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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 7 · 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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) Everyone sings along with her
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The box is found under the last seat
  4. 4.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.
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. Meera and her friend Tenzin searched seat by seat. The red box was hiding under the very last seat. Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you.
    (a) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  7. 7.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
  8. 8.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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  9. 9.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  10. 10.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  11. 11.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  12. 12.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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
  13. 13.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  14. 14.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
  15. 15.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  16. 16.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Everyone sings along with her
  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) 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.
  19. 19.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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  20. 20.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
  21. 21.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 window is opened to let it out (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  22. 22.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  24. 24.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  25. 25.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The shoes are swapped back
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  28. 28.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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The window is opened to let it out
  36. 36.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  37. 37.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  39. 39.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  40. 40.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) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.

Answer key

  1. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  2. Everyone sings along with her
  3. The box is found under the last seat
  4. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  5. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  6. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  7. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  8. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  9. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  10. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  11. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  12. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  13. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  14. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  15. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  16. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  17. A board held up blocks the wind
  18. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  19. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  20. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  21. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  22. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  23. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  24. A board held up blocks the wind
  25. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  26. The shoes are swapped back
  27. The glasses are found on top of his head
  28. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  29. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  31. She sings loudly without a microphone
  32. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  34. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  35. It is built higher up with a moat
  36. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  37. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  38. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  39. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  40. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.

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