Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 484 · 40 questions

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.

1. 1.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The box is found under the last seat
2. 2.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.
3. 3.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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
4. 4.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.
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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
6. 6.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Homework is left at home” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
9. 9.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
10. 10.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
11. 11.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) It is built higher up with a moat
12. 12.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A new girl has no friends at lunch (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
13. 13.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
14. 14.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
19. 19.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.
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
23. 23.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
24. 24.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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Everyone sings along with her
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
26. 26.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
27. 27.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 shoes are swapped back (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
28. 28.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
31. 31.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A train is three hours late
32. 32.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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
33. 33.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Everyone sings along with her
36. 36.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
37. 37.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 torn page is mended with tape (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
38. 38.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
40. 40.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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room.

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