Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 560 · 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?
   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 boat starts to leak (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
2. 2.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
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) A board held up blocks the wind
4. 4.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) The alarm button brings help (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
5. 5.Read the story. How is the problem 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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
6. 6.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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
7. 7.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) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) They put on the spare tyre together
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Homework is left at home” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The box is found under the last seat
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
12. 12.Read the story. How is the problem 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 wrong name is written on a cake (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
13. 13.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.
14. 14.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.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
16. 16.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
18. 18.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.
19. 19.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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
20. 20.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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway.
21. 21.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 sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
22. 22.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The torn page is mended with tape
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
24. 24.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.
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
27. 27.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The box is found under the last seat
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
29. 29.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
30. 30.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
31. 31.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. Tenzin followed its hoofprints down the muddy path. He found it by a stream and gently led it back. His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea. (a) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The alarm button brings help
33. 33.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
34. 34.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
35. 35.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 puppy cannot find its owner (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
37. 37.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Homework is left at home (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The window is opened to let it out
38. 38.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
39. 39.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
40. 40.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.

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