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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 412 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The shoes are swapped back
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  3. 3.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 puppy cannot find its owner (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Everyone sings along with her
  4. 4.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  5. 5.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  8. 8.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  10. 10.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) She was too shy to sing in front of the others.
  11. 11.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  14. 14.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 alarm button brings help (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  15. 15.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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  16. 16.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 snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  20. 20.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  21. 21.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap
  22. 22.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.
  23. 23.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.
  24. 24.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.
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The shoes are swapped back
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  28. 28.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) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
  29. 29.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
  30. 30.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
  31. 31.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  32. 32.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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
  33. 33.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.
  34. 34.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.
  35. 35.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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
  36. 36.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) Homework is left at home (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  37. 37.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) The window is opened to let it out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  38. 38.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  39. 39.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) The village well has dried up (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Everyone sings along with her
  40. 40.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform

Answer key

  1. The shoes are swapped back
  2. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  3. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  4. The torn page is mended with tape
  5. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  6. The window is opened to let it out
  7. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  8. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  9. The box is found under the last seat
  10. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  11. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  12. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  13. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  14. The alarm button brings help
  15. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  16. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  17. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  18. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  19. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  20. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  21. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  22. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  23. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  24. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  25. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  26. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  27. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  28. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  29. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  30. It is built higher up with a moat
  31. A board held up blocks the wind
  32. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  33. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  34. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  35. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  36. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  37. The torn page is mended with tape
  38. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  39. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  40. He changes into a clean spare uniform

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