Halloween Math & Reading — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A vampire collected 7 bags with 9 candies each. He has 65 candies because 7 × 9 = 65.
Corrected: A vampire collected 7 bags with 9 candies each. He has 63 candies because 7 × 9 = 63.
7 × 9 = 63, not 65. Check with (7 × 10) - 7 = 70 - 7 = 63.
2. Fix the sentence:
A ghost divided 108 candy corns equally among 9 bowls. Each bowl has 11 pieces because 108 ÷ 9 = 11.
Corrected: A ghost divided 108 candy corns equally among 9 bowls. Each bowl has 12 pieces because 108 ÷ 9 = 12.
108 ÷ 9 = 12, not 11. Verify by multiplying: 9 × 12 = 108.
3. Fix the sentence:
Carlos bought 4 masks at $18 each and a cape for $28. He spent $96 because 4 × 18 = 72 and 72 + 28 = 96.
Corrected: Carlos bought 4 masks at $18 each and a cape for $28. He spent $100 because 4 × 18 = 72 and 72 + 28 = 100.
The multiplication 4 × 18 = 72 is correct, but the sum 72 + 28 = 100 (not 96). The ones 2 + 8 = 10 means you carry the 1.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Six witches each cast 12 spells. They cast 72 spells in all.
6 × 12 = 72. Split as (6 × 10) + (6 × 2) = 60 + 12 = 72.
2. A candy factory packs 144 chocolates into boxes of 12. It fills 12 boxes.
144 ÷ 12 = 12. Check: 12 × 12 = 144, which is a square number worth memorizing.
3. Eight friends each spend $15 on costumes. Together they spend $120.
8 × $15 = $120. Split as (8 × 10) + (8 × 5) = 80 + 40 = 120.
4. A pumpkin patch has 132 pumpkins in 6 equal rows. Each row has 22 pumpkins.
132 ÷ 6 = 22. Check: 6 × 22 = 132, which you can see as (6 × 20) + (6 × 2) = 120 + 12.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. A haunted house has 5 rooms with 18 decorations each. After removing 24 broken ones, how many remain? Show your steps.
Sample answer: Step 1: 5 × 18 = 90 decorations total. Step 2: 90 − 24 = 66 decorations remain.
Find the total first using multiplication (5 × 18 = 90), then subtract the broken decorations (90 - 24 = 66) to find what is left.
2. The passage says "The wind howled through the graveyard." Is this personification or a simile? Explain why.
Sample answer: It is personification because the wind is given the human action of howling. A simile would use "like" or "as" to compare.
Personification gives human actions to things that are not human, like wind 'howling'. Since there is no 'like' or 'as', it cannot be a simile.