Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 697 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
2. 2.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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (c) He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
3. 3.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) The village well has dried up (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
4. 4.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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (b) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
5. 5.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “She is too shy to sing in front of others” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A baby bird falls out of its nest” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy has torn a page of a library book” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The torn page is mended with tape
9. 9.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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The box is found under the last seat
11. 11.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) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
12. 12.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (b) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
16. 16.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) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (b) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
18. 18.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy
19. 19.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
20. 20.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) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (b) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
22. 22.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.
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
24. 24.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A board held up blocks the wind
26. 26.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 hard word makes her mind go blank (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
27. 27.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
28. 28.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.
29. 29.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
31. 31.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
32. 32.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A lift stops between two floors
33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The alarm button brings help
34. 34.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
35. 35.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
36. 36.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) Everyone sings along with her
39. 39.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
40. 40.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank

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