" Response | "1" Response | "2" Response | "3" Response | Top


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