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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 193 · 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?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  2. 2.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  3. 3.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (b) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
  4. 4.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
  7. 7.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  8. 8.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  10. 10.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.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
  13. 13.Read the story. How is the problem 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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The shoes are swapped back
  16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. Her train was three hours late. Fatima opened her bag and found a book of puzzles. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend.
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A train is three hours late (c) The box is found under the last seat
  17. 17.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  18. 18.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  19. 19.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  22. 22.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) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (b) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
  23. 23.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  24. 24.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  25. 25.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  26. 26.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  27. 27.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 tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  28. 28.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem 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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  31. 31.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  32. 32.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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  33. 33.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  34. 34.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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  35. 35.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  36. 36.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  38. 38.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.
  39. 39.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The shoes are swapped back
  40. 40.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain

Answer key

  1. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  2. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  3. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  4. It is built higher up with a moat
  5. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  6. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  7. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  8. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  9. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  10. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  11. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  12. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  13. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  14. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  15. The shoes are swapped back
  16. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  17. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  18. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  19. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  20. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  21. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  22. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  23. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  24. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  25. The glasses are found on top of his head
  26. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  27. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  28. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  29. She sings loudly without a microphone
  30. The box is found under the last seat
  31. The box is found under the last seat
  32. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  33. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  34. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  35. A board held up blocks the wind
  36. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  37. The glasses are found on top of his head
  38. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  39. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  40. A pond is dug to catch the rain

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