Grade 2 · Math · Operations

2nd Grade One-Step Word Problems worksheets

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One-Step Word Problems

Grade 2 Math Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Solve each word problem.

Lila had 24 pencils. Then Lila bought some more. Now Lila has 61 pencils. How many pencils did Lila buy?
Ana read 60 pages. Noah read 38 pages. How many more pages did Ana read than Noah?
A shelf had 66 magazines. Some were borrowed. Now there are 37 magazines on the shelf. How many magazines were borrowed?
There are 38 pears in a basket and 24 pears on the table. How many pears are there altogether?
Ava baked 50 cupcakes. The class ate 23 of them. How many cupcakes are left?
Ana had some coins. Then Ana found 37 more coins. Now Ana has 63 coins. How many coins did Ana have at first?
Ben has 29 shells. A friend gives Ben 16 more. How many shells does Ben have now?

2nd Grade One-Step Word Problems worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

A one-step word problem asks a child to read a short story, decide what is happening, and do one addition or subtraction. The hard part is not the arithmetic but the reading: some stories add, some take away, some ask how many more, and in some the missing number is the start or the change, not the end. This worksheet gives seven different problems, each with space under it for working.

Ask your child to read the story twice, say in their own words what is happening, and draw a quick picture or number line if it helps. Then write the number sentence and the answer. Check that the answer makes sense in the story: a bus cannot have more children after some get off.

What your child will learn

Decide whether a story adds or subtracts
Solve problems with the result, the change or the start missing
Check that an answer makes sense in the story

Common Core standard: 2.OA.A.1

Worked example

A class has 34 markers and gives away 12. Subtract 34 - 12 to find 22 markers left.

Common mistake

Adding both numbers in the story, even when the story asks how many are left or how many more.

Helpful hint

Decide what happened in the story before calculating.

Next skill: Math Facts Fluency Earlier: Two-Digit Subtraction

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with one-step word problems?

Adding both numbers in the story, even when the story asks how many are left or how many more.

How can I help my child with one-step word problems?

Decide what happened in the story before calculating.

Are these 2nd grade math worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 2nd grade operations

See all operations

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