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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 382 · 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 puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  2. 2.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  3. 3.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  4. 4.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  5. 5.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  6. 6.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  7. 7.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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
  8. 8.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  9. 9.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The village well has dried up (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  10. 10.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) A marble rolls into a deep drain (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  12. 12.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  14. 14.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  15. 15.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  16. 16.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. 18.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) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  21. 21.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  22. 22.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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  23. 23.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
  24. 24.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) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  25. 25.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (b) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  28. 28.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  29. 29.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.
  30. 30.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) She was too shy to sing in front of the others.
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Everyone sings along with her
  32. 32.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) The alarm button brings help (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A lift stops between two floors
  33. 33.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  34. 34.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) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  36. 36.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (b) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.
  37. 37.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) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform

Answer key

  1. The torn page is mended with tape
  2. The torn page is mended with tape
  3. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  4. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  5. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  6. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  7. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  8. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  9. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  10. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  11. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  12. The shoes are swapped back
  13. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  14. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  15. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  16. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  17. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  19. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  20. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  21. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  22. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  23. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  24. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  25. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  26. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  27. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  28. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  29. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  30. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  31. Everyone sings along with her
  32. The alarm button brings help
  33. The glasses are found on top of his head
  34. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  35. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  36. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  37. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  38. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  39. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  40. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out

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