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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 121 · 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?
    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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  2. 2.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  3. 3.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  4. 4.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  5. 5.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 lights go out and her little brother cries (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The alarm button brings help
  8. 8.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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  9. 9.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  12. 12.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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
  13. 13.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 puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
  15. 15.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  18. 18.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school.
  19. 19.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  20. 20.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  21. 21.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  23. 23.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. 25.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Homework is left at home (c) The box is found under the last seat
  26. 26.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  27. 27.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  28. 28.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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (b) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  31. 31.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
  32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem 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 box is found under the last seat (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem 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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  34. 34.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.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  36. 36.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The window is opened to let it out
  39. 39.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster

Answer key

  1. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  2. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  3. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  4. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  5. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  6. A board held up blocks the wind
  7. The alarm button brings help
  8. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  9. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  10. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  11. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  12. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  13. The torn page is mended with tape
  14. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  15. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  16. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  17. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  18. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  19. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  20. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  21. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  22. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  23. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  24. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  25. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  26. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  27. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  28. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  29. The shoes are swapped back
  30. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  31. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  32. The box is found under the last seat
  33. The shoes are swapped back
  34. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  35. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  36. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  37. They put on the spare tyre together
  38. The box is found under the last seat
  39. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  40. The blue splash is turned into a lake

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