Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 739 · 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 tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) They put on the spare tyre together
2. 2.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
3. 3.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
4. 4.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
6. 6.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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
7. 7.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) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
8. 8.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A train is three hours late
9. 9.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.
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall” (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
14. 14.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
15. 15.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
16. 16.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.
17. 17.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.
18. 18.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
19. 19.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
20. 20.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) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (b) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
21. 21.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
24. 24.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
25. 25.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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (b) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
26. 26.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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (b) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
27. 27.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
28. 28.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 village well has dried up (c) The box is found under the last seat
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
30. 30.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) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
31. 31.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) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway.
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A board held up blocks the wind
33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks. (a) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
34. 34.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
35. 35.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) She sings loudly without a microphone
36. 36.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
38. 38.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 snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back

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