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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 821 · 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. 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 butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 was shining beside the flower stand. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
  3. 3.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.
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  9. 9.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  10. 10.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  11. 11.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 rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  14. 14.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
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  16. 16.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  18. 18.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  19. 19.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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
  20. 20.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  21. 21.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 car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  22. 22.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
  23. 23.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  25. 25.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
  26. 26.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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
  27. 27.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The village well has dried up
  28. 28.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!
  29. 29.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  31. 31.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  32. 32.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  33. 33.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  35. 35.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.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  38. 38.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The alarm button brings help
  40. 40.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out

Answer key

  1. The window is opened to let it out
  2. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  3. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  4. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  5. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  6. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  7. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  8. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  9. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  10. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  11. Everyone sings along with her
  12. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  13. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  14. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  15. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  16. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  17. She sings loudly without a microphone
  18. The glasses are found on top of his head
  19. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  20. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  21. They put on the spare tyre together
  22. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  23. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  24. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  25. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  26. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  27. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  28. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  29. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  30. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  31. The shoes are swapped back
  32. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  33. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  34. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  35. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  36. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  37. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  38. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  39. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  40. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out

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