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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 411 · 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 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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  4. 4.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.
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The box is found under the last seat
  7. 7.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  8. 8.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (b) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  12. 12.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  14. 14.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
  15. 15.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A lift stops between two floors (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The alarm button brings help
  17. 17.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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
  18. 18.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  19. 19.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  20. 20.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  22. 22.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) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  23. 23.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) The alarm button brings help
  24. 24.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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (b) Her train was three hours late. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  27. 27.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 bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  28. 28.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  29. 29.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Everyone sings along with her
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  32. 32.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (b) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The alarm button brings help
  35. 35.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  37. 37.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Homework is left at home
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Everyone sings along with her
  39. 39.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  40. 40.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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.

Answer key

  1. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  2. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  3. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  4. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  5. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  6. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  7. The window is opened to let it out
  8. The shoes are swapped back
  9. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  10. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  11. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  12. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  13. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  14. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  15. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  16. The alarm button brings help
  17. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  18. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  19. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  20. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  21. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  22. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  23. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  24. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  25. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  26. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  27. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  28. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  29. A board held up blocks the wind
  30. She sings loudly without a microphone
  31. The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  33. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  34. They put on the spare tyre together
  35. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  36. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  37. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  38. Everyone sings along with her
  39. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  40. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.

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