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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 450 · 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?
    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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  3. 3.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 blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  4. 4.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) The microphone stops working before her song (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  6. 6.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 long snake was curled up near the door. (b) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  10. 10.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.
  11. 11.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 shoes are swapped back (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  12. 12.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  13. 13.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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  14. 14.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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  16. 16.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The shoes are swapped back
  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) 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.
  18. 18.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  21. 21.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
  22. 22.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  23. 23.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
  24. 24.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  25. 25.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  26. 26.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  27. 27.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) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
  28. 28.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The village well has dried up
  29. 29.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) The box is found under the last seat (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  31. 31.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  32. 32.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  34. 34.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 box is found under the last seat (c) The shoes are swapped back
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  36. 36.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (b) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  37. 37.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  39. 39.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem 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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip

Answer key

  1. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  2. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  3. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  4. She sings loudly without a microphone
  5. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  6. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  7. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  8. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  9. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  10. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  11. The torn page is mended with tape
  12. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  13. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  14. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  15. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  16. The shoes are swapped back
  17. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  18. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  19. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  20. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  21. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  22. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  23. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  24. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  25. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  26. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  27. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  28. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  29. The box is found under the last seat
  30. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  31. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  32. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  33. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  34. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  35. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  36. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  37. The alarm button brings help
  38. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  39. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  40. They put on the spare tyre together

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