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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 760 · 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. 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) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  3. 3.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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  4. 4.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. 6.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. Ananya stayed calm and checked every jar again. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize.
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  7. 7.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  8. 8.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
  9. 9.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The box is found under the last seat
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  11. 11.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
  12. 12.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  16. 16.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  18. 18.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  20. 20.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) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  21. 21.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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  22. 22.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) The shoes are swapped back
  23. 23.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  24. 24.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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  25. 25.Read the story. How is the problem 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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  26. 26.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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  27. 27.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
  29. 29.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) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  33. 33.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) A train is three hours late (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  34. 34.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  35. 35.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  36. 36.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) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
  37. 37.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) The alarm button brings help
  38. 38.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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead

Answer key

  1. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  2. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  3. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  4. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  5. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  7. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  8. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  9. The box is found under the last seat
  10. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  11. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  12. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  13. A board held up blocks the wind
  14. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  15. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  16. The shoes are swapped back
  17. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  18. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  19. They put on the spare tyre together
  20. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  21. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  22. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  23. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  24. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  25. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  26. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  27. It is built higher up with a moat
  28. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  29. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  30. The torn page is mended with tape
  31. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  32. She sings loudly without a microphone
  33. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  34. A board held up blocks the wind
  35. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  36. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  37. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  38. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  39. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  40. A plumber fixes the dripping tap

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