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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 472 · 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 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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The microphone stops working before her song
  2. 2.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  3. 3.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  4. 4.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.
  5. 5.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  6. 6.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.
  7. 7.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  8. 8.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Everyone sings along with her
  10. 10.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 board held up blocks the wind (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  13. 13.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 marble rolls into a deep drain (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  16. 16.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  17. 17.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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (b) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
  18. 18.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The alarm button brings help
  20. 20.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  22. 22.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (b) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  23. 23.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.
  24. 24.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  25. 25.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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  26. 26.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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  27. 27.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  29. 29.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 torn page is mended with tape (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  30. 30.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  31. 31.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. 33.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
  34. 34.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.
  35. 35.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A boat starts to leak (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  36. 36.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.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The shoes are swapped back
  38. 38.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  39. 39.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bean seed does not sprout (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  40. 40.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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway.

Answer key

  1. She sings loudly without a microphone
  2. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  3. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  4. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  5. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  6. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  7. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  8. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  9. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  11. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  12. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  13. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  14. The torn page is mended with tape
  15. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  16. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  17. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  18. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  19. The alarm button brings help
  20. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  21. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  22. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  23. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  24. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  25. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  26. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  27. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  28. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  29. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  30. It is built higher up with a moat
  31. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  32. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  33. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  34. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  35. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  36. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  37. The shoes are swapped back
  38. The window is opened to let it out
  39. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  40. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.

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