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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 429 · 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?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  2. 2.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!
  3. 3.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) The box is found under the last seat
  4. 4.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) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (b) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  7. 7.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  8. 8.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
  10. 10.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  11. 11.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  12. 12.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A new girl has no friends at lunch (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  13. 13.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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  14. 14.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The alarm button brings help (c) Everyone sings along with her
  17. 17.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.
  18. 18.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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (c) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  19. 19.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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (b) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) Her train was three hours late.
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The shoes are swapped back
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  24. 24.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The microphone stops working before her song
  25. 25.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) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (b) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  29. 29.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. 30.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (b) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. Yash held the torch while Uncle Ravi took out the spare. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on.
    (a) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  34. 34.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 torn page is mended with tape (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  36. 36.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 is curled up in a shed (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Everyone sings along with her
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  39. 39.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) The window is opened to let it out
  40. 40.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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!

Answer key

  1. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  2. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  3. The box is found under the last seat
  4. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  5. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  6. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  7. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  8. A board held up blocks the wind
  9. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  10. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  11. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  12. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  13. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  14. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  15. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  16. Everyone sings along with her
  17. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  18. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  19. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  20. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  21. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  22. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  23. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  24. She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  26. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  27. A board held up blocks the wind
  28. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  29. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  30. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  31. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  32. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  33. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  34. The torn page is mended with tape
  35. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  36. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  37. It is built higher up with a moat
  38. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  39. The window is opened to let it out
  40. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.

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