Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 585 · 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 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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (b) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
3. 3.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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
4. 4.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
5. 5.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
9. 9.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.
10. 10.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
11. 11.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 running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The box is found under the last seat
13. 13.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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
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) Her train was three hours late. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
16. 16.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
18. 18.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
21. 21.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The village well has dried up
22. 22.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) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. Ishaan asked the other children to help him mend it. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. By noon, Ishaan was swinging high on the new seat. (a) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (b) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
28. 28.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
29. 29.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
31. 31.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.
32. 32.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
34. 34.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A train is three hours late (c) They put on the spare tyre together
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
38. 38.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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building.
39. 39.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
40. 40.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back

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