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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 49 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  2. 2.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  4. 4.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The village well has dried up
  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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  6. 6.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  7. 7.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.
  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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  9. 9.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  10. 10.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  13. 13.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  17. 17.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The alarm button brings help
  18. 18.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (c) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  19. 19.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  20. 20.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The shoes are swapped back
  21. 21.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
  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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  24. 24.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  26. 26.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 snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Everyone sings along with her
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The window is opened to let it out
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. 30.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) She was too shy to sing in front of the others.
  31. 31.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 blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  32. 32.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  33. 33.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.
  34. 34.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.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  36. 36.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  38. 38.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 makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  39. 39.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (b) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  40. 40.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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) They put on the spare tyre together

Answer key

  1. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  2. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  3. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  4. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  5. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  6. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  7. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  8. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  9. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  10. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  11. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  12. It is built higher up with a moat
  13. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  14. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  15. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  16. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  17. The alarm button brings help
  18. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  19. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  20. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  21. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  22. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  23. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  24. A board held up blocks the wind
  25. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  26. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  27. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  28. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  29. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  31. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  32. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  33. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  34. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  35. Everyone sings along with her
  36. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  37. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  38. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  39. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  40. They put on the spare tyre together

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