Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 726 · 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. 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.
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A boat starts to leak” (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
3. 3.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) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
4. 4.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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A bean seed does not sprout” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
7. 7.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
8. 8.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Her train was three hours late. (b) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station.
9. 9.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The microphone stops working before her song (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
10. 10.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
13. 13.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
14. 14.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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (b) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
15. 15.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach” (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
18. 18.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
19. 19.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
20. 20.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
21. 21.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy
22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
23. 23.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
24. 24.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
26. 26.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane.
27. 27.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
28. 28.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
29. 29.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) It is built higher up with a moat
32. 32.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.
33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
34. 34.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 tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
35. 35.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
38. 38.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The box is found under the last seat
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
40. 40.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.

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