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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 690 · 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. 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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  2. 2.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 shoes are swapped back (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  4. 4.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A boat starts to leak
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  6. 6.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  7. 7.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
  8. 8.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. 10.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.
  11. 11.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) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  13. 13.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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  14. 14.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  16. 16.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.
  17. 17.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  18. 18.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.
  19. 19.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
  20. 20.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
  21. 21.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) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  23. 23.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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  25. 25.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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  28. 28.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  30. 30.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”.
  31. 31.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  34. 34.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  36. 36.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.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  38. 38.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) The box is found under the last seat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. 39.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy

Answer key

  1. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  2. The shoes are swapped back
  3. The shoes are swapped back
  4. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  5. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  6. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  7. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  8. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  9. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  11. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  12. A board held up blocks the wind
  13. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  14. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  15. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  16. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  17. The window is opened to let it out
  18. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  19. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  20. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  21. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  22. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  23. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  24. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  25. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  26. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  27. She sings loudly without a microphone
  28. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  29. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  30. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  31. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  32. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  34. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  35. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  36. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  37. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  38. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  39. The alarm button brings help
  40. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out

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