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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 31 · 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?
    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 board held up blocks the wind (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  2. 2.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
  3. 3.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  5. 5.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (b) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room.
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.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) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  9. 9.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) The box is found under the last seat
  10. 10.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.
  11. 11.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  13. 13.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) Everyone sings along with her
  14. 14.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  15. 15.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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  16. 16.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  17. 17.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (c) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The alarm button brings help
  19. 19.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 hard word makes her mind go blank (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  20. 20.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A train is three hours late
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  22. 22.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  23. 23.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.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  25. 25.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
  26. 26.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.
  27. 27.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  28. 28.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) The window is opened to let it out (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  30. 30.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The shoes are swapped back
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  36. 36.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  38. 38.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  39. 39.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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  40. 40.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day

Answer key

  1. A board held up blocks the wind
  2. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  3. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  4. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  5. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  7. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  8. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  9. The torn page is mended with tape
  10. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  11. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  12. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  13. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  14. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  15. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  16. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  17. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  18. The alarm button brings help
  19. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  20. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  21. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  22. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  23. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  24. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  25. The alarm button brings help
  26. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  27. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  28. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  29. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  31. The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. It is built higher up with a moat
  33. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  34. The shoes are swapped back
  35. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  36. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  37. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  38. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  39. The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. The baker fixes one letter in icing

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