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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 139 · 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 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) Her train was three hours late. (b) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
  2. 2.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The shoes are swapped back
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  5. 5.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
  6. 6.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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  7. 7.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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  8. 8.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  9. 9.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  10. 10.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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  12. 12.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  13. 13.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Everyone sings along with her
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  17. 17.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  18. 18.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  19. 19.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  20. 20.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem 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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  22. 22.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  23. 23.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  26. 26.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  27. 27.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The village well has dried up (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  28. 28.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 sings loudly without a microphone
  29. 29.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  33. 33.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  34. 34.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
  35. 35.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  39. 39.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
  40. 40.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Everyone sings along with her

Answer key

  1. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  2. The window is opened to let it out
  3. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  4. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  5. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  6. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  7. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  8. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  9. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  10. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  11. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  12. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  13. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  14. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  15. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  16. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  17. Everyone sings along with her
  18. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  19. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  20. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  21. She sings loudly without a microphone
  22. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  23. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  24. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  25. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  26. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  27. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  28. It is built higher up with a moat
  29. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  30. It is built higher up with a moat
  31. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  32. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  34. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  35. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  36. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  37. The box is found under the last seat
  38. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  39. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  40. The glasses are found on top of his head

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