Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 842 · 40 questions

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.

1. 1.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) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
2. 2.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (b) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
4. 4.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
5. 5.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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
6. 6.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) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (b) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
7. 7.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
8. 8.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away” (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The box is found under the last seat
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
11. 11.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
12. 12.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
13. 13.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
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
15. 15.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) It is built higher up with a moat
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
19. 19.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
20. 20.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
22. 22.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
24. 24.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
25. 25.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
26. 26.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
27. 27.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.
28. 28.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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (b) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (c) Her train was three hours late.
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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
30. 30.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.
31. 31.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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner” (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
34. 34.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
35. 35.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
36. 36.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (b) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) They put on the spare tyre together
38. 38.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
39. 39.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
40. 40.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.

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