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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 255 · 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 tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The box is found under the last seat
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  4. 4.Read the story. How is the problem 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 bird falls out of its nest (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The shoes are swapped back
  5. 5.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Everyone sings along with her
  6. 6.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  7. 7.Read the story. How is the problem 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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  8. 8.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  9. 9.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.
  10. 10.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.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The window is opened to let it out
  12. 12.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  13. 13.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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  14. 14.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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  15. 15.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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  17. 17.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) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
  18. 18.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  19. 19.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  20. 20.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) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (b) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.
  21. 21.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  24. 24.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.
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  26. 26.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  28. 28.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem 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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  30. 30.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  31. 31.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.
  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) A train is three hours late (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  33. 33.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  34. 34.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  36. 36.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  37. 37.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  39. 39.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  40. 40.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (b) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.

Answer key

  1. The box is found under the last seat
  2. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  3. A board held up blocks the wind
  4. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  5. The shoes are swapped back
  6. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  7. A board held up blocks the wind
  8. The torn page is mended with tape
  9. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  10. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  11. The window is opened to let it out
  12. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  13. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  14. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  15. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  16. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  17. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  18. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  19. The box is found under the last seat
  20. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  21. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  22. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  23. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  24. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  25. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  26. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  27. The shoes are swapped back
  28. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  29. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  30. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  31. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  32. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  33. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  34. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  35. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  36. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  37. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  38. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  40. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.

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