Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 40 · 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 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) A snake is curled up in a shed (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
4. 4.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
5. 5.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
6. 6.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
7. 7.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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (b) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The torn page is mended with tape
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
12. 12.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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
13. 13.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
14. 14.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
16. 16.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.
17. 17.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
18. 18.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
19. 19.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Everyone sings along with her
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) They put on the spare tyre together
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The torn page is mended with tape
22. 22.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The box is found under the last seat
24. 24.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
25. 25.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
26. 26.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
28. 28.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
29. 29.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
30. 30.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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
31. 31.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
32. 32.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.
33. 33.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 window is opened to let it out (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
34. 34.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane.
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (b) Her train was three hours late. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
37. 37.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.
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The window is opened to let it out
39. 39.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
40. 40.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (b) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.

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