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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 223 · 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?
    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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  2. 2.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  4. 4.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.
  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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
  6. 6.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The shoes are swapped back
  7. 7.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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  8. 8.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. 10.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  11. 11.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  12. 12.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
  13. 13.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  15. 15.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  17. 17.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (b) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  22. 22.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) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  24. 24.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) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  25. 25.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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  26. 26.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  27. 27.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.
  28. 28.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The window is opened to let it out
  30. 30.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The alarm button brings help
  32. 32.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
  33. 33.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  34. 34.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  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) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (b) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  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) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  38. 38.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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
  39. 39.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) A puppy cannot find its owner (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  40. 40.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time

Answer key

  1. The window is opened to let it out
  2. The shoes are swapped back
  3. The shoes are swapped back
  4. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  5. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  6. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  7. The glasses are found on top of his head
  8. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  9. They put on the spare tyre together
  10. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  11. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  12. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  13. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  14. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  15. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  16. It is built higher up with a moat
  17. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  18. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  19. The torn page is mended with tape
  20. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  21. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  22. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  23. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  24. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  25. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  26. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  27. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  28. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  29. The window is opened to let it out
  30. She sings loudly without a microphone
  31. The alarm button brings help
  32. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  33. The box is found under the last seat
  34. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  35. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  36. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  37. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  38. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  39. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  40. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers

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