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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 508 · 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?
    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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (b) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
  3. 3.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
  4. 4.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.
  5. 5.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) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (b) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  6. 6.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  7. 7.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  8. 8.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 window is opened to let it out
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  10. 10.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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
  11. 11.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  13. 13.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.
  14. 14.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  15. 15.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.
  16. 16.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The window is opened to let it out
  21. 21.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  22. 22.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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  24. 24.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  27. 27.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  28. 28.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.
  29. 29.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  30. 30.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (b) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
  33. 33.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) The window is opened to let it out
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  35. 35.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  36. 36.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) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building.
  37. 37.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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  38. 38.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  39. 39.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.
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine

Answer key

  1. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  2. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  3. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  4. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  5. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  6. A board held up blocks the wind
  7. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  8. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  9. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  10. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  11. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  12. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  13. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  14. The box is found under the last seat
  15. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  16. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  17. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  18. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  19. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  20. The window is opened to let it out
  21. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  22. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  23. The glasses are found on top of his head
  24. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  25. A board held up blocks the wind
  26. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  27. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  28. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  29. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  30. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  31. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  32. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  33. The window is opened to let it out
  34. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  35. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  36. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  37. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  38. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  39. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  40. The pot is moved into the sunshine

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