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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 396 · 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?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. 3.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) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  5. 5.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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  6. 6.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) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school.
  7. 7.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
  8. 8.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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  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) The torn page is mended with tape (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 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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  11. 11.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  14. 14.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  15. 15.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  17. 17.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 boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  18. 18.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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  20. 20.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) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (b) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  21. 21.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  22. 22.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.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  24. 24.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.
  25. 25.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  27. 27.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  28. 28.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  29. 29.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  31. 31.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  32. 32.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (b) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  34. 34.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (b) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  35. 35.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) The box is found under the last seat
  36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
  37. 37.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  38. 38.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  40. 40.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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room.

Answer key

  1. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  2. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  4. The torn page is mended with tape
  5. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  6. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  7. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  8. The glasses are found on top of his head
  9. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  10. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  11. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  12. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  13. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  14. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  15. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  16. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  17. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  18. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  19. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  20. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  21. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  22. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  23. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  24. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  25. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  26. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  27. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  28. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  29. She sings loudly without a microphone
  30. She sings loudly without a microphone
  31. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  32. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  33. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  34. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  35. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  36. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  37. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  38. They put on the spare tyre together
  39. The alarm button brings help
  40. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.

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