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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 83 · 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 seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  2. 2.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  3. 3.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A train is three hours late
  4. 4.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  5. 5.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. 6.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A snake is curled up in a shed (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  8. 8.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 snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  9. 9.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  10. 10.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  11. 11.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) The window is opened to let it out
  12. 12.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  13. 13.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) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  14. 14.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  15. 15.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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  17. 17.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  20. 20.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  21. 21.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
  22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  23. 23.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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  25. 25.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  26. 26.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  28. 28.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  33. 33.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  34. 34.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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  40. 40.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead

Answer key

  1. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  2. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  3. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  4. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  5. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  6. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  7. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  8. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  9. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  10. It is built higher up with a moat
  11. The box is found under the last seat
  12. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  13. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  14. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  15. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  16. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  17. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  19. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  20. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  21. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  22. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  23. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  24. The torn page is mended with tape
  25. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  26. The glasses are found on top of his head
  27. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  28. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  29. The alarm button brings help
  30. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  31. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  32. Everyone sings along with her
  33. Everyone sings along with her
  34. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  35. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  36. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  37. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  38. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  39. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  40. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead

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