Winter Holiday Math & Reading — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Sam ate 14 of a cookie and then 24 more. He ate 38 of a cookie because 14 + 24 = 38.
Corrected: Sam ate 14 of a cookie and then 24 more. He ate 34 of a cookie because 14 + 24 = 34.
When adding like fractions, only add the numerators: 1 + 2 = 3. The denominator stays 4, giving 34, not 38.
2. Fix the sentence:
A snowflake fell 0.5 meters and then 0.3 meters more. It fell 0.08 meters total because 0.5 + 0.3 = 0.08.
Corrected: A snowflake fell 0.5 meters and then 0.3 meters more. It fell 0.8 meters total because 0.5 + 0.3 = 0.8.
Line up decimal points when adding: 0.5 + 0.3 = 0.8, not 0.08. The tenths place holds 8, not a hundredths value.
3. Fix the sentence:
A scarf is 36 inches long. That equals 4 feet because 36 ÷ 12 = 4.
Corrected: A scarf is 36 inches long. That equals 3 feet because 36 ÷ 12 = 3.
There are 12 inches in every foot, so 36 ÷ 12 = 3 feet. Check by multiplying back: 3 × 12 = 36.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Lila drank 25 of a cup of cocoa and then 15 more. She drank 35 of a cup.
Add like fractions by adding only the numerators: 25 + 15 = 35. The denominator stays the same.
2. Snow fell 0.4 inches in the morning and 0.5 inches in the afternoon. Total snow: 0.9 inches.
0.4 + 0.5 = 0.9. Line up the decimal points: 4 tenths plus 5 tenths equals 9 tenths.
3. A gift box is 24 inches long. That equals 2 feet.
There are 12 inches in 1 foot, so 24 ÷ 12 = 2 feet.
4. A gingerbread cookie costs 3 quarters. That equals $0.75.
One quarter is $0.25, so 3 × $0.25 = $0.75. Three quarters make three-fourths of a dollar.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Maya had 34 of a candy cane. She gave 14 of a candy cane to her brother. How much does she have left? Show your work.
Sample answer: Step 1: 34 − 14 = 24 of a candy cane. Step 2: 24 simplifies to 12 of a candy cane.
Subtract like fractions by subtracting the numerators: 34 - 14 = 24. Then simplify 24 by dividing both parts by 2 to get 12.
2. Read: "The quiet snow covered the town in a soft blanket." What is the main idea of this sentence?
Sample answer: The main idea is that snow gently covered the whole town. The writer uses "soft blanket" to help the reader picture how the snow looked on everything.
The main idea is the most important point the writer makes. The 'soft blanket' comparison shows how the snow covered every surface evenly.