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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 185 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  2. 2.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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  3. 3.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 wrong name is written on a cake (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  4. 4.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  6. 6.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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  7. 7.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 baker fixes one letter in icing
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  9. 9.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.
  10. 10.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.
  11. 11.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  13. 13.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) The window is opened to let it out (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
  16. 16.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  17. 17.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  18. 18.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.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  22. 22.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 baby bird falls out of its nest (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  23. 23.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  25. 25.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  26. 26.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 boat starts to leak (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  27. 27.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  29. 29.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.
  30. 30.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (b) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  31. 31.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) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  34. 34.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  35. 35.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  37. 37.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) The shoes are swapped back
  38. 38.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The window is opened to let it out
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely

Answer key

  1. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  2. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  3. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  4. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  5. They put on the spare tyre together
  6. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  7. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  8. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  9. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  10. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  11. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  12. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  13. It is built higher up with a moat
  14. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  15. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  16. The torn page is mended with tape
  17. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  18. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  19. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  20. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  21. She sings loudly without a microphone
  22. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  23. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  24. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  25. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  26. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  27. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  28. The alarm button brings help
  29. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  30. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  31. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  32. The glasses are found on top of his head
  33. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  34. The box is found under the last seat
  35. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  36. The box is found under the last seat
  37. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  38. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  39. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  40. A snake rescuer carries it away safely

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