Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 577 · 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. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (b) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The box is found under the last seat
4. 4.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
6. 6.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A board held up blocks the wind
9. 9.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
10. 10.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The village well has dried up (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
11. 11.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
12. 12.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
13. 13.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) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
14. 14.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
16. 16.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
17. 17.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Homework is left at home
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
19. 19.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) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
20. 20.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
22. 22.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!
23. 23.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 torn page is mended with tape (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The shoes are swapped back
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
29. 29.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.
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Everyone sings along with her
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
33. 33.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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
34. 34.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.
35. 35.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
36. 36.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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
38. 38.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
40. 40.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap

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