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:
The temperature dropped from 28°F to 15°F, a change of 23 degrees.
Corrected: The temperature dropped from 28°F to 15°F, a change of 13 degrees.
Subtracting to find the change: 28 − 15 = 13 degrees, not 23. The original sentence reports the wrong difference between the two temperatures.
2. Fix the sentence:
A car travels 55 miles per hour for 3 hours and covers 155 miles.
Corrected: A car travels 55 miles per hour for 3 hours and covers 165 miles.
Distance equals rate times time, so 55 × 3 = 165 miles. The original sentence shows 155, which would only be correct if the speed or time were different.
3. Fix the sentence:
Water freezes at 32°C, so snow can only fall below that temperature.
Corrected: Water freezes at 32°F (0°C), so snow can only fall below that temperature.
Water freezes at 32°F, which is 0°C — the original sentence mixed up the Fahrenheit number with the Celsius unit. Snow forms when temperatures drop to or below this freezing point.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The morning temperature was 12°F and it rose 19 degrees by noon. The noon temperature was 31°F.
Adding the rise to the morning temperature gives the noon reading: 12 + 19 = 31°F. Rising temperatures mean you add the change rather than subtract it.
2. A family drives 240 miles to visit relatives. If they drive 60 miles per hour, the trip takes 4 hours.
Time equals distance divided by speed, so 240 ÷ 60 = 4 hours. Driving 60 miles each hour means it takes 4 hours to cover 240 miles.
3. A train ticket costs $18.50 per person. Two adult tickets cost $37.00.
Two tickets at $18.50 each cost 18.50 × 2 = $37.00. Multiplying the per-person price by the number of people gives the total cost.
4. The instrument used to measure temperature is called a thermometer.
A thermometer is the tool designed to measure temperature, using a scale marked in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. Other instruments measure things like wind or rainfall, but only a thermometer reads temperature.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. The high temperature on Monday was 35°F and the low was 18°F. On Tuesday the high was 29°F and the low was 10°F. Which day had a greater temperature range? Show your work.
Sample answer: Monday's range: 35 − 18 = 17 degrees. Tuesday's range: 29 − 10 = 19 degrees. Tuesday had a greater temperature range.
Range is the highest value minus the lowest value. Monday's range is 35 − 18 = 17 degrees and Tuesday's is 29 − 10 = 19 degrees, so Tuesday's 19-degree spread is greater than Monday's 17-degree spread.
2. A family drives 180 miles to a ski resort. They stop halfway for lunch. How far is each half of the trip? If the second half takes 2 hours, what is their average speed?
Sample answer: Each half is 180 ÷ 2 = 90 miles. Average speed for the second half: 90 ÷ 2 = 45 miles per hour.
Halfway means dividing the trip into two equal parts: 180 ÷ 2 = 90 miles each. Average speed is distance ÷ time, so 90 miles in 2 hours gives 90 ÷ 2 = 45 miles per hour.