Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 490 · 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 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) The box is found under the last seat (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
3. 3.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
4. 4.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
6. 6.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 box is found under the last seat (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
8. 8.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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
10. 10.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
11. 11.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
14. 14.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
19. 19.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
20. 20.Read the story. How is the problem 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 wanders away from the herd (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The shoes are swapped back
21. 21.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
22. 22.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.
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The shoes are swapped back
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
25. 25.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
28. 28.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) The alarm button brings help (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
31. 31.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
32. 32.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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
33. 33.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) It is built higher up with a moat
35. 35.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) The alarm button brings help (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
37. 37.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Her train was three hours late. (b) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
39. 39.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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
40. 40.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off.

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