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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 364 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. 3.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  4. 4.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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (c) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building.
  5. 5.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
  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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  8. 8.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  9. 9.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  10. 10.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  11. 11.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  12. 12.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) Her train was three hours late. (b) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
  13. 13.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.
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  15. 15.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  17. 17.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  18. 18.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  19. 19.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  20. 20.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  21. 21.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem 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 park swing has cracked (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  23. 23.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  27. 27.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  28. 28.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  29. 29.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  31. 31.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) A train is three hours late (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  34. 34.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 blue splash is turned into a lake (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  36. 36.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.
  37. 37.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  39. 39.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch

Answer key

  1. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  2. The shoes are swapped back
  3. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  4. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  5. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  6. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  7. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  8. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  9. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  10. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  11. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  12. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  13. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  14. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  15. It is built higher up with a moat
  16. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  17. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  18. A board held up blocks the wind
  19. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  20. Everyone sings along with her
  21. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  22. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  23. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  24. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  25. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  26. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  27. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  28. The torn page is mended with tape
  29. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  30. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  31. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  32. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  33. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  34. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  35. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  36. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  37. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  38. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  39. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  40. The glasses are found on top of his head

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