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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 784 · 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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  2. 2.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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (b) Her train was three hours late. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  3. 3.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  4. 4.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  5. 5.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  6. 6.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  9. 9.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The shoes are swapped back
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  13. 13.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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  14. 14.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  16. 16.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 kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  18. 18.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!
  19. 19.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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  20. 20.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  21. 21.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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  22. 22.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. (c) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school.
  23. 23.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (b) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  25. 25.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
  26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  28. 28.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  29. 29.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.
  30. 30.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  31. 31.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A train is three hours late
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  33. 33.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  34. 34.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
  35. 35.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.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  37. 37.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  38. 38.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
  39. 39.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest

Answer key

  1. The box is found under the last seat
  2. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  3. Everyone sings along with her
  4. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  5. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  6. The glasses are found on top of his head
  7. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  8. The window is opened to let it out
  9. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  10. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  11. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  12. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  13. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  14. A board held up blocks the wind
  15. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  16. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  17. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  18. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  19. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  20. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  21. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  22. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  23. The box is found under the last seat
  24. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  25. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  26. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  27. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  28. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  29. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  30. They put on the spare tyre together
  31. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  32. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  33. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  34. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  35. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  36. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  37. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  38. The alarm button brings help
  39. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  40. The baby bird is put back in the nest

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