Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 224 · 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. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
2. 2.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
3. 3.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.
4. 4.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
5. 5.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
6. 6.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.
7. 7.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) They put on the spare tyre together
9. 9.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
10. 10.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 puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The torn page is mended with tape
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The window is opened to let it out
12. 12.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
13. 13.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (b) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
15. 15.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
16. 16.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 alarm button brings help (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
18. 18.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
19. 19.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
20. 20.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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. Yash held the torch while Uncle Ravi took out the spare. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on. (a) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
22. 22.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The torn page is mended with tape
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
26. 26.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
27. 27.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
29. 29.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (b) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) Her train was three hours late.
30. 30.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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
31. 31.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
33. 33.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
35. 35.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 marble rolls into a deep drain (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
36. 36.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
38. 38.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.
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) It is built higher up with a moat
40. 40.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time

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