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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 808 · 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?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  2. 2.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 new girl has no friends at lunch (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  3. 3.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A boat starts to leak
  4. 4.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (b) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  5. 5.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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  6. 6.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
  7. 7.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  8. 8.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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
  9. 9.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
  10. 10.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  11. 11.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  13. 13.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  15. 15.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The shoes are swapped back
  16. 16.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  17. 17.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  18. 18.Read the story. How is the problem 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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  19. 19.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  21. 21.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  22. 22.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 tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  23. 23.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
  24. 24.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (c) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  25. 25.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  26. 26.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  27. 27.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
  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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  30. 30.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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  31. 31.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) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  32. 32.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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  34. 34.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The alarm button brings help
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  36. 36.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  38. 38.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Homework is left at home
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  40. 40.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out

Answer key

  1. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  2. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  3. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  4. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  5. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  6. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  7. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  8. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  9. The shoes are swapped back
  10. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  11. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  12. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  13. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  14. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  15. The box is found under the last seat
  16. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  17. The glasses are found on top of his head
  18. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  19. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  20. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  21. The box is found under the last seat
  22. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  23. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  24. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  25. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  26. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  27. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  28. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  29. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  30. It is built higher up with a moat
  31. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  32. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  33. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  34. The alarm button brings help
  35. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  36. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  37. The glasses are found on top of his head
  38. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  39. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  40. She sings loudly without a microphone

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