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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 619 · 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.

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  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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  2. 2.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  3. 3.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  4. 4.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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  5. 5.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) The alarm button brings help (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  6. 6.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) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  7. 7.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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (b) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  8. 8.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  10. 10.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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  12. 12.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  13. 13.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.
  14. 14.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  15. 15.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  17. 17.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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  18. 18.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
  19. 19.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The shoes are swapped back
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) The box is found under the last seat
  27. 27.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.
  28. 28.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  30. 30.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The window is opened to let it out
  34. 34.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.
  35. 35.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  36. 36.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  37. 37.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack
  38. 38.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 shoes are swapped back (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  39. 39.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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (b) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
  40. 40.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.

Answer key

  1. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  2. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  3. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  4. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  5. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  6. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  7. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  8. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  9. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  10. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  11. The alarm button brings help
  12. She sings loudly without a microphone
  13. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  14. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  15. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  16. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  17. The glasses are found on top of his head
  18. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  19. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  20. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  21. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  22. The shoes are swapped back
  23. It is built higher up with a moat
  24. She sings loudly without a microphone
  25. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  26. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  27. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  28. The shoes are swapped back
  29. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  30. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  31. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  32. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  33. The window is opened to let it out
  34. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  35. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  36. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  37. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  38. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  39. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  40. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.

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