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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 466 · 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 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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
  2. 2.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  4. 4.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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  5. 5.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) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  6. 6.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  7. 7.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  9. 9.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 puppy cannot find its owner (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  10. 10.Read the story. How is the problem 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 cannot find his reading glasses (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  11. 11.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  13. 13.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  14. 14.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
  15. 15.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  17. 17.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  18. 18.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  22. 22.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  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) The microphone stops working before her song (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  27. 27.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Homework is left at home (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  28. 28.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) The alarm button brings help (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The window is opened to let it out
  31. 31.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  32. 32.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  34. 34.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.
  35. 35.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  39. 39.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) The shoes are swapped back
  40. 40.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.

Answer key

  1. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  2. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. The glasses are found on top of his head
  4. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  5. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  6. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  7. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  8. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  9. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  10. The glasses are found on top of his head
  11. Everyone sings along with her
  12. They put on the spare tyre together
  13. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  14. The alarm button brings help
  15. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  16. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  17. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  18. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  19. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  20. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  21. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  22. The window is opened to let it out
  23. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  24. She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. The window is opened to let it out
  26. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  27. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  28. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  29. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  30. The box is found under the last seat
  31. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  32. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  33. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  34. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  35. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  36. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  37. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  38. A board held up blocks the wind
  39. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  40. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.

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