← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 616 · 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. 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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  2. 2.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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  4. 4.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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  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) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The box is found under the last seat
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  8. 8.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  9. 9.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  11. 11.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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
  12. 12.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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  13. 13.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back
  14. 14.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. Aisha wrote a note and took it to the principal. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters.
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  16. 16.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  17. 17.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Everyone sings along with her
  20. 20.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) Homework is left at home (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  21. 21.Read the story. How is the problem 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 park swing has cracked (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  22. 22.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.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  25. 25.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  26. 26.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  28. 28.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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
  29. 29.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) A snake is curled up in a shed (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  30. 30.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  32. 32.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  35. 35.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.
  36. 36.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  37. 37.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A lift stops between two floors
  38. 38.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The alarm button brings help (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  40. 40.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 torn page is mended with tape (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy

Answer key

  1. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  2. The window is opened to let it out
  3. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  4. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  5. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  6. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  7. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  8. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  9. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  11. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  12. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  13. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  14. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  15. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  16. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  17. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  18. The glasses are found on top of his head
  19. Everyone sings along with her
  20. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  21. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  22. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  23. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  24. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  25. It is built higher up with a moat
  26. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  27. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  28. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  29. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  30. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  31. She sings loudly without a microphone
  32. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  33. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  34. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  35. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  36. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  37. The alarm button brings help
  38. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  40. Posters help the owner find the puppy

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