Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 869 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
3. 3.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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
4. 4.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
5. 5.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Homework is left at home
6. 6.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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
8. 8.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.
9. 9.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kite gets stuck high up in a tree” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
12. 12.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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
13. 13.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
15. 15.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform” (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
17. 17.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) A bean seed does not sprout (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
19. 19.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
20. 20.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond” (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
22. 22.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
23. 23.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
24. 24.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 snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
25. 25.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A snake is curled up in a shed” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
27. 27.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.
28. 28.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) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (b) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
29. 29.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries” (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
30. 30.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A board held up blocks the wind
32. 32.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
33. 33.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
34. 34.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
35. 35.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
36. 36.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) A long snake was curled up near the door. (b) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (c) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
37. 37.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 alarm button brings help (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The microphone stops working before her song
38. 38.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.
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank” (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
40. 40.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.

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