← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 567 · 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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  3. 3.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  4. 4.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  6. 6.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Everyone sings along with her
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  9. 9.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  10. 10.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (b) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  11. 11.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  12. 12.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (b) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) Her train was three hours late.
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  17. 17.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  18. 18.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  19. 19.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) The glasses are found on top of his head
  20. 20.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  23. 23.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  24. 24.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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  25. 25.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  26. 26.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  27. 27.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) A long snake was curled up near the door. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  29. 29.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  31. 31.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  33. 33.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) The shoes are swapped back (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The window is opened to let it out
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  36. 36.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  37. 37.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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  38. 38.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.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.

Answer key

  1. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  2. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  3. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  4. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  5. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  6. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  7. The torn page is mended with tape
  8. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  9. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  10. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  11. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  12. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  13. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  14. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  15. She sings loudly without a microphone
  16. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  17. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  18. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  19. The alarm button brings help
  20. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  21. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  22. The glasses are found on top of his head
  23. She sings loudly without a microphone
  24. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  25. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  26. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  27. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  28. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  29. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  30. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  31. The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  33. They put on the spare tyre together
  34. The window is opened to let it out
  35. It is built higher up with a moat
  36. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  37. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  38. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  39. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  40. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids