Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 71 · 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?
   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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The village well has dried up
3. 3.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
4. 4.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The alarm button brings help
5. 5.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
6. 6.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) A train is three hours late (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A lift stops between two floors” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (c) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall.
12. 12.Read the story. How is the problem 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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Everyone sings along with her
13. 13.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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
15. 15.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
16. 16.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (b) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
19. 19.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
20. 20.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) They put on the spare tyre together
21. 21.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
22. 22.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
23. 23.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 is curled up in a shed (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
24. 24.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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (b) A long snake was curled up near the door. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
25. 25.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bean seed does not sprout (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
30. 30.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
31. 31.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
33. 33.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
36. 36.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
37. 37.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
38. 38.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
39. 39.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 torn page is mended with tape
40. 40.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees

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