← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 389 · 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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Everyone sings along with her
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  6. 6.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  7. 7.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  8. 8.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) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
  10. 10.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 boat starts to leak (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  11. 11.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  13. 13.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  16. 16.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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Everyone sings along with her
  17. 17.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  19. 19.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  20. 20.Read the story. How is the problem 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 makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  21. 21.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
  22. 22.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  23. 23.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) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (b) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two.
  24. 24.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.
  25. 25.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The alarm button brings help (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  26. 26.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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  28. 28.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  31. 31.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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (c) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall.
  32. 32.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) The box is found under the last seat
  33. 33.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  34. 34.Read the story. How is the problem 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 keeps dripping and wasting water (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  36. 36.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  37. 37.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  38. 38.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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  39. 39.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
  40. 40.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.

Answer key

  1. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  2. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  3. They put on the spare tyre together
  4. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  5. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  6. It is built higher up with a moat
  7. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  8. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  9. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  10. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  11. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  12. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  13. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  14. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  15. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  16. Everyone sings along with her
  17. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  18. The glasses are found on top of his head
  19. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  20. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  21. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  22. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  23. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  24. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  25. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  26. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  27. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  28. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  31. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  32. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  34. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  35. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  36. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  37. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  38. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  39. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  40. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids