Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 55 · 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.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 name is called on the loudspeaker (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
2. 2.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The window is opened to let it out
4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
5. 5.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
6. 6.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
7. 7.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
9. 9.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 shoes are swapped back (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The window is opened to let it out
11. 11.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
14. 14.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
16. 16.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
17. 17.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The alarm button brings help
18. 18.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
19. 19.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
20. 20.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.
21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
26. 26.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
27. 27.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
28. 28.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
29. 29.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
30. 30.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
31. 31.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 tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
32. 32.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
33. 33.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 torn page is mended with tape (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
34. 34.Read the story. How is the problem 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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The box is found under the last seat
37. 37.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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
39. 39.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.
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The window is opened to let it out

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