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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 807 · 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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (b) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room.
  3. 3.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya.
    (a) The microphone stops working before her song (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  5. 5.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya.
    (a) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  7. 7.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  8. 8.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A hard word makes her mind go blank (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  10. 10.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) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
  11. 11.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) The torn page is mended with tape
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) The box is found under the last seat
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  14. 14.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) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  15. 15.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  16. 16.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  17. 17.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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  18. 18.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  19. 19.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
  20. 20.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) They put on the spare tyre together (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  21. 21.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  24. 24.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  26. 26.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 found that he had left his homework at home. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  29. 29.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) Everyone sings along with her
  30. 30.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.
  31. 31.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) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (b) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  32. 32.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
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The shoes are swapped back
  34. 34.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  36. 36.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  38. 38.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
  39. 39.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  40. 40.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach

Answer key

  1. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  2. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  3. She sings loudly without a microphone
  4. A board held up blocks the wind
  5. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  6. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  7. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  8. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  9. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  10. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  11. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  12. The box is found under the last seat
  13. The alarm button brings help
  14. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  15. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  16. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  17. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  18. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  19. The alarm button brings help
  20. They put on the spare tyre together
  21. Everyone sings along with her
  22. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  23. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  24. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  25. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  26. They put on the spare tyre together
  27. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  28. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  29. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  31. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  32. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  34. It is built higher up with a moat
  35. The torn page is mended with tape
  36. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  37. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  38. The box is found under the last seat
  39. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  40. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner

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