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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 385 · 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.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The shoes are swapped back
  3. 3.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  4. 4.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.
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Homework is left at home (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  12. 12.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  13. 13.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (b) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The alarm button brings help
  16. 16.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  17. 17.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  19. 19.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Everyone sings along with her
  21. 21.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  22. 22.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (b) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  24. 24.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  25. 25.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  26. 26.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
  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 blue splash is turned into a lake (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The microphone stops working before her song
  29. 29.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  31. 31.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  32. 32.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 torn page is mended with tape (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  33. 33.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  37. 37.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  38. 38.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.

Answer key

  1. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  2. The shoes are swapped back
  3. The box is found under the last seat
  4. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  5. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  6. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  7. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  8. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  9. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  10. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  11. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  12. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  13. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  14. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  15. The alarm button brings help
  16. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  17. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. The glasses are found on top of his head
  19. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  20. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  21. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  22. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  23. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  24. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  25. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  26. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  27. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  28. She sings loudly without a microphone
  29. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  30. They put on the spare tyre together
  31. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  32. The torn page is mended with tape
  33. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  34. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  35. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  36. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  37. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  38. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  39. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  40. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.

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