Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 141 · 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. 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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
2. 2.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off.
3. 3.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The torn page is mended with tape
5. 5.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
6. 6.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) The wrong name is written on a cake (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
7. 7.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.
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Everyone sings along with her
11. 11.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
12. 12.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
13. 13.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
14. 14.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
15. 15.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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
16. 16.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
18. 18.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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (b) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The box is found under the last seat
23. 23.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.
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) It is built higher up with a moat
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
26. 26.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.
27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
29. 29.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 is curled up in a shed (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
30. 30.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
31. 31.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) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
32. 32.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A board held up blocks the wind
35. 35.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
37. 37.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
38. 38.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
39. 39.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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
40. 40.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 board held up blocks the wind (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain

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