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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 403 · 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.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.
  2. 2.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.
  3. 3.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.
  4. 4.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  5. 5.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  7. 7.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 puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  9. 9.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  13. 13.Read the story. How is the problem 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 is trapped at a window (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The window is opened to let it out
  14. 14.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  17. 17.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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  19. 19.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  20. 20.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
  21. 21.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  22. 22.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) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  23. 23.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  25. 25.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  26. 26.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  27. 27.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. Sneha found a torch and made shadow animals on the wall. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. Sneha told stories until the lights came back on.
    (a) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. Sahil stayed calm and pressed the red alarm button. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. Soon the doors opened, and Sahil stepped out safely.
    (a) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building.
  29. 29.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.
  30. 30.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) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (c) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  34. 34.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. Aditi did not give up and started all over again. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street.
    (a) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  36. 36.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  38. 38.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) The window is opened to let it out (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
  39. 39.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  40. 40.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back

Answer key

  1. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  2. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  3. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  4. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  5. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  6. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  7. The torn page is mended with tape
  8. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  9. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  10. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  11. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  12. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  13. The window is opened to let it out
  14. They put on the spare tyre together
  15. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  16. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  17. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  18. She sings loudly without a microphone
  19. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  20. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  21. The box is found under the last seat
  22. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  23. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  24. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  25. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  26. Everyone sings along with her
  27. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  28. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  29. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  30. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  31. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  32. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  33. It is built higher up with a moat
  34. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  35. The alarm button brings help
  36. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  37. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  38. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  39. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  40. The shoes are swapped back

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