Two-Step Word Problems
Every story needs two operations: had some, bought more, gave some away; or bought packs of a fixed size and used some. The key writes the whole number sentence (14 + 9 − 6 = 17) so the intermediate step can be checked, which is where most errors sit. Numbers to 100 by default, 20 at easy, 1,000 at hard.
Ready-made PDFs
One-click downloads, answer key included, a different puzzle in each.
FAQ
Which step do students skip?
The second one, usually. They answer the first question the story raises and stop. Reading the actual question (how many now, how many are left) before starting is the fix, and the answer line is placed after the work space to make room for it.
What does the answer key show?
The number sentence for each problem (12 + 5 = 17) and the answer with its unit, in green. The number sentence is the part worth checking: a student who wrote 5 + 12 has understood the problem, one who wrote 12 − 5 has not.
Why are the names repeated instead of using he or she?
The problems name the child again instead of guessing a pronoun. Names come from a mixed pool of about forty, so a class will see itself in the pages more often than in a textbook.
Can I get different versions for each student?
Turn on the 5 versions switch before downloading. You get five different sheets in one PDF, each with its own answer key, so neighbouring desks cannot copy.
Where do the problems come from?
They are built from templates with pools of names, objects and situations, and the numbers are drawn fresh each time, so the same page never repeats. The wording is deliberately plain: the math should be the hard part, not the reading.
Is there room to show the work?
Yes. Six or eight problems per page leave a blank block under each one for the drawing, the number sentence and the answer line; ten per page is a review layout with less space.
Can students work these on a tablet?
Yes. Practice online puts a pen tool over the same sheet, so the working can be written with a stylus or finger and wiped for another try.
How do I print this word problems worksheet?
Click Download PDF and print at 100% scale. The page is already sized for US Letter with printer-safe margins, so no fit-to-page fiddling is needed.