Winter Holiday Math & Reading — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Lily had 17 ornaments. She broke 8 of them. How many are left?
A) 25
B) 8
C) 10
D) 9
17 - 8 = 9. If 8 of the 17 ornaments broke, 9 are still whole.
2. Why do some animals hibernate in winter?
A) They are bored.
B) Food is hard to find and it is very cold.
C) They want to play in spring.
D) They do not like snow.
Winter has freezing temperatures and very little food. Sleeping deeply (hibernation) helps animals save energy until spring.
3. A store had 9 red scarves and 8 blue scarves. How many scarves in all?
A) 1
B) 16
C) 17
D) 18
9 + 8 = 17. You can think: 9 + 1 makes 10, then 7 more makes 17 scarves total.
4. What happens to water when the temperature drops below freezing?
A) It evaporates.
B) It stays the same.
C) It turns into ice.
D) It becomes steam.
Water freezes at 32°F (0°C) and becomes solid ice. Evaporation and steam happen with heat, not cold.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. 15 minus 6 minus 2 equals 7.
Subtract in order: 15 - 6 = 9, then 9 - 2 = 7. You could also see 6 + 2 = 8, then 15 - 8 = 7.
2. Snow is white because it reflects light.
Snowflakes have many tiny ice crystals that bounce sunlight in all directions. All that reflected light mixed together looks white to our eyes.
3. 9 plus 8 equals 17.
9 + 8 = 17. You can think: 9 + 1 makes 10, then 7 more makes 17.
4. Animals grow thicker fur to stay warm in winter.
Many animals grow an extra thick layer of fur before winter hits. The fur traps body heat like a warm coat.
5. 13 minus 4 equals 9.
13 - 4 = 9. You can count back 4 from 13: 12, 11, 10, 9.