Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 662 · 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?
   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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
2. 2.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
3. 3.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
4. 4.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
5. 5.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (b) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
6. 6.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (b) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
7. 7.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Homework is left at home” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
9. 9.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) It is built higher up with a moat
10. 10.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
11. 11.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Everyone sings along with her
12. 12.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
13. 13.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
15. 15.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
16. 16.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) The torn page is mended with tape
17. 17.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
18. 18.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
19. 19.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain
20. 20.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (b) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
22. 22.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A train is three hours late
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
24. 24.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
25. 25.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
27. 27.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The window is opened to let it out
29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
30. 30.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) A boat starts to leak (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The window is opened to let it out
36. 36.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
38. 38.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
39. 39.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
40. 40.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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) They put on the spare tyre together

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