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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 225 · 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?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  2. 2.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  3. 3.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.
  4. 4.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  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) The village well has dried up (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  8. 8.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (b) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  12. 12.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  13. 13.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The box is found under the last seat
  14. 14.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. Sneha found a torch and made shadow animals on the wall. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. Sneha told stories until the lights came back on.
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  17. 17.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.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  19. 19.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
  20. 20.Read the story. How is the problem 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 makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  21. 21.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A hard word makes her mind go blank (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The shoes are swapped back
  23. 23.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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  24. 24.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  25. 25.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  26. 26.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  27. 27.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  28. 28.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  29. 29.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  30. 30.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
  33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  36. 36.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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  37. 37.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
  38. 38.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  39. 39.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.

Answer key

  1. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  2. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  3. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  4. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  5. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  7. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  8. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  9. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  10. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  11. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  12. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  13. The box is found under the last seat
  14. It is built higher up with a moat
  15. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  16. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  17. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  18. The alarm button brings help
  19. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  20. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  21. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  22. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  23. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  24. They put on the spare tyre together
  25. Everyone sings along with her
  26. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  27. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  28. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  29. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  30. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  31. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  32. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  33. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  34. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  35. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  36. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  37. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  38. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  39. The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.

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