K5Print Free printable worksheets for K–5

10 printable sets · answer key on every set

Two-Step Word Problems Worksheets

  • CCSS 2.OA.A.1
  • 12 problems per set
  • Answer key included

What this skill is

Stories that need two steps, such as taking some away and then adding some more.

When it comes up: Second grade, after one-step word problems and adding and subtracting within 100.

The mistake to watch for

Doing only the first step and stopping. Each sentence in the story is usually a step.

How to help

Write the story's two steps as two small number sentences, one under the other, before looking for the final answer.

Next: Multiplication and division word problems in third grade.

A worked example

Sam had 35 stickers. Sam gave 12 to a friend, then found 8 more. Step 1: 35 − 12 = 23. Step 2: 23 + 8 = 31. Sam has 31 stickers.

Words to know

add
To put numbers together to find how many in all.
subtract
To take one number away from another to find how many are left.
step
One part of solving a problem. A two-step problem needs two calculations.
total
All of the things added together.
difference
The answer you get when you subtract.

Practice

Read the story. Write the answer.

Showing Set 1 · 12 problems

  1. Ella has 23 apples. Ella gets 17 more, then loses 9. How many apples does Ella have now?
  2. Ella had 55 balloons. Ella gave 7 balloons to a friend, then found 21 more. How many balloons does Ella have now?
  3. Eli had 58 crayons. Eli gave 12 crayons to a friend, then found 13 more. How many crayons does Eli have now?
  4. Ruby has 32 books. Ruby gets 10 more, then loses 25. How many books does Ruby have now?
  5. Leo has 34 apples. Leo gets 12 more, then loses 18. How many apples does Leo have now?
  6. Leo had 25 books. Leo gave 18 books to a friend, then found 24 more. How many books does Leo have now?
  7. Owen has 39 crayons. Owen gets 6 more, then loses 7. How many crayons does Owen have now?
  8. Leo has 54 cookies. Leo gets 16 more, then loses 15. How many cookies does Leo have now?
  9. Max has 32 pencils. Max gets 9 more, then loses 12. How many pencils does Max have now?
  10. Mia has 35 cookies. Mia gets 18 more, then loses 10. How many cookies does Mia have now?
  11. Nora had 37 shells. Nora gave 16 shells to a friend, then found 11 more. How many shells does Nora have now?
  12. Ava had 56 cards. Ava gave 9 cards to a friend, then found 5 more. How many cards does Ava have now?

Download this set12 problems · answer key included PDF

Answer key
  1. 31
  2. 69
  3. 59
  4. 17
  5. 28
  6. 31
  7. 38
  8. 55
  9. 29
  10. 43
  11. 32
  12. 52

All 10 sets

Each set is a different list of 12 problems with its own answer key. Use the buttons above to look at one on this page, or download any of them as a PDF.

How these sheets were made
  • Problems are generated for each set and checked against 2.OA.A.1 before the sheet is built — no duplicates, and every problem falls inside the standard's number range.

Common Core State Standards © 2010 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.