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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 537 · 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 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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  2. 2.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  3. 3.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 box is found under the last seat
  4. 4.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  6. 6.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  8. 8.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  9. 9.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (b) Her train was three hours late. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Everyone sings along with her
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The alarm button brings help (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  16. 16.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  18. 18.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 sings loudly without a microphone (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  19. 19.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  20. 20.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.
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  22. 22.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  23. 23.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 bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Everyone sings along with her
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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.
  27. 27.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  29. 29.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  31. 31.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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  32. 32.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  34. 34.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  35. 35.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  36. 36.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  37. 37.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 hard word makes her mind go blank (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  38. 38.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 marble rolls into a deep drain (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  39. 39.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 tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The box is found under the last seat
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The glasses are found on top of his head

Answer key

  1. The torn page is mended with tape
  2. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  3. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  4. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  5. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  6. The glasses are found on top of his head
  7. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  8. The shoes are swapped back
  9. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  10. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  11. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  12. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  13. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  14. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  15. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  16. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  17. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  18. Everyone sings along with her
  19. The glasses are found on top of his head
  20. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  21. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  22. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  23. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  24. Everyone sings along with her
  25. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  26. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  27. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  28. The shoes are swapped back
  29. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  30. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  31. It is built higher up with a moat
  32. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  33. They put on the spare tyre together
  34. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  35. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  36. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  37. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  38. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  39. The box is found under the last seat
  40. The box is found under the last seat

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