Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 6 · 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 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) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
2. 2.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.
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
4. 4.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.
5. 5.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
6. 6.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
7. 7.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The microphone stops working before her song
8. 8.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
9. 9.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) A new girl has no friends at lunch (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
10. 10.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
11. 11.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane.
12. 12.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
14. 14.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The window is opened to let it out
17. 17.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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
20. 20.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
21. 21.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) The window is opened to let it out
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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
26. 26.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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
27. 27.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
28. 28.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A boat starts to leak
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The window is opened to let it out
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
32. 32.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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) They put on the spare tyre together
35. 35.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.
36. 36.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. Diya held out a biscuit and spoke softly to it. The puppy crept out and licked her hand. Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed. (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) It is built higher up with a moat
39. 39.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.
40. 40.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh

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