Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 114 · 40 questions

Writer's tip (Problem → solution): First find the problem. Then find the part where the problem is fixed — usually the sentence just before the ending. The solution must fix THIS problem; a fix for something else does not count.

1. 1.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
2. 2.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
   One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks. (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
3. 3.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
   On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. Then Isha saw another girl sitting alone too. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. By evening, Isha and Maria were best friends. (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
4. 4.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. Rohan sat down and studied the chain slowly. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. Rohan rode on, proud that he could fix a chain now. (a) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (b) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (c) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. Ishaan asked the other children to help him mend it. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. By noon, Ishaan was swinging high on the new seat. (a) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (b) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. Omkar spoke softly and put a saucer of milk nearby. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. Omkar named her Pixie and gave her a cosy box. (a) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. Meera and her friend Tenzin searched seat by seat. The red box was hiding under the very last seat. Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you. (a) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
12. 12.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. Sneha found a torch and made shadow animals on the wall. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. Sneha told stories until the lights came back on. (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The box is found under the last seat
15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. Maria thought hard and moved further up the sand. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. This time Maria’s castle stood tall until sunset. (a) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. A long snake was curled up near the door. Imran stepped back slowly and did not touch it. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. Imran learnt that snakes should be left to experts. (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
18. 18.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. Yash held the torch while Uncle Ravi took out the spare. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on. (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
19. 19.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. Kabir tried to reach it, but his arms were too short. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game. (a) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
20. 20.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. Kiara made a bright sign that said “Fresh Cookies!” Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. Soon Kiara had sold every cookie for the library fund. (a) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. Advik opened the window wide and stepped back. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky. (a) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
22. 22.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. Saanvi looked under the sofa and behind every cushion. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! Grandpa chuckled and gave Saanvi a big hug. (a) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. She was too shy to sing in front of the others. Meher closed her eyes and pictured singing at home. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. Meher sang the whole song and felt brave. (a) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
24. 24.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. Aarav jumped and jumped, but he could not reach it. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. Aarav thanked Kiran, and the kite flew high again. (a) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The box is found under the last seat
25. 25.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. Ananya stayed calm and checked every jar again. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. (a) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
28. 28.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! Riya laughed and asked politely if it could be fixed. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
31. 31.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. Nisha recalled the rhyme Mrs Sen had taught her. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. Nisha won the silver cup and thanked Mrs Sen. (a) A hard word makes her mind go blank (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. Priya hid behind a bush and saw a monkey, Bholu, take one. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. Priya and Nani laughed at the clever plan. (a) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. Ayaan ran home and told Maa what had happened. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang. (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
34. 34.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! Riya laughed and asked politely if it could be fixed. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (a) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. Dev was scared, but he told the librarian the truth. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. Dev mended the page neatly and felt proud of himself. (a) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
36. 36.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. Anjali pressed her rubber slipper hard over the crack. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief. (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A boat starts to leak
37. 37.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. Aisha wrote a note and took it to the principal. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters. (a) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. Rahul was upset, but his friend Simran had an idea. They turned the big blue splash into a lake. Rahul’s poster with the lake won first prize. (a) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. Kabir tried to reach it, but his arms were too short. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game. (a) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.

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