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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 887 · 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?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  2. 2.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 bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Everyone sings along with her
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) The box is found under the last seat
  4. 4.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 rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  5. 5.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) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  6. 6.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) He found that he had left his homework at home. (b) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. (c) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom.
  7. 7.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The shoes are swapped back
  10. 10.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.
  11. 11.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A train is three hours late
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tap keeps dripping and wasting water”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  13. 13.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) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
  15. 15.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) The box is found under the last seat (c) A boat starts to leak
  16. 16.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The window is opened to let it out
  18. 18.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) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  19. 19.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) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (b) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two.
  20. 20.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  21. 21.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  22. 22.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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A hard word makes her mind go blank”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  25. 25.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  26. 26.Read the story. How is the problem 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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  27. 27.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. Simran put on gloves and lifted it very gently. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. Simran smiled as the mother sparrow flew home.
    (a) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  28. 28.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) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) The old well had dried up, and people had no water.
  29. 29.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  30. 30.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. Simran put on gloves and lifted it very gently. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. Simran smiled as the mother sparrow flew home.
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. 32.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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  34. 34.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) Homework is left at home (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  36. 36.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.
  37. 37.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  39. 39.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy cannot find its owner”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest

Answer key

  1. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  2. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  3. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  4. Everyone sings along with her
  5. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  7. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  8. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  9. The shoes are swapped back
  10. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  11. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  12. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  13. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  14. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  15. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  16. They put on the spare tyre together
  17. The window is opened to let it out
  18. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  19. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  20. It is built higher up with a moat
  21. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  22. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  23. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  24. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  25. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  26. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  27. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  28. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  29. A board held up blocks the wind
  30. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  31. The glasses are found on top of his head
  32. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  33. She sings loudly without a microphone
  34. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  35. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  36. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  37. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  38. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  39. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  40. Posters help the owner find the puppy

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