Needs vs Wants — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Ben has $4. Milk costs $3 and a balloon costs $2. He needs to drink. What is best?
A) Buy milk because drink is a need
B) Buy a balloon for fun
C) Save money for later only
D) Buy two balloons today
Milk is a drink and a need, so it should be bought before fun toys.
2. Mia has $7. A hat costs $6 in winter and a sticker is $2. What is smart?
A) Buy stickers and skip the hat
B) Buy a hat because warmth is a need
C) Buy nothing all day long
D) Buy three sticker packs
Hats keep heads warm in winter, making them a need for safety.
3. Pop has $8. Soap costs $5 and a comic costs $4. The family is out of soap. Best choice?
A) Buy a comic for fun
B) Buy nothing this week
C) Buy soap because clean hands are a need
D) Save for two comics next time
Soap helps keep us clean and free of germs, so it is a true need.
4. Liz has $9. Apples cost $3, bread is $4, candy is $5. Her family needs food. What is wise?
A) Buy candy only and skip food
B) Save money and eat nothing
C) Buy candy and bread together
D) Buy apples and bread because food is a need
Apples and bread are real food, which is a need for every family.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Pay for needs before buying any wants.
Smart families always cover needs first so everyone stays safe and healthy.
2. A warm coat is a need in cold winter weather.
Coats keep our bodies warm in winter, making them an important need.
3. A sweet candy treat is a want, not a need.
Candy is a want because our bodies stay healthy without any sweet treats.
4. We need clean water to drink each day.
Water keeps our bodies working, making it the most important basic need.
5. A new game is fun but is just a want.
Games are wants because we can be happy and healthy without playing them.