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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 200 · 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 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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. She was too shy to sing in front of the others. Meher closed her eyes and pictured singing at home. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. Meher sang the whole song and felt brave.
    (a) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  4. 4.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
  7. 7.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (c) He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The box is found under the last seat
  10. 10.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. She was too shy to sing in front of the others. Meher closed her eyes and pictured singing at home. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. Meher sang the whole song and felt brave.
    (a) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  11. 11.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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school.
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. He found that he had left his homework at home. Aryan told Ms Gill the truth before she even asked. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. Aryan made a checklist so he would never forget again.
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Homework is left at home
  16. 16.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) The shoes are swapped back (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  17. 17.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) A train is three hours late (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  18. 18.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.
  19. 19.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  21. 21.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  23. 23.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  24. 24.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  25. 25.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  26. 26.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) The microphone stops working before her song (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  27. 27.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 shoes are swapped back (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  28. 28.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  31. 31.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  33. 33.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  34. 34.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  37. 37.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (b) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
  38. 38.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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  40. 40.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back

Answer key

  1. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  2. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  3. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  4. A board held up blocks the wind
  5. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  6. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  7. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  8. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  9. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  10. Everyone sings along with her
  11. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  12. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  13. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  14. It is built higher up with a moat
  15. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  16. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  17. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  18. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  19. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  20. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  21. The torn page is mended with tape
  22. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  23. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  24. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  25. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  26. She sings loudly without a microphone
  27. The box is found under the last seat
  28. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  29. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  30. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  31. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  32. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  33. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  34. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  35. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  36. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  37. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  38. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  39. A board held up blocks the wind
  40. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz

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