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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 541 · 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 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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  2. 2.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
  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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  4. 4.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.
  5. 5.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  6. 6.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  7. 7.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  9. 9.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.
  10. 10.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
  11. 11.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) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  12. 12.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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  14. 14.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  15. 15.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.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The window is opened to let it out
  17. 17.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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
  18. 18.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The box is found under the last seat
  20. 20.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  21. 21.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  24. 24.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  28. 28.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  29. 29.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  30. 30.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  31. 31.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  33. 33.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  34. 34.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. Ayaan ran home and told Maa what had happened. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang.
    (a) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  37. 37.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The box is found under the last seat
  39. 39.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!
  40. 40.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away

Answer key

  1. The box is found under the last seat
  2. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  3. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  4. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  5. They put on the spare tyre together
  6. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  7. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  8. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  9. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  10. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  11. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  12. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  13. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  14. The shoes are swapped back
  15. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  16. The window is opened to let it out
  17. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  18. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  19. She sings loudly without a microphone
  20. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  21. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  22. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  23. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  24. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  25. It is built higher up with a moat
  26. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  27. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  28. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  29. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  30. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  31. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  32. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  33. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  34. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  35. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  36. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  37. A board held up blocks the wind
  38. The box is found under the last seat
  39. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  40. It is built higher up with a moat

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