Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 322 · 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. 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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
2. 2.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day
3. 3.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.
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy has torn a page of a library book” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The torn page is mended with tape
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) It is built higher up with a moat
6. 6.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
7. 7.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
8. 8.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.
9. 9.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The village well has dried up (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
10. 10.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
13. 13.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A board held up blocks the wind
14. 14.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
15. 15.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.
16. 16.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
18. 18.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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
20. 20.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
21. 21.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
22. 22.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
23. 23.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) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
25. 25.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Homework is left at home (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
26. 26.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried.
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
29. 29.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
30. 30.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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
31. 31.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
32. 32.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) The window is opened to let it out
33. 33.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
34. 34.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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
37. 37.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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
38. 38.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
39. 39.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 torn page is mended with tape
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner

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