6th Grade Math Textbook, Fundamentals

Test-Taking Tips

• Underline important words.


• Restate the question.


• Apply appropriate rules,
  definitions, or properties.


• Analyze and eliminate
  answer choices.

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Test Prep: Multiple-Choice Questions

Strategy: Apply Mathematical Reasoning

When solving multiple-choice questions, you can
sometimes estimate the answer and then use your
estimate to determine which answer choices are
reasonable and which can be eliminated. Even if
only one answer choice seems reasonable, you
should check that answer to be sure it is correct.

Read the whole test item, including the answer choices.

• Underline important words.
  Cleo uses about 63 feet of rope.
  What is the radius to the nearest foot?


• Restate the question in your own words.
  About how long is the radius if the circumference
  is 63 feet?

Solve the problem.

• Use an estimate of  to simplify the formula for the
  circumference.
  3 so C2 • 3 • r, or 6r.


• Apply mathematical reasoning and use mental math
  to estimate the radius.
  C 6 rso 63  6 r.
  Using mental math, the value of ris about 10.

Sample Test Item

Cleo uses about 63 feet of rope to put

a border around a circular garden.

What is the radius, to the nearest foot,

of the garden?

A.3 ft C.10 ft

B.5 ft D.20 ft

circumference  2 r

63 ft

page 335 for exercise sets.

Choose the correct answer. Explain how you used strategies.

1.Which whole number is closest to?

A. 7

B. 8

C. 10

D. 70

2.Randy is buying a DVD that is regularly

$17.89 and is on sale for off. About how much

should Randy expect to pay for the DVD?

F.$6 H.$12

G.$9 J.$15

1

3

70

Choose the answer.

• Analyze and eliminate answer choices.
  Watch out for distractors.
  A.3 ft Three is an estimate of . Eliminate this choice.
  B.5 ft This length is too short. Eliminate this choice.
  C.10 ft This is the correct choice!
  D.20 ft This is the approximate length of the diameter. Eliminate this choice.