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Grade 1 Subtraction Stories Worksheets

One-step stories where some of an amount is taken away.

Every sheet below is generated fresh with a matching answer key. Pick one of the three levels, preview it, and print or download the PDF — no account, no watermark. For the other grade 1 word problems skills, see all word problems worksheets.

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Word Problems · Grade 1

Grade
Topic
SkillEach skill is a different kind of question, with its own levels.
Level
Questions
6

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Grade 1 · 3 pages · A4

Word Problems Practice

Grade 1 • Subtraction Stories • Borrowing across a ten
Name:Date:

Read each problem. Show your work, then write the answer.

  1. 1) A jar held 14 coins. Ben took out 5 coins. How many coins are left?
    Answer:
  1. 2) Kiran had 16 crayons and gave 8 crayons to Rania. How many crayons are left?
    Answer:
  1. 3) Amira had 14 coins but lost 6 coins on the way home. How many coins are left?
    Answer:
  1. 4) Farah had 12 pencils and gave 9 pencils to Chen. How many pencils are left?
    Answer:
  1. 5) Farah had 11 blocks but lost 8 blocks on the way home. How many blocks are left?
    Answer:
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Page 1 of 3

Read each problem. Show your work, then write the answer. (continued)

  1. 6) Lena had 15 coins but lost 9 coins on the way home. How many coins are left?
    Answer:
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Page 2 of 3

Answer Key

  1. 1. 9 coins
  2. 2. 8 crayons
  3. 3. 8 coins
  4. 4. 3 pencils
  1. 5. 3 blocks
  2. 6. 6 coins
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Page 3 of 3

What each level generates

Grade 1 subtraction stories — the exact skill behind each difficulty setting, straight from the generator.

  1. Level 1Take away, no borrowing
  2. Level 2Borrowing across a ten
  3. Level 3The starting amount is missing

Grade levels follow the progression common to most English-language curricula — not one specific national curriculum. Every level shows exactly what it generates, so you can check the fit with your own program. See the full scope & sequence →

More Grade 1 word problems skills

Each one generates a different kind of question, with its own three levels and answer key.

Frequently asked questions

▸What kind of word problems can a 6-year-old solve?

One-step addition and subtraction stories with numbers up to 20 — join, take away, and simple "how many more" comparisons — plus stories that add three amounts to a total of 20 or less. Every sub-skill and every difficulty on this page generates exactly those; two-step and multi-step stories start at Grade 2.

▸How many word problems should a Grade 1 worksheet have?

6–8 is plenty, because each problem involves reading as well as arithmetic. Use the question-count stepper to keep sheets short and finish with energy to spare.

▸My child can add but not solve word problems — is that normal?

Very. Word problems add a decoding step on top of the arithmetic. Read the story aloud, ask "what is it asking?", and have them underline the question — the gap usually closes within a few weeks of short practice.

▸Is there an answer key?

Yes — tick the answer key box and it prints on its own separate page, so you can keep it aside while your child works through the stories.

▸Do I need an account to print these?

No. The generator is completely free with no sign-up. Everything runs in your browser, and the link itself stores your exact worksheet.