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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 543 · 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 Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya.
    (a) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  2. 2.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. The old well had dried up, and people had no water. Lakshmi asked everyone to dig a pond to catch the rain. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim.
    (a) The village well has dried up (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  3. 3.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  4. 4.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 box is found under the last seat (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  5. 5.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  8. 8.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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  9. 9.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  10. 10.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya.
    (a) The microphone stops working before her song (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  11. 11.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) The shoes are swapped back
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  14. 14.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  15. 15.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  17. 17.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  18. 18.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  21. 21.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  22. 22.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.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  24. 24.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  25. 25.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  26. 26.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  27. 27.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  28. 28.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried.
  29. 29.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 blue splash is turned into a lake
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The box is found under the last seat
  32. 32.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The shoes are swapped back
  33. 33.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.
  34. 34.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  35. 35.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  37. 37.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  39. 39.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  40. 40.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead

Answer key

  1. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  2. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  3. The glasses are found on top of his head
  4. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  5. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  6. The torn page is mended with tape
  7. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  8. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  9. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  10. She sings loudly without a microphone
  11. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  12. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  13. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  14. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  15. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  16. A board held up blocks the wind
  17. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  18. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  19. It is built higher up with a moat
  20. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  21. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  22. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  23. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  24. The torn page is mended with tape
  25. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  26. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  27. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  28. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  29. It is built higher up with a moat
  30. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  31. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  32. The shoes are swapped back
  33. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  34. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  35. The alarm button brings help
  36. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  37. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  38. She sings loudly without a microphone
  39. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  40. A strong plank and rope make a new seat

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