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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 321 · 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 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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  2. 2.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  3. 3.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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  4. 4.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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. 6.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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
  7. 7.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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (b) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  8. 8.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 blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The box is found under the last seat
  9. 9.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (b) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
  13. 13.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (b) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The alarm button brings help
  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) 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.
  18. 18.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
  19. 19.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (b) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  23. 23.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The shoes are swapped back
  25. 25.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  27. 27.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  28. 28.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  29. 29.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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  30. 30.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  31. 31.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 microphone stops working before her song (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  32. 32.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
  33. 33.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) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  34. 34.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
  35. 35.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  36. 36.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  37. 37.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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (b) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room.
  38. 38.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) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (b) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two.
  39. 39.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. Then Isha saw another girl sitting alone too. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. By evening, Isha and Maria were best friends.
    (a) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (c) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.

Answer key

  1. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  2. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  3. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  4. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  5. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  7. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  8. The box is found under the last seat
  9. Everyone sings along with her
  10. It is built higher up with a moat
  11. A board held up blocks the wind
  12. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  13. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  14. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  15. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  16. The alarm button brings help
  17. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  18. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  19. It is built higher up with a moat
  20. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  21. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  22. She sings loudly without a microphone
  23. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  24. The shoes are swapped back
  25. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  26. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  27. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  28. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  29. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  30. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  31. She sings loudly without a microphone
  32. The torn page is mended with tape
  33. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  34. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  35. They put on the spare tyre together
  36. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  37. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  38. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  39. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  40. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.

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