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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 557 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  2. 2.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) It is built higher up with a moat
  3. 3.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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  4. 4.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks.
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Everyone sings along with her
  7. 7.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks.
    (a) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  10. 10.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!
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  12. 12.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  13. 13.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  16. 16.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) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard.
  17. 17.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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  18. 18.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) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
  19. 19.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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (b) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
  20. 20.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  21. 21.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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  24. 24.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A train is three hours late (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  25. 25.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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  26. 26.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
  27. 27.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  30. 30.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  31. 31.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) The torn page is mended with tape
  32. 32.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  33. 33.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  34. 34.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  35. 35.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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  37. 37.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. 39.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  40. 40.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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A snake is curled up in a shed

Answer key

  1. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  2. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  3. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  4. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  5. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  6. It is built higher up with a moat
  7. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  8. The box is found under the last seat
  9. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  10. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  11. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  12. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  13. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  14. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  15. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  16. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  17. They put on the spare tyre together
  18. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  19. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  20. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  21. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  22. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  23. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  24. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  25. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  26. It is built higher up with a moat
  27. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  28. The window is opened to let it out
  29. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  31. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  32. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  33. Everyone sings along with her
  34. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  35. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  36. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  37. The shoes are swapped back
  38. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  39. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  40. A snake rescuer carries it away safely

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