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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 507 · 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?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The window is opened to let it out
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  3. 3.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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  4. 4.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  5. 5.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  6. 6.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  7. 7.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 car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  8. 8.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The village well has dried up
  9. 9.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The box is found under the last seat
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  13. 13.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  16. 16.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.
  17. 17.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) The alarm button brings help
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The shoes are swapped back
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  20. 20.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  21. 21.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  23. 23.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Everyone sings along with her
  25. 25.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  26. 26.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Everyone sings along with her
  27. 27.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.
  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) A lift stops between two floors (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The alarm button brings help
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The window is opened to let it out
  30. 30.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  32. 32.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A boat starts to leak
  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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  36. 36.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) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  37. 37.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.
  38. 38.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  39. 39.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) They put on the spare tyre together

Answer key

  1. It is built higher up with a moat
  2. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  3. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  4. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  5. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  6. The shoes are swapped back
  7. They put on the spare tyre together
  8. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  9. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  10. The box is found under the last seat
  11. The window is opened to let it out
  12. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  13. The window is opened to let it out
  14. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  15. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  16. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  17. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. The shoes are swapped back
  19. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  20. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  21. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  22. She sings loudly without a microphone
  23. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  24. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  25. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  26. Everyone sings along with her
  27. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  28. The alarm button brings help
  29. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  30. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  31. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  32. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  34. The glasses are found on top of his head
  35. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  36. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  37. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  38. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  39. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  40. Solving puzzles together passes the time

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