Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 116 · 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.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.
2. 2.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) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (b) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
3. 3.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
4. 4.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
5. 5.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
6. 6.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.
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A board held up blocks the wind
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
9. 9.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) The alarm button brings help
10. 10.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A boat starts to leak
11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. Pooja drew posters and stuck them on every gate. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
12. 12.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
13. 13.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 lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard.
14. 14.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
15. 15.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
16. 16.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
17. 17.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
18. 18.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) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
20. 20.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. Aditi did not give up and started all over again. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street. (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. Diya held out a biscuit and spoke softly to it. The puppy crept out and licked her hand. Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed. (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A board held up blocks the wind
22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. The old well had dried up, and people had no water. Lakshmi asked everyone to dig a pond to catch the rain. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim. (a) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
25. 25.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! Neel did not panic and looked at the names inside. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. Neel ran in the right shoes and came second. (a) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (b) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. He found that he had left his homework at home. Aryan told Ms Gill the truth before she even asked. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. Aryan made a checklist so he would never forget again. (a) Homework is left at home (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
27. 27.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
29. 29.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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The alarm button brings help
31. 31.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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway.
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. The old well had dried up, and people had no water. Lakshmi asked everyone to dig a pond to catch the rain. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim. (a) The village well has dried up (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The window is opened to let it out
35. 35.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 long snake was curled up near the door. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
37. 37.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
38. 38.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.
39. 39.Read the story. How is the problem 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 bird falls out of its nest (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner

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