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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 18 · 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. 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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  3. 3.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 shoes are swapped back (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  5. 5.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  9. 9.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  14. 14.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  15. 15.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  16. 16.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  18. 18.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  19. 19.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  20. 20.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem 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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  22. 22.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  23. 23.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  24. 24.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  28. 28.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  29. 29.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. 30.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  31. 31.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  34. 34.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  35. 35.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  37. 37.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  38. 38.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) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake

Answer key

  1. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  2. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  3. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  4. The glasses are found on top of his head
  5. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  6. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  7. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  8. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  9. A board held up blocks the wind
  10. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  11. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  12. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  13. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  14. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  15. The glasses are found on top of his head
  16. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  17. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  18. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  19. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  20. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  21. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  22. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  23. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  24. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  25. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  26. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  27. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  28. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  29. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  30. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  31. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  32. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  33. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  34. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  35. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  36. A board held up blocks the wind
  37. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  38. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  39. She sings loudly without a microphone
  40. They put on the spare tyre together

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