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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 409 · 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. 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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The shoes are swapped back
  3. 3.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  4. 4.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (b) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) She was too shy to sing in front of the others.
  5. 5.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  7. 7.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The shoes are swapped back
  10. 10.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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  12. 12.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  13. 13.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. Tara asked Mr Nair, the gardener, what was wrong. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced.
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  16. 16.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The window is opened to let it out
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  18. 18.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The alarm button brings help
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  21. 21.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) The box is found under the last seat (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  22. 22.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  23. 23.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  24. 24.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) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  25. 25.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
  27. 27.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  28. 28.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  29. 29.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  30. 30.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  31. 31.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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  33. 33.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 board held up blocks the wind (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  35. 35.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  37. 37.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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  38. 38.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  40. 40.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out

Answer key

  1. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  2. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  3. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  4. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  5. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  6. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  7. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  8. The window is opened to let it out
  9. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  10. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  11. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  12. The glasses are found on top of his head
  13. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  14. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  15. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  16. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  17. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  18. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  19. The alarm button brings help
  20. It is built higher up with a moat
  21. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  22. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  23. She sings loudly without a microphone
  24. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  25. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  26. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  27. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  28. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  29. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  30. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  31. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  32. It is built higher up with a moat
  33. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  34. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  35. The torn page is mended with tape
  36. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  37. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  38. The box is found under the last seat
  39. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  40. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out

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