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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 511 · 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. 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) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  3. 3.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) She was too shy to sing in front of the others.
  4. 4.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  5. 5.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
  6. 6.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  7. 7.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
  8. 8.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.
  9. 9.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  10. 10.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
  11. 11.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  12. 12.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  13. 13.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The alarm button brings help (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  17. 17.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  18. 18.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  19. 19.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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
  20. 20.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  22. 22.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) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (b) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  26. 26.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  27. 27.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  28. 28.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  29. 29.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  30. 30.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  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) The wrong name is written on a cake (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The window is opened to let it out
  32. 32.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  34. 34.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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
  35. 35.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  39. 39.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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A board held up blocks the wind

Answer key

  1. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  2. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  3. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  4. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  5. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  6. The box is found under the last seat
  7. The alarm button brings help
  8. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  9. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  10. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  11. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  12. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  13. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  14. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  15. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  16. The alarm button brings help
  17. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  18. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  19. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  20. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  21. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  22. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  23. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  24. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  25. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  26. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  27. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  28. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  29. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  30. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  31. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  32. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  33. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  34. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  35. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  36. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  37. The box is found under the last seat
  38. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  39. The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. A snake rescuer carries it away safely

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