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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 26 · 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.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 board held up blocks the wind (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The box is found under the last seat
  3. 3.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  5. 5.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  7. 7.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  8. 8.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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  10. 10.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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  11. 11.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  14. 14.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  15. 15.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 lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Everyone sings along with her
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  20. 20.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  21. 21.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.
  22. 22.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) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
  23. 23.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  24. 24.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  25. 25.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  27. 27.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
  28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (c) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  29. 29.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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  33. 33.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  34. 34.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) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The box is found under the last seat
  36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. Rahul was upset, but his friend Simran had an idea. They turned the big blue splash into a lake. Rahul’s poster with the lake won first prize.
    (a) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (b) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  37. 37.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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  38. 38.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.
  39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  40. 40.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!

Answer key

  1. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  2. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  3. The window is opened to let it out
  4. The torn page is mended with tape
  5. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  6. They put on the spare tyre together
  7. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  8. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  9. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  10. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  11. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  12. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  13. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  14. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  15. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  16. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  17. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  18. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  19. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  20. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  21. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  22. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  23. The box is found under the last seat
  24. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  25. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  26. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  27. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  28. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  29. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  30. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  31. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  32. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  33. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  34. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  35. The shoes are swapped back
  36. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  37. Everyone sings along with her
  38. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  39. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  40. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.

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