Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 147 · 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?
   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) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
3. 3.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
4. 4.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A board held up blocks the wind
5. 5.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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (b) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
6. 6.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
8. 8.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.
9. 9.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A board held up blocks the wind
10. 10.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A board held up blocks the wind
12. 12.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
13. 13.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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
15. 15.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) A train is three hours late (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
18. 18.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) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The shoes are swapped back
19. 19.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
20. 20.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
21. 21.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
22. 22.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
23. 23.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) It is built higher up with a moat
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) The alarm button brings help (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
30. 30.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
32. 32.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
33. 33.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) Her train was three hours late. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
35. 35.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
36. 36.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
38. 38.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
39. 39.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
40. 40.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The alarm button brings help

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