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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 805 · 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 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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  4. 4.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) Everyone sings along with her
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  6. 6.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.
  7. 7.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Homework is left at home
  8. 8.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 wrong name is written on a cake (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
  10. 10.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 kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  11. 11.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  12. 12.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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
  13. 13.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  15. 15.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (b) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  16. 16.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  17. 17.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
  18. 18.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 board held up blocks the wind (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  19. 19.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) Everyone sings along with her
  20. 20.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  23. 23.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  24. 24.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  26. 26.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  27. 27.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) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.
  28. 28.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  31. 31.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  32. 32.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  34. 34.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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  35. 35.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) She sings loudly without a microphone
  36. 36.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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (b) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  37. 37.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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
  38. 38.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) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Everyone sings along with her

Answer key

  1. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  2. The shoes are swapped back
  3. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  4. Everyone sings along with her
  5. The torn page is mended with tape
  6. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  7. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  8. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  9. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  10. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  11. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  12. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  13. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  14. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  15. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  16. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  17. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  18. The window is opened to let it out
  19. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  20. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  21. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  22. She sings loudly without a microphone
  23. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  24. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  25. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  26. The box is found under the last seat
  27. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  28. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  29. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  30. They put on the spare tyre together
  31. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  32. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  33. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  34. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  35. A board held up blocks the wind
  36. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  37. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  38. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  39. They put on the spare tyre together
  40. A rubber slipper plugs the crack

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