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 mummy wrapped 9 tombs with 6 bandages each. He used 52 bandages because 9 × 6 = 52.
Corrected: A mummy wrapped 9 tombs with 6 bandages each. He used 54 bandages because 9 × 6 = 54.
9 × 6 = 54, not 52. You can check with (10 × 6) - 6 = 60 - 6 = 54.
2. Fix the sentence:
A werewolf split 96 bones equally into 8 piles. Each pile has 11 bones because 96 ÷ 8 = 11.
Corrected: A werewolf split 96 bones equally into 8 piles. Each pile has 12 bones because 96 ÷ 8 = 12.
96 ÷ 8 = 12, not 11. Check: 8 × 12 = 96.
3. Fix the sentence:
Ella bought 5 jack-o-lanterns at $14 each and a bag of candy corn for $12. She spent $80 because 5 × 14 = 70 and 70 + 12 = 80.
Corrected: Ella bought 5 jack-o-lanterns at $14 each and a bag of candy corn for $12. She spent $82 because 5 × 14 = 70 and 70 + 12 = 82.
5 × 14 = 70 is correct, but 70 + 12 = 82, not 80. Adding the ones place: 0 + 2 = 2, and 7 + 1 = 8.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A zombie collects 7 bags with 11 candies each. He has 77 candies in all.
7 × 11 = 77. Think (7 × 10) + 7 = 70 + 7 = 77.
2. A bat colony shares 108 insects equally among 9 bats. Each bat eats 12 insects.
108 ÷ 9 = 12. Verify: 9 × 12 = 108.
3. Four haunted hayrides cost $16 each. The total cost is $64.
4 × $16 = $64. Break into (4 × 10) + (4 × 6) = 40 + 24 = 64.
4. A witch lines up 84 potion bottles in 7 equal rows. Each row has 12 bottles.
84 ÷ 7 = 12. Split 84 into 70 + 14: 70 ÷ 7 = 10 and 14 ÷ 7 = 2, giving 10 + 2 = 12.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. A goblin collected 6 baskets with 15 treats each and ate 17 of them. How many treats are left? Show your steps.
Sample answer: Step 1: 6 × 15 = 90 treats total. Step 2: 90 − 17 = 73 treats left.
Multiply first to find the full collection (6 × 15 = 90), then subtract what was eaten (90 - 17 = 73) to find what remains.
2. The story says "The jack-o-lantern grinned at the trick-or-treaters." What type of figurative language is this? Explain why.
Sample answer: It is personification because a jack-o-lantern cannot actually grin. The author gives the pumpkin a human action to make the scene feel alive.
Pumpkins cannot really smile or grin — that is a human action. Giving human behaviors to non-human things is the definition of personification.