Likelihood Language

Question 1

Why do we say pulling a red ball from a bag that has mostly red balls is "likely" instead of "certain"?

Accepted Answer

Most of the balls are red, so you will probably get a red ball, but a few balls are not red, so it isn’t guaranteed.

Answer

All the balls are red, so you will definitely get a red ball.

Answer

There are the same number of red and non‑red balls, so the chance is an even chance.

Answer

It is impossible to pull a red ball because the bag is mostly red.

Question 2

A jar has 9 orange jelly beans and 1 purple jelly bean. If you close your eyes and pick one jelly bean, which statement best explains why picking an orange jelly bean is "likely" but not "certain"?

Accepted Answer

Because there is at least one purple jelly bean that could be chosen, there is a chance you might not get orange, so the event is likely but not guaranteed.

Answer

Because most of the jelly beans are orange, you are guaranteed to pick an orange one.

Answer

Since you can see the jelly beans, you can choose an orange one, making the outcome certain.

Answer

The word "likely" means the same as "certain," so the event is certain.

Question 3

Which word best describes the chance that a regular six‑sided die will land on the number 7 when it is rolled?

Accepted Answer

impossible

Answer

unlikely

Answer

even chance

Answer

likely

Try three questions

Why do we say pulling a red ball from a bag that has mostly red balls is "likely" instead of "certain"?

A jar has 9 orange jelly beans and 1 purple jelly bean. If you close your eyes and pick one jelly bean, which statement best explains why picking an orange jelly bean is "likely" but not "certain"?

Which word best describes the chance that a regular six‑sided die will land on the number 7 when it is rolled?

Keep going on this shelf