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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 707 · 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?
    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) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  2. 2.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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  4. 4.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  5. 5.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  6. 6.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.
  7. 7.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  9. 9.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  10. 10.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  13. 13.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  14. 14.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  16. 16.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  18. 18.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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (b) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried.
  19. 19.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  21. 21.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) The window is opened to let it out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  22. 22.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) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  24. 24.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  25. 25.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  26. 26.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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school.
  28. 28.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  31. 31.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A lift stops between two floors
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. 33.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.
  34. 34.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  37. 37.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.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The alarm button brings help
  39. 39.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  40. 40.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.

Answer key

  1. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  2. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  3. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  4. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  5. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  6. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  7. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  8. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  9. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  11. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  12. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  13. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  14. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  15. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  16. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  17. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  18. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  19. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  20. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  21. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  22. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  23. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  24. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  25. The window is opened to let it out
  26. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  27. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  28. It is built higher up with a moat
  29. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. She sings loudly without a microphone
  31. The alarm button brings help
  32. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  34. The glasses are found on top of his head
  35. The shoes are swapped back
  36. It is built higher up with a moat
  37. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  38. The alarm button brings help
  39. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  40. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.

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