Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 405 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
2. 2.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy has torn a page of a library book” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The torn page is mended with tape
5. 5.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) They put on the spare tyre together
6. 6.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 box is found under the last seat
7. 7.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 bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The box is found under the last seat
8. 8.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) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
10. 10.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Everyone sings along with her
11. 11.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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
12. 12.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 cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
13. 13.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) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard.
14. 14.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.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The shoes are swapped back
17. 17.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
18. 18.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
21. 21.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) The shoes are swapped back (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
22. 22.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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
24. 24.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
25. 25.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.
26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. Meera and her friend Tenzin searched seat by seat. The red box was hiding under the very last seat. Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you. (a) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
27. 27.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
28. 28.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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane.
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
31. 31.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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
32. 32.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The village well has dried up
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) A hard word makes her mind go blank (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) It is built higher up with a moat
34. 34.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
36. 36.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A board held up blocks the wind
37. 37.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (b) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two.
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) It is built higher up with a moat
39. 39.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
40. 40.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Homework is left at home (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day

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