Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 510 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
2. 2.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.
3. 3.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
4. 4.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) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (b) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway.
5. 5.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) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
8. 8.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 torn page is mended with tape (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
9. 9.Read the story. How is the problem 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 kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
10. 10.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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
12. 12.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) A snake is curled up in a shed (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
15. 15.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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
16. 16.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
17. 17.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
18. 18.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 box is found under the last seat (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
19. 19.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
21. 21.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
23. 23.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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
24. 24.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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (b) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) Her train was three hours late.
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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
26. 26.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
27. 27.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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
28. 28.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The window is opened to let it out
33. 33.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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
34. 34.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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
35. 35.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) They put on the spare tyre together
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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
38. 38.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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
39. 39.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) The alarm button brings help
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids