Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 487 · 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.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
2. 2.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 sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
3. 3.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A train is three hours late” (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
6. 6.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
7. 7.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
8. 8.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The torn page is mended with tape
9. 9.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.
10. 10.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.
11. 11.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
13. 13.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (b) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
14. 14.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
15. 15.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
16. 16.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
17. 17.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
20. 20.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A board held up blocks the wind
22. 22.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.
23. 23.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
26. 26.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
27. 27.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
28. 28.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
29. 29.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) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (b) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
32. 32.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Everyone sings along with her
33. 33.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
34. 34.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
36. 36.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 glasses are found on top of his head (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
37. 37.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up” (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A board held up blocks the wind
39. 39.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers

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