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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 346 · 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. 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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  2. 2.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  3. 3.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  6. 6.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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
  7. 7.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  8. 8.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  11. 11.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Homework is left at home
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  13. 13.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A train is three hours late
  16. 16.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  17. 17.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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (b) Her train was three hours late. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  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) The microphone stops working before her song (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  19. 19.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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Everyone sings along with her
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The shoes are swapped back
  25. 25.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  27. 27.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  28. 28.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) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
  29. 29.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) The alarm button brings help (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  33. 33.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  34. 34.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) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  35. 35.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  36. 36.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  37. 37.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  38. 38.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) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The box is found under the last seat
  40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (b) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.

Answer key

  1. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  2. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  3. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  4. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  5. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  6. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  7. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  8. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  9. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  10. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  11. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  12. The torn page is mended with tape
  13. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  14. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  15. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  16. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  17. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  18. She sings loudly without a microphone
  19. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  20. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  21. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  22. Everyone sings along with her
  23. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  24. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  25. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  26. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  27. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  28. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  29. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. The glasses are found on top of his head
  31. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  32. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  33. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  34. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  35. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  36. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  37. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  38. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  39. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  40. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.

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