Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 416 · 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.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
2. 2.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 lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
3. 3.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) The shoes are swapped back
4. 4.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “She is too shy to sing in front of others” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Everyone sings along with her
7. 7.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
10. 10.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
11. 11.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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
14. 14.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
16. 16.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
17. 17.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
18. 18.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) The alarm button brings help (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
19. 19.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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
20. 20.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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
22. 22.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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
23. 23.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
24. 24.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
25. 25.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!
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
27. 27.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
28. 28.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.
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
30. 30.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 boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) The torn page is mended with tape
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A board held up blocks the wind
32. 32.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 pond is dug to catch the rain
33. 33.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.
34. 34.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.
35. 35.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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
37. 37.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) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) Everyone sings along with her
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
39. 39.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free

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