← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 904 · 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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.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) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. (b) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) Her train was three hours late.
  2. 2.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  3. 3.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  4. 4.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) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
  5. 5.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  9. 9.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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A boat starts to leak
  10. 10.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  11. 11.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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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) His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. (b) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
  14. 14.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) Homework is left at home (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  18. 18.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 is curled up in a shed (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  21. 21.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  22. 22.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  23. 23.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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  25. 25.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) The village well has dried up
  26. 26.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) She was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  27. 27.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  28. 28.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  29. 29.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) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (b) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  30. 30.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  31. 31.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  33. 33.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) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  34. 34.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  35. 35.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.
  36. 36.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
  37. 37.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  40. 40.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall

Answer key

  1. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  2. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  3. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  4. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  5. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  6. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  7. A board held up blocks the wind
  8. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  9. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  10. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  11. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  12. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  13. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  14. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  15. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  16. The torn page is mended with tape
  17. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  18. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  19. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  20. The glasses are found on top of his head
  21. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  22. A board held up blocks the wind
  23. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  24. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  25. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  26. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  27. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  28. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  29. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  30. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  31. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  32. The shoes are swapped back
  33. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once.
  34. Everyone sings along with her
  35. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  36. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  37. The shoes are swapped back
  38. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  39. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  40. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids