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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 356 · 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 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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  2. 2.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 board held up blocks the wind (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  3. 3.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  4. 4.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  7. 7.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (b) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  10. 10.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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  11. 11.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) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (b) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
  14. 14.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) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  15. 15.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!
  16. 16.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  17. 17.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
  18. 18.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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) Her train was three hours late.
  19. 19.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  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?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  23. 23.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  25. 25.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  26. 26.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  27. 27.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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  29. 29.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!
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  32. 32.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  33. 33.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) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) The window is opened to let it out
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  37. 37.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) The alarm button brings help (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  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) 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.
  39. 39.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  40. 40.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.

Answer key

  1. The torn page is mended with tape
  2. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  3. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  4. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  5. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  6. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  7. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  8. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  9. The glasses are found on top of his head
  10. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  11. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  12. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  13. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  14. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  15. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  16. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  17. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  18. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  19. Everyone sings along with her
  20. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  21. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  22. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  23. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  24. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  25. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  26. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  27. The glasses are found on top of his head
  28. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  30. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  31. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  32. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  33. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  34. Everyone sings along with her
  35. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  36. They put on the spare tyre together
  37. The window is opened to let it out
  38. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  39. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  40. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.

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