Grade 1

In the 1st grade, instructional time focuses on developing understanding in the following three areas: (1) addition, subtractions, and strategies for addition and subtraction within 20; (2) whole number relationship and place value, including grouping in tens and ones; and (3) linear measurement and using length units.

Below, you will find examples of the types of question and answer sets students who have placed in Grade 1 on the MLS can access but may not have yet mastered. All questions appear in the target language of the test on the MLS.

In order to accommodate for varying reading skill levels with regard to 1st grade content, MLS Grade 1 math questions also include an audio component. This audio will cover only the written portions of the question that may require higher reading comprehension levels. The audio prompts do not read aloud the equations, numbers, or answer choices. Examples below are organized by NYS Next Generation Learning Standard. By clicking on the drop-down, you will find an example of what the audio would include for the given sample question, as well as the correct answer and the corresponding EngageNY curriculum that the question was adapted from.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Example 1: NGLS Standard NY-1.OA.1

There are 9 ducks swimming along in a line. There are 2 grown-up ducks, and the rest are babies. How many of the ducks are babies? A. 9 minus 2 equals 7. B. 9 minus 2 equals 5. C. 9 minus 3 equals 6. D. 9 minus 3 equals 7

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to represent and solve problems involving subtraction. To show mastery of this skill, the student must be able to represent the information provided in the word problem using an equation.

Correct Answer: A

Audio Prompt: "There are 9 ducks swimming along in a line. There are 2 grown-up ducks, and the rest are babies. How many of the ducks are babies?"

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-1, p. 488

Example 2: NGLS Standard NY-1.OA.6b

Solve: 5 plus blank equals 7. A. 1. B. 2. C. 3. D. 4.

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to add and subtract fluently within 10. To show mastery of this skill, the student must use strategies such as counting on, using the relationship between addition and subtraction, and creating equivalent but easier or known sums in order to solve the equation.

Correct Answer: B

Audio Prompt: "Solve."

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-1, p.180

Example 3: NGLS Standard NY-1.OA.7

Which equation is false? A. 3 plus 1 equals 2 plus 2. B. 9 plus 1 equals 1 plus 2. C. 2 plus 3 equals 1 plus 4. D. 5 plus 1 equals 4 plus 2

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to work with addition equations. To show mastery of this skill, the student must understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine which equation involving addition is false.

Correct Answer: B

Audio Prompt: "Which equation is false?"

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-1, p.228

Number and Operations in Base Ten

Example 1: NGLS Standard NY-1.NBT.1

Fill in the missing number in the sequence. 16, blank, 18, 19, 20. Options: A. 13, B., C. 17, D. 71

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to extend the counting sequence. To show mastery of this skill, the student must be able to read and identify the missing numeral.

Correct Answer: C

Audio Prompt: "Fill in the missing number in the sequence."

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-4, p.166

Example 2: NGLS Standard NY-1.NBT.2

There are blank tens in the number 31. A. 1, B. 2, C. 3, D. thirty

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to understand place value. To show mastery of this skill, the student must understand how to decompose the two digits of a two-digit number into amounts of tens and ones.

Correct Answer: C

Audio Prompt: "There are blank tens in the number 31."

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-4, p.166

Example 3: NGLS Standard NY-1.NBT.3

Which number sentence is true? A. 6 tens is greater than 42 ones. B. 69 is less than 75. C. 75 is equal to 6 tens and 15 ones. D. 8 tens and 14 ones is equal to 7 tens and 4 ones

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to compare pairs of two-digit numbers. To show mastery of this skill, the student must demonstrate how to properly use the symbols >, =, and <.

Correct Answer: D

Audio Prompt: "Which number sentence is true?"

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-6, p.343

Measurement and Data

Example 1: NGLS Standard NY-1.MD.1

Order the rectangles from shortest to longest: The image shows 3 labeled rectangles (A, B, C) laid out horizontally against a background of alternating light and dark vertical stripes. Rectangle A spans 4 vertical stripes.Rectangle B spans 2 vertical stripes. Rectangle C spans 3 vertical stripes. Answer Options: A is A, B, C. Answer B is B, A, C. Answer C is C, A, B. Answer D is B, C, A.

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to measure lengths indirectly. To show mastery of this skill, the student must order the three objects by length, given the lines of measurement provided.

Correct Answer: D

Audio Prompt: "Order the rectangles from shortest to longest."

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-3, p.52

Example 2: NGLS Standard NY-1.MD.4

Students voted on their favorite type of museum to visit. Each student could only vote once. A table is shown that is divided into 2 columns and three rows. Row 1 is labeled Science Museum and shows 6 stick figures in the second column. Row 2 is labeled Art Museum and shows 8 stick figures in the second column. Row 3 is labeled History Museum and shows 6 stick figures. How many more students liked the Art Museum than the Science Museum? A. 1, B. 2, C. 5, D. 6.

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to interpret data with up to three categories. To show mastery of this skill, the student must interpret the given data in order to answer questions about how many more or less are in one category than in another.

Correct Answer: B

Audio Prompt: "Students voted on their favorite type of museum to visit. Each student could only vote once. How many more students liked the Art Museum than the Science Museum?"

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-3, p.158

Geometry

Example 1: NGLS Standard NY-1.G.3

Which circle shows halves? Circle A: A circle divided in two by a single vertical line through its center. Circle B: A circle with an inscribed triangle, formed by two lines meeting at the top of the circle and extending to the bottom edge. Circle C: A circle with two parallel, horizontal lines drawn inside, dividing it into three unequal sections. Circle D: A circle with a right angle formed by two lines originating from the center and extending to the outer edge, dividing a quarter of the circle.

View Rationale and Additional Information

This question is asking the student to reason with shapes and their attributes. To show mastery of this skill, the student must know how to partition a circle into two equal shares, and describe the shares using the word halves.

Correct Answer: A

Audio Prompt: "Which circle shows halves?"

Adapted from: EngageNY Math Full Module 1-5, p.187

Page updated

Report abuse