Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 39 · 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 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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
2. 2.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) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building.
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
5. 5.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
8. 8.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) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
9. 9.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.
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
11. 11.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Everyone sings along with her
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
14. 14.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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The box is found under the last seat
16. 16.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
17. 17.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
18. 18.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
21. 21.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 shoes are swapped back (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
22. 22.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 wrong name is written on a cake (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
23. 23.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
24. 24.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
26. 26.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
27. 27.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The window is opened to let it out
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
30. 30.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
31. 31.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.
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The window is opened to let it out
33. 33.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
34. 34.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A board held up blocks the wind
35. 35.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.
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The torn page is mended with tape
37. 37.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. Yash held the torch while Uncle Ravi took out the spare. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on. (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
38. 38.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.
39. 39.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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand

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