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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 500 · 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. 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.
  2. 2.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  3. 3.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  4. 4.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  5. 5.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  8. 8.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The alarm button brings help
  10. 10.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) The alarm button brings help (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
  13. 13.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The window is opened to let it out
  15. 15.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) A train is three hours late (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  16. 16.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) The box is found under the last seat
  17. 17.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  18. 18.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.
  19. 19.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.
  20. 20.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) The window is opened to let it out (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  21. 21.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  23. 23.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  25. 25.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  26. 26.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
  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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  28. 28.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) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  29. 29.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  31. 31.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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  32. 32.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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  34. 34.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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
  35. 35.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  36. 36.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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  40. 40.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it

Answer key

  1. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  2. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  3. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  4. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  5. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  6. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  7. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  8. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  9. The alarm button brings help
  10. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  11. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  12. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  13. The shoes are swapped back
  14. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  15. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  16. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  17. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  18. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  19. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  20. They put on the spare tyre together
  21. The torn page is mended with tape
  22. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  23. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  24. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  25. A board held up blocks the wind
  26. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  27. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  28. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  29. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  30. The shoes are swapped back
  31. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  32. It is built higher up with a moat
  33. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  34. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  35. The torn page is mended with tape
  36. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  37. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  38. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. The window is opened to let it out
  40. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it

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