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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 384 · 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) The alarm button brings help (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  2. 2.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  3. 3.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  5. 5.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 board held up blocks the wind (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. 6.Read the story. How is the problem 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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  9. 9.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) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  10. 10.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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  13. 13.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. Advik opened the window wide and stepped back. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky.
    (a) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The box is found under the last seat
  15. 15.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  16. 16.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  19. 19.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  20. 20.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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  23. 23.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  24. 24.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.
  25. 25.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  26. 26.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  27. 27.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) A bean seed does not sprout (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  28. 28.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  30. 30.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) A train is three hours late (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  31. 31.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) They put on the spare tyre together
  32. 32.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  33. 33.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.
  34. 34.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 box is found under the last seat (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  35. 35.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
  36. 36.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  37. 37.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out

Answer key

  1. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  2. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  3. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  4. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  5. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  7. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  8. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  9. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  10. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  11. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  12. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  13. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  14. The box is found under the last seat
  15. Everyone sings along with her
  16. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  17. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  18. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  19. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  20. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  21. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  22. The torn page is mended with tape
  23. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  24. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  25. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  26. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  27. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  28. She sings loudly without a microphone
  29. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  30. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  31. It is built higher up with a moat
  32. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  33. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  34. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  35. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  36. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  37. The torn page is mended with tape
  38. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  39. She sings loudly without a microphone
  40. The window is opened to let it out

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