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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 161 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  4. 4.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  5. 5.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  6. 6.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The window is opened to let it out
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  8. 8.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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Everyone sings along with her
  10. 10.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  11. 11.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  13. 13.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  14. 14.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Homework is left at home
  15. 15.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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  16. 16.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) A puppy cannot find its owner (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Everyone sings along with her
  17. 17.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 boat starts to leak (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  18. 18.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
  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) 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.
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  23. 23.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  24. 24.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  25. 25.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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
  26. 26.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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  29. 29.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  30. 30.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 kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  31. 31.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) The alarm button brings help (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  32. 32.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  34. 34.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 puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  35. 35.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  36. 36.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  37. 37.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) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard.
  38. 38.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest

Answer key

  1. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  2. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  3. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  4. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  5. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. The box is found under the last seat
  7. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  8. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  9. Everyone sings along with her
  10. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  11. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  12. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  13. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  14. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  15. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  16. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  17. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  18. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  19. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  20. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  21. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  22. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  23. Everyone sings along with her
  24. The shoes are swapped back
  25. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  26. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  27. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  28. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  29. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  30. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  31. The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  33. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  34. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  35. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  36. It is built higher up with a moat
  37. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  38. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  39. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  40. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out

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