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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 505 · 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?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (c) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  3. 3.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  5. 5.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) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  6. 6.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  7. 7.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  8. 8.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.
  9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
  10. 10.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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  12. 12.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  13. 13.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
  16. 16.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  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) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
  18. 18.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  19. 19.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) A bean seed does not sprout (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  20. 20.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 puppy cannot find its owner (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  22. 22.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) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  23. 23.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.
  24. 24.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  25. 25.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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  27. 27.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  28. 28.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) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem 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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Homework is left at home (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  30. 30.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 sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  31. 31.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  32. 32.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.
  33. 33.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) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  34. 34.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.
  35. 35.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) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (b) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  36. 36.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 box is found under the last seat (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  37. 37.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  38. 38.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.

Answer key

  1. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  2. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  3. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  4. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  5. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  6. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  7. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  8. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  9. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  10. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  11. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  12. It is built higher up with a moat
  13. The box is found under the last seat
  14. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  15. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  16. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  17. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  18. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  19. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  20. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  21. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  22. The torn page is mended with tape
  23. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  24. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  25. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  26. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  27. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  28. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  29. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  30. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  31. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  32. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  33. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  34. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  35. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  36. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  37. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  38. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  39. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  40. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.

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