Grade 2 · Math · Operations

2nd Grade One-Step Word Problems worksheets

6 printable versionsBuilding ConfidenceAbout 7 minutes eachFree · no account

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One-Step Word Problems

Grade 2 Math Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Solve each word problem.

There were some birds in a tree. 40 birds flew away. Now there are 27 birds in the tree. How many birds were in the tree at first?
A shelf had 61 books. Some were borrowed. Now there are 42 books on the shelf. How many books were borrowed?
Ava read 60 pages. Omar read 45 pages. How many more pages did Ava read than Omar?
Lila had some cards. Then Lila found 39 more cards. Now Lila has 88 cards. How many cards did Lila have at first?
A bus had 67 children on it. 25 children got off at the school. How many children are on the bus now?
Mia had 28 pencils. Then Mia bought some more. Now Mia has 62 pencils. How many pencils did Mia buy?
Leo baked 56 pies. The class ate 17 of them. How many pies are left?

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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