Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 260 · 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.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
3. 3.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
4. 4.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.
5. 5.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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
6. 6.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The microphone stops working before her song
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
8. 8.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Her train was three hours late. (b) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
9. 9.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.
10. 10.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 changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The alarm button brings help
11. 11.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.
12. 12.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.
13. 13.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
14. 14.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
15. 15.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
16. 16.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.
17. 17.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
18. 18.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) They put on the spare tyre together
19. 19.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) It is built higher up with a moat
20. 20.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
21. 21.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The torn page is mended with tape
22. 22.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) The alarm button brings help (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
24. 24.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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
25. 25.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
26. 26.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (b) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
27. 27.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
28. 28.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) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (b) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (c) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building.
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
31. 31.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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
32. 32.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The shoes are swapped back
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
35. 35.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The alarm button brings help
40. 40.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (b) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (c) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried.

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