Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 386 · 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?
   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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
4. 4.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (b) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (c) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village.
5. 5.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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
6. 6.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
7. 7.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
8. 8.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
10. 10.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The alarm button brings help (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
12. 12.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
13. 13.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
14. 14.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.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
16. 16.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
17. 17.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.
18. 18.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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
20. 20.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
21. 21.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
22. 22.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. Ananya stayed calm and checked every jar again. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. (a) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
24. 24.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. Ananya stayed calm and checked every jar again. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
25. 25.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
27. 27.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
30. 30.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The box is found under the last seat
33. 33.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.
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A board held up blocks the wind
35. 35.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) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
36. 36.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
37. 37.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 snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
39. 39.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy

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