Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 171 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
2. 2.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A lift stops between two floors
3. 3.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
4. 4.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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (b) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room.
5. 5.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
6. 6.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 bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy has torn a page of a library book” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The torn page is mended with tape
9. 9.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
10. 10.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
11. 11.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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (b) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
12. 12.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.
13. 13.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
14. 14.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) The village well has dried up (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
15. 15.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
16. 16.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) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
17. 17.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
20. 20.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) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Everyone sings along with her
22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
23. 23.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 makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
25. 25.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
26. 26.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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The alarm button brings help
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The alarm button brings help
29. 29.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
30. 30.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
32. 32.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The box is found under the last seat
33. 33.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
34. 34.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.
35. 35.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
36. 36.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
38. 38.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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap

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