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Write a Story for the Number Sentence is a free printable Grade 1 math worksheet on making up a story that a given number sentence solves, within 20, aligned to Common Core standard 1.OA.A.1. It prints 4 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

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All 25 sets ask different questions.

Write a Story for the Number Sentence

1.OA.A.1

NameDate

Write a short story for each number sentence.

1.Write a short story that matches 7 + 4 = ___. Then answer your own question.
  • uses the numbers 7 and 4
  • the question is answered by adding
  • the answer is 11
2.Write a short story that matches 10 − 3 = ___. Then answer your own question.
  • uses the numbers 10 and 3
  • the question is answered by taking away
  • the answer is 7
3.Write a short story that matches 19 − 18 = ___. Then answer your own question.
  • uses the numbers 19 and 18
  • the question is answered by taking away
  • the answer is 1
4.Write a short story that matches 15 − 8 = ___. Then answer your own question.
  • uses the numbers 15 and 8
  • the question is answered by taking away
  • the answer is 7

LessonPrint · 1.OA.A.1 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Write a Story for the Number Sentence

Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.A story that uses the numbers 7 and 4; the question is answered by adding; the answer is 11.
  2. 2.A story that uses the numbers 10 and 3; the question is answered by taking away; the answer is 7.
  3. 3.A story that uses the numbers 19 and 18; the question is answered by taking away; the answer is 1.
  4. 4.A story that uses the numbers 15 and 8; the question is answered by taking away; the answer is 7.

Questions about Write a Story for the Number Sentence

What does the Write a Story for the Number Sentence worksheet cover?

It practices making up a story that a given number sentence solves, within 20 — 4 questions for Grade 1, all on Common Core 1.OA.A.1: Solve story problems with adding and subtracting up to 20. The instruction to students is “Write a short story for each number sentence”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.

Which Common Core standard does Write a Story for the Number Sentence practice?

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.A.1 — 1.OA.A.1, under Operations & Algebraic Thinking for Grade 1. The published standard reads: “Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.

What age or grade is this worksheet for?

Write a Story for the Number Sentence is written for Grade 1, typically ages 6-7. It is one of the sheets on 1.OA.A.1, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.

Does Write a Story for the Number Sentence come with an answer key?

Yes. All 4 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.

How many different versions of Write a Story for the Number Sentence can I print?

25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.

Is Write a Story for the Number Sentence free to print and photocopy?

Yes. Write a Story for the Number Sentence, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.

More practice for 1.OA.A.1

Solve story problems with adding and subtracting up to 20.

All Grade 1 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to 1.OA.A.1 of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.