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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 177 · 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 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 strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  3. 3.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  4. 4.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) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  6. 6.Read the story. How is the problem 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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) The shoes are swapped back
  7. 7.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  8. 8.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  9. 9.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!
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  13. 13.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  14. 14.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  16. 16.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  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) The village well has dried up (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  19. 19.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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The window is opened to let it out
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  22. 22.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) A marble rolls into a deep drain (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. 25.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  26. 26.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  27. 27.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.
  28. 28.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (b) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  29. 29.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. 33.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) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  35. 35.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  36. 36.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  37. 37.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.
  38. 38.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  40. 40.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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.

Answer key

  1. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  2. It is built higher up with a moat
  3. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  4. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  5. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  6. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  7. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  8. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  9. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  10. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  11. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  12. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  13. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  14. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  15. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  16. A board held up blocks the wind
  17. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  18. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  19. The window is opened to let it out
  20. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  21. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  22. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  23. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  24. She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  26. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  27. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  28. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  29. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  30. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  31. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  32. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  34. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  35. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  36. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  37. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  38. It is built higher up with a moat
  39. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  40. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.

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