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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 372 · 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?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  2. 2.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.
  3. 3.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  5. 5.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  6. 6.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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  7. 7.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The alarm button brings help
  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 hard word makes her mind go blank (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The shoes are swapped back
  10. 10.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  12. 12.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  14. 14.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  17. 17.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) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
  18. 18.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! Neel did not panic and looked at the names inside. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. Neel ran in the right shoes and came second.
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  20. 20.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  21. 21.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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
  22. 22.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  26. 26.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  27. 27.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.
  28. 28.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
  29. 29.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) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (b) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway.
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  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) 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.
  35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 long snake was curled up near the door. (b) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  36. 36.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  38. 38.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  39. 39.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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  40. 40.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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.

Answer key

  1. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  2. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  3. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  4. The box is found under the last seat
  5. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  6. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  7. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  8. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  9. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  10. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  11. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  12. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  13. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  14. The torn page is mended with tape
  15. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  16. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  17. The alarm button brings help
  18. The shoes are swapped back
  19. A board held up blocks the wind
  20. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  21. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  22. The box is found under the last seat
  23. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  24. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  25. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  26. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  27. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  28. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  29. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  30. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  31. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  32. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  33. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  34. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  35. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  36. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  37. The shoes are swapped back
  38. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  39. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  40. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.

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