← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 337 · 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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
  2. 2.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  3. 3.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.
  4. 4.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  6. 6.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  7. 7.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  8. 8.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back
  9. 9.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  13. 13.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) A train is three hours late (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  14. 14.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  15. 15.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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  17. 17.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  20. 20.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  21. 21.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  23. 23.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
  24. 24.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  25. 25.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (b) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  29. 29.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (b) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  30. 30.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 box is found under the last seat (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  31. 31.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) Homework is left at home
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The box is found under the last seat
  33. 33.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  34. 34.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  36. 36.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  37. 37.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (c) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off.
  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) 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.
  39. 39.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  40. 40.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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.

Answer key

  1. The alarm button brings help
  2. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  3. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  4. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  5. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  7. The box is found under the last seat
  8. She sings loudly without a microphone
  9. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  10. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  11. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  12. It is built higher up with a moat
  13. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  14. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  15. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  16. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  17. They put on the spare tyre together
  18. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  19. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  20. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  21. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  22. The torn page is mended with tape
  23. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  24. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  25. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  26. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  27. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  28. The alarm button brings help
  29. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  30. A board held up blocks the wind
  31. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  32. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  33. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  34. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  35. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  36. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  37. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  38. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  39. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  40. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids