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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 85 · 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. 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.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  3. 3.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  4. 4.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  5. 5.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  7. 7.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  8. 8.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 puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  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.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  17. 17.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The window is opened to let it out
  18. 18.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The alarm button brings help
  20. 20.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
  21. 21.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The alarm button brings help
  22. 22.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (c) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall.
  23. 23.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) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  25. 25.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.
  26. 26.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 earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The window is opened to let it out
  27. 27.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  28. 28.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) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (b) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. 30.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  31. 31.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  32. 32.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) The window is opened to let it out
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  36. 36.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  37. 37.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) Everyone sings along with her (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  39. 39.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
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers

Answer key

  1. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  2. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  3. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  4. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  5. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  6. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  7. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  8. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  9. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  10. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  11. The box is found under the last seat
  12. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  13. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  14. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  15. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  16. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  17. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  18. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  19. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  20. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  21. The alarm button brings help
  22. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  23. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  24. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  25. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  26. The window is opened to let it out
  27. The shoes are swapped back
  28. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  29. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  30. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  31. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  32. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  33. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  34. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  35. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  36. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  37. The torn page is mended with tape
  38. A board held up blocks the wind
  39. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  40. Everyone sings along with her

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