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Maths Quiz - Year 2 Calculation - Subtraction Language (Questions)

Learn the clue words for subtraction. Spot “left,” “gave away,” and “spent,” then choose − to work out how many remain.

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Fascinating Fact:

Word clues in problems “Left,” “gave away,” “spent” often mean minus. “How many left?” subtract.

In KS1 Maths, pupils read simple stories to decide which operation to use. Words like left, gave away, and spent point to subtraction, so we use − and count back.

Key Terms

  • Subtract/Minus (−): Take away from a number to find how many remain.
  • Difference: How much more or less one amount is than another (e.g., 14 − 6 = 8).
  • Count Back: A mental method: jump backwards on a number line to subtract.

Warm up first: try the Subtraction Game before starting the quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What words mean subtraction in KS1 word problems?

Common subtraction clues include left, take away, gave away, spent, fewer, and how many are left. These suggest using the − operation.

How do I know if a question needs add or subtract?

If the story talks about removing or losing items, choose subtraction. If it combines or puts together amounts, choose addition.

What does “find the difference” mean?

It means work out how far apart two amounts are by subtracting the smaller from the larger, for example 12 − 7 = 5.

Try These Related Quizzes

1. Which word could be used in this number sentence?
12 ___ 5 = 7
[ ] add
[ ] subtract
[ ] plus
[ ] total
2. Which word could be used in this number sentence?
15 ___ 9 = 6
[ ] plus
[ ] divided by
[ ] add
[ ] minus
3. I have 15 cakes and eat 6. How many are left?
[ ] 6
[ ] 9
[ ] 8
[ ] 4
4. How much is 6 less than 18?
[ ] 12
[ ] 8
[ ] 9
[ ] 15
5. What is the difference between 12 and 5?
[ ] One is odd, one is even
[ ] 7
[ ] One is 2-digit, the other isn't
[ ] 17
6. What is 16 take away 6?
[ ] 16
[ ] 6
[ ] 26
[ ] 10
7. What is the symbol for subtraction?
[ ] -
[ ] x
[ ] +
[ ] =
8. 8 is the difference between which 2 numbers?
[ ] 2 and 4
[ ] 12 and 20
[ ] 6 and 10
[ ] 12 and 14
9. 17 minus which number = 5?
[ ] 7
[ ] 12
[ ] 5
[ ] 9
10. Which of the following is not a subtraction word?
[ ] Take away
[ ] Subtract
[ ] Multiply
[ ] Minus

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Adding and subtracting

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Maths Quiz - Year 2 Calculation - Subtraction Language (Answers)
1. Which word could be used in this number sentence?
12 ___ 5 = 7
[ ] add
[x] subtract
[ ] plus
[ ] total
Subtract means to take away
2. Which word could be used in this number sentence?
15 ___ 9 = 6
[ ] plus
[ ] divided by
[ ] add
[x] minus
Minus means to subtract
3. I have 15 cakes and eat 6. How many are left?
[ ] 6
[x] 9
[ ] 8
[ ] 4
'How many left' is a clue that this is a subtraction
4. How much is 6 less than 18?
[x] 12
[ ] 8
[ ] 9
[ ] 15
'Less than' is a subtraction word - you could also count backwards
5. What is the difference between 12 and 5?
[ ] One is odd, one is even
[x] 7
[ ] One is 2-digit, the other isn't
[ ] 17
The 1st and 3rd options are differences but in maths 'difference' means subtract. To find the difference, subtract the smaller number from the larger one
6. What is 16 take away 6?
[ ] 16
[ ] 6
[ ] 26
[x] 10
'Take away' is another way of saying subtract
7. What is the symbol for subtraction?
[x] -
[ ] x
[ ] +
[ ] =
This sign means to subtract or take away
8. 8 is the difference between which 2 numbers?
[ ] 2 and 4
[x] 12 and 20
[ ] 6 and 10
[ ] 12 and 14
To find the difference, subtract the smaller number from the larger one
9. 17 minus which number = 5?
[ ] 7
[x] 12
[ ] 5
[ ] 9
Minus means to take away. 17 - 12 = 5
10. Which of the following is not a subtraction word?
[ ] Take away
[ ] Subtract
[x] Multiply
[ ] Minus
Multiply does not mean subtract
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