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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 870 · 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 lift stops between two floors”
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) The alarm button brings help (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  3. 3.Read the story. How is the problem 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 board held up blocks the wind (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  4. 4.Read the story. How is the problem 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 kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The shoes are swapped back
  5. 5.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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  6. 6.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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) The box is found under the last seat
  7. 7.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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  9. 9.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) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  10. 10.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  11. 11.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The shoes are swapped back
  12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
  13. 13.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) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  14. 14.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  16. 16.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  17. 17.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  18. 18.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The alarm button brings help
  19. 19.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  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) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
  22. 22.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  23. 23.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
  25. 25.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The alarm button brings help
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  28. 28.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  29. 29.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The shoes are swapped back
  30. 30.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  31. 31.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.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 red box was hiding under the very last seat. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  34. 34.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 wrong name is written on a cake (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  35. 35.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  37. 37.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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
  38. 38.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.
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  40. 40.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely

Answer key

  1. The alarm button brings help
  2. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  3. A board held up blocks the wind
  4. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  5. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  6. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  7. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  8. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  9. Everyone sings along with her
  10. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  11. The box is found under the last seat
  12. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  13. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  14. She sings loudly without a microphone
  15. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  16. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  17. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. The alarm button brings help
  19. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  20. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  21. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  22. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  23. The glasses are found on top of his head
  24. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  25. It is built higher up with a moat
  26. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  27. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  28. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  29. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  30. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  31. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  32. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  33. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  34. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  35. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  36. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  37. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  38. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  39. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  40. A snake rescuer carries it away safely

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