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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 169 · 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 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.
  2. 2.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bean seed does not sprout (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  3. 3.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  5. 5.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. 6.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.
  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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The window is opened to let it out
  9. 9.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  12. 12.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  13. 13.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  14. 14.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  15. 15.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  17. 17.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (b) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (c) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village.
  18. 18.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  19. 19.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The shoes are swapped back
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (c) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall.
  28. 28.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 hard word makes her mind go blank (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  30. 30.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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  31. 31.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  32. 32.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.
  33. 33.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  35. 35.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  36. 36.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  37. 37.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  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) The alarm button brings help (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A lift stops between two floors

Answer key

  1. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  2. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  3. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  4. Everyone sings along with her
  5. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  7. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  8. The window is opened to let it out
  9. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  10. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  11. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  12. The shoes are swapped back
  13. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  14. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  15. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  16. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  17. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  18. The torn page is mended with tape
  19. The box is found under the last seat
  20. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  21. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  22. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  23. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  24. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  25. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  26. The box is found under the last seat
  27. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  28. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  29. The glasses are found on top of his head
  30. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  31. It is built higher up with a moat
  32. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  33. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  34. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  35. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  36. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  37. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  38. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  39. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  40. The alarm button brings help

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