Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 38 · 40 questions

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.

1. 1.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) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
2. 2.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
4. 4.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) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
5. 5.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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A boat starts to leak” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The shoes are swapped back
7. 7.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
8. 8.Read the story. How is the problem 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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
9. 9.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.
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem 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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
13. 13.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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
14. 14.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The shoes are swapped back (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
17. 17.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (b) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
18. 18.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The shoes are swapped back
20. 20.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 box is found under the last seat
21. 21.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.
22. 22.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) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
25. 25.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A board held up blocks the wind
26. 26.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 window is opened to let it out (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
27. 27.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
28. 28.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) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
29. 29.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Everyone sings along with her
31. 31.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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
38. 38.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. Pooja drew posters and stuck them on every gate. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) The window is opened to let it out
39. 39.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A train is three hours late
40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. Pooja drew posters and stuck them on every gate. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (a) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.

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