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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 342 · 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?
    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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  3. 3.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
  4. 4.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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.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 window is opened to let it out (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  9. 9.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. Aisha wrote a note and took it to the principal. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters.
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  12. 12.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  13. 13.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.
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  16. 16.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) The shoes are swapped back (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  17. 17.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  19. 19.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  20. 20.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (b) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
  21. 21.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  24. 24.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.
  25. 25.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  26. 26.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  27. 27.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A snake is curled up in a shed (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem 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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  30. 30.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  31. 31.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A boat starts to leak (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  33. 33.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 box is found under the last seat (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  35. 35.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  36. 36.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  38. 38.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.
  39. 39.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) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A board held up blocks the wind

Answer key

  1. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  2. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  3. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  4. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  5. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  6. The window is opened to let it out
  7. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  8. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  9. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  10. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  11. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  12. It is built higher up with a moat
  13. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  14. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  15. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  16. The torn page is mended with tape
  17. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  18. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  19. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  20. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  21. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  22. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  23. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  24. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  25. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  26. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  27. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  28. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  29. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  31. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  32. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  33. The box is found under the last seat
  34. The window is opened to let it out
  35. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  36. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  37. They put on the spare tyre together
  38. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  39. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  40. A board held up blocks the wind

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