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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 318 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  3. 3.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.
  4. 4.Read the story. How is the problem 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 wanders away from the herd (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  5. 5.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. 10.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
  11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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) The alarm button brings help (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  15. 15.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  16. 16.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  17. 17.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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The alarm button brings help
  18. 18.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  19. 19.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  23. 23.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) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  25. 25.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  27. 27.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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  28. 28.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 lift stops between two floors (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The box is found under the last seat
  31. 31.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  32. 32.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  35. 35.Read the story. How is the problem 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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  36. 36.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.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  40. 40.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane.

Answer key

  1. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  2. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  3. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  4. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  5. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  6. They put on the spare tyre together
  7. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  8. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  9. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  10. The shoes are swapped back
  11. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  12. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  13. The glasses are found on top of his head
  14. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  15. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  16. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  17. The window is opened to let it out
  18. She sings loudly without a microphone
  19. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  20. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  21. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  22. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  23. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  24. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  25. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  26. It is built higher up with a moat
  27. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  28. The alarm button brings help
  29. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  30. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  31. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  32. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  33. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  34. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  35. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  36. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  37. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  38. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  39. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  40. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.

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