Winter Holiday Math & Reading — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. A snowplow cleared 15 streets in the morning and 8 in the afternoon. How many streets were cleared in all?
A) 7
B) 22
C) 23
D) 24
15 + 8 = 23. You can split 8 into 5 + 3: add 5 to 15 to make 20, then add 3 more to get 23.
2. Read: "The owl perched silently on the bare branch." What does bare mean here?
A) Covered in snow
B) Full of green leaves
C) Without any leaves
D) Very tall
A 'bare' branch has nothing on it — no leaves, no flowers. In winter, most trees look bare after their leaves have fallen off.
3. There were 19 birds at a feeder. Then 7 flew away. How many birds are still at the feeder?
A) 11
B) 12
C) 13
D) 26
19 - 7 = 12. If 7 of the 19 birds flew off, 12 are still eating at the feeder.
4. Why do squirrels gather nuts before winter?
A) They like to play with them.
B) They need food stored for when it is hard to find.
C) They want to share with birds.
D) They are building a house.
Food is scarce in the cold winter months, so squirrels bury nuts in fall. They dig these stored nuts up later when nothing else is available to eat.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. 9 plus 4 plus 6 equals 19.
Add in order: 9 + 4 = 13, then 13 + 6 = 19. You could also notice 4 + 6 = 10, then 10 + 9 = 19.
2. An owl hunts for food mostly at night.
Owls are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. Their huge eyes and excellent hearing help them catch prey in the dark.
3. 17 minus 8 equals 9.
17 - 8 = 9. You can count back 8 from 17 or use the fact 8 + 9 = 17.
4. A snowstorm with very strong winds is called a blizzard.
A blizzard is more than just snow — it is a powerful storm with heavy snowfall and strong winds. Blizzards can make it hard to see even a few feet away.
5. 8 plus 3 plus 7 equals 18.
Add in order: 8 + 3 = 11, then 11 + 7 = 18. You could also notice 3 + 7 = 10, then 10 + 8 = 18.