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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 863 · 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?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  2. 2.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  3. 3.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  4. 4.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) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  8. 8.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  9. 9.Read the story. How is the problem 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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  11. 11.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The shoes are swapped back
  12. 12.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  15. 15.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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed.
  16. 16.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 new girl has no friends at lunch (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  18. 18.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
  19. 19.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  20. 20.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  21. 21.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  23. 23.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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (b) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried.
  24. 24.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  25. 25.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Everyone sings along with her
  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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  27. 27.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
  28. 28.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  29. 29.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  32. 32.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A boat starts to leak
  33. 33.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 pond is dug to catch the rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  34. 34.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  37. 37.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  39. 39.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Homework is left at home
  40. 40.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform

Answer key

  1. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  2. She sings loudly without a microphone
  3. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  4. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  5. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  6. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  7. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  8. They put on the spare tyre together
  9. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  10. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  11. The shoes are swapped back
  12. The box is found under the last seat
  13. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  14. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  15. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  16. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  17. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  18. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  19. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  20. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  21. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  22. The alarm button brings help
  23. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  24. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  25. Everyone sings along with her
  26. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  27. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  28. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  29. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  30. They put on the spare tyre together
  31. She sings loudly without a microphone
  32. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  33. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  34. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  35. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  36. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  37. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  38. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  39. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  40. He changes into a clean spare uniform

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