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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 231 · 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 boat starts to leak”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  2. 2.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  7. 7.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The window is opened to let it out
  8. 8.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  9. 9.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (b) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  11. 11.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
  12. 12.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) The alarm button brings help (c) The window is opened to let it out
  13. 13.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 kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Everyone sings along with her
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  18. 18.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village.
  19. 19.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  20. 20.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  21. 21.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (b) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) She was too shy to sing in front of the others.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  23. 23.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  24. 24.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
  25. 25.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A train is three hours late
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The alarm button brings help
  27. 27.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  28. 28.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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  29. 29.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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.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) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  34. 34.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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The window is opened to let it out
  35. 35.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  36. 36.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  39. 39.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane.

Answer key

  1. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  2. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  3. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  4. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  5. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  6. The glasses are found on top of his head
  7. The alarm button brings help
  8. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  9. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  10. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  11. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  12. The torn page is mended with tape
  13. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  14. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  15. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  16. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  17. The glasses are found on top of his head
  18. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  19. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  20. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  21. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  22. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  23. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  24. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  25. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  26. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  27. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  28. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  29. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  30. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  31. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  32. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  33. She sings loudly without a microphone
  34. The window is opened to let it out
  35. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  36. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  37. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  38. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  39. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  40. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.

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