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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 302 · 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. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  3. 3.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  4. 4.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) Everyone sings along with her
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  7. 7.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
  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) 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.
  9. 9.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  12. 12.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  13. 13.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  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) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  16. 16.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  17. 17.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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  18. 18.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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
  19. 19.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  21. 21.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The box is found under the last seat
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The shoes are swapped back
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (b) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  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) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  28. 28.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  29. 29.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) She sings loudly without a microphone
  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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  31. 31.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) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  34. 34.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) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  35. 35.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.
  36. 36.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  38. 38.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  40. 40.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out

Answer key

  1. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  2. She sings loudly without a microphone
  3. A board held up blocks the wind
  4. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  5. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  6. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  7. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  8. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  9. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  10. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  11. The shoes are swapped back
  12. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  13. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  14. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  15. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  16. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  17. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  18. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  19. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  20. A board held up blocks the wind
  21. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  22. The box is found under the last seat
  23. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  24. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  25. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  26. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  27. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  28. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  29. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  30. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  31. The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  33. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  34. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  35. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  36. Everyone sings along with her
  37. It is built higher up with a moat
  38. The alarm button brings help
  39. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  40. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out

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