← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 814 · 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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. 3.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  4. 4.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The microphone stops working before her song
  5. 5.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) The window is opened to let it out
  6. 6.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  7. 7.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) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  8. 8.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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  9. 9.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) Homework is left at home (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  10. 10.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) The village well has dried up (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  11. 11.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  13. 13.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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  15. 15.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  16. 16.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) A boat starts to leak
  17. 17.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) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  20. 20.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.
  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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  23. 23.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.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  27. 27.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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (b) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) Her train was three hours late.
  28. 28.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
  29. 29.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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  31. 31.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The box is found under the last seat
  34. 34.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  36. 36.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  37. 37.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  39. 39.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The box is found under the last seat

Answer key

  1. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  2. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  4. She sings loudly without a microphone
  5. The window is opened to let it out
  6. The torn page is mended with tape
  7. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  8. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  9. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  10. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  11. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  12. The torn page is mended with tape
  13. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  14. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  15. A board held up blocks the wind
  16. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  17. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  18. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  19. The shoes are swapped back
  20. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  21. Everyone sings along with her
  22. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  23. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  24. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  25. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  26. Everyone sings along with her
  27. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  28. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  29. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  30. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  31. It is built higher up with a moat
  32. The box is found under the last seat
  33. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  34. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  35. A board held up blocks the wind
  36. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  37. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  38. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  39. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  40. The blue splash is turned into a lake

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids