← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 249 · 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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  2. 2.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.
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  8. 8.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  9. 9.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A boat starts to leak
  10. 10.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 is curled up in a shed (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  11. 11.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  12. 12.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) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (b) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
  13. 13.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  15. 15.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Homework is left at home
  17. 17.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  18. 18.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.
  19. 19.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  22. 22.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  24. 24.Read the story. How is the problem 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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  25. 25.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) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building.
  26. 26.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  28. 28.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. 29.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. 30.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.
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. 33.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The shoes are swapped back
  37. 37.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  38. 38.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) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (b) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
  39. 39.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  40. 40.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free

Answer key

  1. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  2. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  3. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  4. The window is opened to let it out
  5. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  6. They put on the spare tyre together
  7. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  8. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  9. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  10. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  11. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  12. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  13. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  14. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  15. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  16. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  17. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  18. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  19. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  20. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  21. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  22. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  23. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  24. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  25. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  26. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  27. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  28. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. She sings loudly without a microphone
  30. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  31. She sings loudly without a microphone
  32. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  34. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  35. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  36. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  37. The glasses are found on top of his head
  38. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  39. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  40. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids