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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 45 · 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 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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  2. 2.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  3. 3.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  4. 4.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) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  5. 5.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  14. 14.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 kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  15. 15.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
  16. 16.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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  17. 17.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  18. 18.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  20. 20.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) The torn page is mended with tape
  21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  23. 23.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off.
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  28. 28.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 wrong name is written on a cake (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  29. 29.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.
  30. 30.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  31. 31.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 board held up blocks the wind (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  32. 32.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  34. 34.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  35. 35.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Everyone sings along with her
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  38. 38.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  39. 39.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.
  40. 40.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake

Answer key

  1. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  2. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  3. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  4. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  5. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  6. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  7. It is built higher up with a moat
  8. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  9. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  10. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  11. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  12. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  13. The box is found under the last seat
  14. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  15. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  16. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  17. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  18. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  19. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  20. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  21. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  22. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  23. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  24. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  25. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  26. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  27. They put on the spare tyre together
  28. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  29. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  30. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  31. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  32. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  33. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  34. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  35. It is built higher up with a moat
  36. Everyone sings along with her
  37. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  38. A board held up blocks the wind
  39. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  40. A pond is dug to catch the rain

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