Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 296 · 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. 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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
2. 2.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy has torn a page of a library book” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The torn page is mended with tape
4. 4.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
5. 5.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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
6. 6.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Homework is left at home (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
10. 10.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
11. 11.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) The village well has dried up (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
12. 12.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) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
16. 16.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
17. 17.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
19. 19.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
20. 20.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
21. 21.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 boat starts to leak (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
22. 22.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
23. 23.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) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
25. 25.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.
26. 26.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
27. 27.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
29. 29.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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (b) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
31. 31.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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
33. 33.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
35. 35.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) A long snake was curled up near the door. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
36. 36.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
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) Everyone sings along with her
38. 38.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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
39. 39.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) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
40. 40.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy

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