Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 205 · 40 questions

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.

1. 1.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
2. 2.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
3. 3.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.
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “She is too shy to sing in front of others” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
6. 6.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
7. 7.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
8. 8.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A train is three hours late” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
12. 12.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
14. 14.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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
15. 15.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
16. 16.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
17. 17.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The alarm button brings help
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book” (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The torn page is mended with tape
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) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
22. 22.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 window is opened to let it out
23. 23.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
25. 25.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 shoes are swapped back (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
27. 27.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
28. 28.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
29. 29.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
30. 30.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
31. 31.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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
32. 32.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
33. 33.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
35. 35.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
36. 36.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
39. 39.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
40. 40.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Everyone sings along with her

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