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 bakery makes 4 trays of 8 cupcakes. After selling 11 cupcakes, 43 are left.
Corrected: A bakery makes 4 trays of 8 cupcakes. After selling 11 cupcakes, 21 are left.
Multiply first: 4 × 8 = 32 cupcakes. Then subtract 11 sold: 32 - 11 = 21, not 43.
2. Fix the sentence:
Jada has 30 beads and buys 20 more. She makes 5 bracelets with 8 beads each.
Corrected: Jada has 30 beads and buys 20 more. She makes 5 bracelets with 10 beads each.
Add first: 30 + 20 = 50 beads. Then divide: 50 ÷ 5 = 10 beads per bracelet, not 8.
3. Fix the sentence:
A store has 7 shelves with 6 toys each. They add 5 toys. Now they have 37 toys.
Corrected: A store has 7 shelves with 6 toys each. They add 5 toys. Now they have 47 toys.
Multiply first: 7 × 6 = 42 toys. Then add 5 more: 42 + 5 = 47, not 37.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A teacher has 60 sheets of paper. She gives 15 to one group and 20 to another. She has 25 sheets left.
Add given away: 15 + 20 = 35 sheets. Then 60 - 35 = 25 sheets left.
2. There are 5 bags of 7 apples. After eating 12 apples, there are 23 apples left.
Multiply first: 5 × 7 = 35 apples. Then subtract 12 eaten: 35 - 12 = 23 apples left.
3. Max earns $6 each day for 4 days. He spends $9 on a book. He has $15 left.
Multiply: 4 × $6 = $24 earned. Then subtract $9 spent: $24 - $9 = $15 left.
4. A pool has 36 swimmers. Then 14 leave and 8 new swimmers arrive. There are 30 swimmers now.
Subtract leavers: 36 - 14 = 22. Then add arrivals: 22 + 8 = 30 swimmers.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. A farmer picks 6 baskets of 5 apples and buys 8 more. He has 38 apples in all.
True False
6 × 5 = 30 apples picked, then 30 + 8 = 38 total. The statement is correct.
2. Lily has 55 pages to read. She reads 20 on Monday and 15 on Tuesday. She has 25 pages left.
True False
Add pages read: 20 + 15 = 35. Then 55 - 35 = 20 pages left, not 25.
3. A toy box has 3 layers of 10 blocks. After removing 6 blocks, 24 blocks remain.
True False
3 × 10 = 30 blocks, then 30 - 6 = 24 blocks remain. The statement is correct.