Multi-Step Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A pet store has 6 tanks with 4 fish each. They sell 9 fish. There are 33 fish left.
Corrected: A pet store has 6 tanks with 4 fish each. They sell 9 fish. There are 15 fish left.
Multiply first: 6 × 4 = 24 fish. Then subtract 9 sold: 24 - 9 = 15 fish left, not 33.
2. Fix the sentence:
Ella has 45 marbles and wins 15 more. She splits them into 6 equal groups of 8 each.
Corrected: Ella has 45 marbles and wins 15 more. She splits them into 6 equal groups of 10 each.
Add first: 45 + 15 = 60 marbles. Then divide: 60 ÷ 6 = 10 marbles per group, not 8.
3. Fix the sentence:
A class has 5 rows of 7 desks. The teacher removes 3 desks. There are 38 desks left.
Corrected: A class has 5 rows of 7 desks. The teacher removes 3 desks. There are 32 desks left.
Multiply first: 5 × 7 = 35 desks. Then subtract 3 removed: 35 - 3 = 32, not 38.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A bus has 28 passengers. At the first stop 9 get off and 5 get on. Now there are 24 passengers.
Subtract those leaving: 28 - 9 = 19. Then add those boarding: 19 + 5 = 24 passengers now.
2. Ryan buys 3 packs of 8 trading cards and gives 7 cards to his friend. He has 17 cards left.
Multiply first: 3 × 8 = 24 cards. Then subtract 7 given away: 24 - 7 = 17 cards left.
3. A garden has 4 rows of 6 tomato plants. The gardener adds 11 more plants. There are 35 plants now.
Multiply first: 4 × 6 = 24 plants. Then add 11 more: 24 + 11 = 35 plants total.
4. Kai has 50 stickers. He uses 18 for one poster and 14 for another. He has 18 stickers left.
Add stickers used: 18 + 14 = 32. Then subtract from 50: 50 - 32 = 18 stickers left.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. A shop sells 3 boxes of 9 donuts and 7 single donuts. It sells 34 donuts in all.
True False
3 × 9 = 27 donuts in boxes, then 27 + 7 = 34 total. The statement is correct.
2. Pablo has 40 coins. He spends 12 and then earns 8 more. He has 34 coins now.
True False
40 - 12 = 28 coins after spending, then 28 + 8 = 36, not 34.
3. There are 8 bags of 5 oranges. After eating 10 oranges, 30 oranges are left.
True False
8 × 5 = 40 oranges total, then 40 - 10 = 30 left. The statement checks out.