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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 78 · 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?
    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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  2. 2.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) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (c) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  3. 3.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  5. 5.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The shoes are swapped back
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  7. 7.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  8. 8.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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (c) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building.
  9. 9.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.
  10. 10.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off.
  11. 11.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) A board held up blocks the wind (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  12. 12.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The window is opened to let it out
  14. 14.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  15. 15.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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Everyone sings along with her
  17. 17.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) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (b) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
  18. 18.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  19. 19.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  20. 20.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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  24. 24.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.
  25. 25.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  26. 26.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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  27. 27.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  28. 28.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.
  29. 29.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.
  30. 30.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  32. 32.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The box is found under the last seat (b) Homework is left at home (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  33. 33.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 boat starts to leak (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  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) 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.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  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) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  37. 37.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. 40.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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.

Answer key

  1. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  2. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  3. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  4. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  5. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  6. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  7. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  8. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  9. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  10. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  11. A board held up blocks the wind
  12. The window is opened to let it out
  13. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  14. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  15. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  16. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  17. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  18. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  19. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  20. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  21. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  22. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  23. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  24. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  25. The glasses are found on top of his head
  26. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  27. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  28. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  29. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  30. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  31. The torn page is mended with tape
  32. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  33. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  34. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  35. The alarm button brings help
  36. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  37. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  38. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  39. The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.

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