Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 230 · 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.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A lift stops between two floors” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
3. 3.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) A new girl has no friends at lunch (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
4. 4.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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A board held up blocks the wind
6. 6.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
7. 7.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) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The village well has dried up” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The box is found under the last seat
9. 9.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!
10. 10.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) It is built higher up with a moat
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A board held up blocks the wind
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
13. 13.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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
14. 14.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.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
19. 19.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
20. 20.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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
22. 22.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
23. 23.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.
24. 24.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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
26. 26.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.
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
29. 29.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) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) Everyone sings along with her
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
32. 32.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 old swing had cracked in two. (b) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
34. 34.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
36. 36.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
38. 38.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The village well has dried up
39. 39.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
40. 40.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size

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