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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 115 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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.

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  1. 1.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.
  2. 2.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  3. 3.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  4. 4.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  10. 10.Read the story. How is the problem 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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  11. 11.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  13. 13.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  14. 14.Read the story. How is the problem 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 sings loudly without a microphone (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  15. 15.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  16. 16.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. Vihaan stayed calm and went to a lady in uniform. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him.
    (a) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  19. 19.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  20. 20.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. Tenzin followed its hoofprints down the muddy path. He found it by a stream and gently led it back. His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea.
    (a) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (b) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village.
  21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. Tara asked Mr Nair, the gardener, what was wrong. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced.
    (a) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  25. 25.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. Sahil stayed calm and pressed the red alarm button. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. Soon the doors opened, and Sahil stepped out safely.
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) Everyone sings along with her
  26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. Tenzin followed its hoofprints down the muddy path. He found it by a stream and gently led it back. His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea.
    (a) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem 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 park swing has cracked (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  30. 30.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. Zoya looked carefully under every chair and table. The earring was shining beside the flower stand. Zoya gave it back, and Aunt Lata thanked her warmly.
    (a) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  31. 31.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya.
    (a) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (b) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. Simran put on gloves and lifted it very gently. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. Simran smiled as the mother sparrow flew home.
    (a) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. Tanmay could not reach it with his arm or a stick. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe.
    (a) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard.
  37. 37.Read the story. How is the problem 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 cannot find his reading glasses (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  38. 38.Read the story. How is the problem 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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. Her train was three hours late. Fatima opened her bag and found a book of puzzles. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend.
    (a) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (b) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) Her train was three hours late.
  40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Blue paint spills over a poster

Answer key

  1. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  2. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  3. It is built higher up with a moat
  4. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  5. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  6. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  7. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  8. A board held up blocks the wind
  9. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  10. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  11. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  12. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  13. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  14. Everyone sings along with her
  15. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  16. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  17. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  18. The window is opened to let it out
  19. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  20. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  21. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  22. The shoes are swapped back
  23. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  24. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  25. The alarm button brings help
  26. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  27. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  28. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  29. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  30. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  31. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  32. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  34. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  35. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  36. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  37. The glasses are found on top of his head
  38. The torn page is mended with tape
  39. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  40. The blue splash is turned into a lake

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