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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 781 · 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 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) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  2. 2.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.
  3. 3.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.
  4. 4.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  7. 7.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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  9. 9.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  10. 10.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem 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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) Everyone sings along with her
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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.
  14. 14.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.
  15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  16. 16.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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
  17. 17.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 lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  18. 18.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  19. 19.Read the story. How is the problem 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 wanders away from the herd (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  20. 20.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) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (b) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  24. 24.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  27. 27.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  29. 29.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. 30.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  31. 31.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 is curled up in a shed (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  32. 32.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  33. 33.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  34. 34.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The alarm button brings help
  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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The shoes are swapped back
  36. 36.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  37. 37.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Homework is left at home
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The window is opened to let it out
  39. 39.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back

Answer key

  1. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  2. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  3. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  4. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  5. She sings loudly without a microphone
  6. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  7. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  8. Everyone sings along with her
  9. A board held up blocks the wind
  10. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  11. They put on the spare tyre together
  12. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  13. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  14. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  15. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  16. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  17. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  18. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  19. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  20. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  21. The box is found under the last seat
  22. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  23. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  24. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  25. The glasses are found on top of his head
  26. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  27. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  28. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  29. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  30. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  31. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  32. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  33. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  34. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  35. The shoes are swapped back
  36. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  37. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  38. The window is opened to let it out
  39. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  40. The blue splash is turned into a lake

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