Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 142 · 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?
   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) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
2. 2.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.
3. 3.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A boat starts to leak” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
5. 5.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) She sings loudly without a microphone
6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
7. 7.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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
9. 9.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (c) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
10. 10.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
11. 11.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
12. 12.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) It is built higher up with a moat
13. 13.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 blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
15. 15.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.
16. 16.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The box is found under the last seat
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The alarm button brings help
19. 19.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand
20. 20.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.
21. 21.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day
22. 22.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
23. 23.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
25. 25.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) They put on the spare tyre together
26. 26.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) The box is found under the last seat
27. 27.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.
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
29. 29.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
30. 30.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 sings loudly without a microphone (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
31. 31.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
32. 32.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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
34. 34.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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
35. 35.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The alarm button brings help
39. 39.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.
40. 40.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Everyone sings along with her

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