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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 864 · 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?
    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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
  2. 2.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) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
  3. 3.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. Aditi did not give up and started all over again. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street.
    (a) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  4. 4.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) A marble rolls into a deep drain (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  5. 5.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 window is opened to let it out (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  6. 6.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) The microphone stops working before her song
  7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
  8. 8.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 rescuer carries it away safely (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The alarm button brings help (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  10. 10.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  12. 12.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  14. 14.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) A puppy cannot find its owner (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  15. 15.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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  16. 16.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  17. 17.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.
  18. 18.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
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  21. 21.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  22. 22.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  23. 23.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  25. 25.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  28. 28.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 board held up blocks the wind (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. 29.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 sings loudly without a microphone (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  30. 30.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) The alarm button brings help (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The box is found under the last seat (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) The shoes are swapped back
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  34. 34.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom.
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  36. 36.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  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) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  38. 38.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Homework is left at home
  40. 40.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.

Answer key

  1. It is built higher up with a moat
  2. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  3. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  4. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  5. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  6. She sings loudly without a microphone
  7. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  8. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  9. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  10. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  11. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  12. The glasses are found on top of his head
  13. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  14. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  15. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  16. The window is opened to let it out
  17. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  18. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  19. She sings loudly without a microphone
  20. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  21. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  22. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  23. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  24. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  25. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  26. Everyone sings along with her
  27. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  28. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  29. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  30. The alarm button brings help
  31. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  32. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  33. The torn page is mended with tape
  34. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  35. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  36. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  37. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  38. The torn page is mended with tape
  39. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  40. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.

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