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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 164 · 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 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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  2. 2.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  3. 3.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.
  4. 4.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
  5. 5.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  6. 6.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) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The window is opened to let it out
  7. 7.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) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  8. 8.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) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  9. 9.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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  10. 10.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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
  11. 11.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) The alarm button brings help (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  13. 13.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!
  14. 14.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The alarm button brings help
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  18. 18.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A marble rolls 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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  21. 21.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  23. 23.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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 butterfly is trapped at a window (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  27. 27.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) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  29. 29.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  30. 30.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.
  31. 31.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  33. 33.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  34. 34.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  37. 37.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  38. 38.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. 39.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) The microphone stops working before her song (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  40. 40.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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.

Answer key

  1. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  2. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  3. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  4. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  5. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  6. A board held up blocks the wind
  7. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  8. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  9. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  10. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  11. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  12. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  13. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  14. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  15. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  16. The glasses are found on top of his head
  17. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  18. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  19. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  20. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  21. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  22. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  23. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  24. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  25. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  26. The window is opened to let it out
  27. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  28. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  29. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  30. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  31. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  32. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  33. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  34. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  35. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  36. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  37. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  38. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. She sings loudly without a microphone
  40. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.

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