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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 750 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  2. 2.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!
  3. 3.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) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  4. 4.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  5. 5.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  6. 6.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) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  8. 8.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  9. 9.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
  10. 10.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  14. 14.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) A long snake was curled up near the door. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
  15. 15.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) The box is found under the last seat (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The window is opened to let it out
  18. 18.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) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  20. 20.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) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  21. 21.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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  23. 23.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  25. 25.Read the story. How is the problem 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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The alarm button brings help (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  29. 29.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
  30. 30.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  31. 31.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  32. 32.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) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
  33. 33.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  34. 34.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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  35. 35.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  36. 36.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) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  37. 37.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (b) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  39. 39.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) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. Anjali pressed her rubber slipper hard over the crack. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief.
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A boat starts to leak

Answer key

  1. The box is found under the last seat
  2. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  3. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  4. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  5. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  6. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  7. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  8. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  9. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  10. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  11. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  12. The glasses are found on top of his head
  13. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  14. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  15. It is built higher up with a moat
  16. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  17. The window is opened to let it out
  18. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  19. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  20. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  21. The window is opened to let it out
  22. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  23. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  24. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  25. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  26. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  27. The shoes are swapped back
  28. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  29. The alarm button brings help
  30. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  31. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  32. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  33. Everyone sings along with her
  34. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  35. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  36. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  37. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  38. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  39. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  40. A rubber slipper plugs the crack

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