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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 455 · 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?
    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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  3. 3.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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
  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 torn page is mended with tape (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  5. 5.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  11. 11.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  12. 12.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Homework is left at home (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  13. 13.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
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  15. 15.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) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  16. 16.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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  17. 17.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  20. 20.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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building.
  21. 21.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  22. 22.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.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  25. 25.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. Kiara made a bright sign that said “Fresh Cookies!” Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. Soon Kiara had sold every cookie for the library fund.
    (a) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The alarm button brings help (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. 30.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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  31. 31.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  33. 33.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  34. 34.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  35. 35.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) A train is three hours late (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  37. 37.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.
  38. 38.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (b) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
  39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  40. 40.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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Everyone sings along with her

Answer key

  1. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  2. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  3. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  4. The torn page is mended with tape
  5. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  6. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  7. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  8. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  9. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  10. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  11. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  12. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  13. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  14. A board held up blocks the wind
  15. A board held up blocks the wind
  16. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  17. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  18. The torn page is mended with tape
  19. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  20. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  21. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  22. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  23. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  24. The window is opened to let it out
  25. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  26. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  27. The alarm button brings help
  28. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  29. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  31. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  32. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  33. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  34. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  35. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  36. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  37. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  38. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  39. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  40. Everyone sings along with her

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