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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 938 · 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. 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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  4. 4.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) He found it by a stream and gently led it back. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  5. 5.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.
  6. 6.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  7. 7.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  9. 9.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  11. 11.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) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (b) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The shoes are swapped back
  13. 13.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  15. 15.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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  16. 16.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  17. 17.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 pot is moved into the sunshine (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  18. 18.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.
  19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain”
    (a) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  20. 20.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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Everyone sings along with her
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  23. 23.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  25. 25.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
  26. 26.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 cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Nobody buys anything from the stall”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  28. 28.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.
  29. 29.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) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  30. 30.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.
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  32. 32.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Homework is left at home (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  35. 35.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  36. 36.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) It is built higher up with a moat
  37. 37.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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  39. 39.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 makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  40. 40.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) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out

Answer key

  1. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  2. Everyone sings along with her
  3. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  4. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  5. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  6. A board held up blocks the wind
  7. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  8. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  9. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  10. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  11. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  12. The shoes are swapped back
  13. A board held up blocks the wind
  14. She sings loudly without a microphone
  15. The glasses are found on top of his head
  16. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  17. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  18. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free.
  19. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  20. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  21. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  22. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  23. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  24. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  25. The alarm button brings help
  26. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  27. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  28. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out.
  29. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  30. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  31. The torn page is mended with tape
  32. Everyone sings along with her
  33. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  34. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  35. The torn page is mended with tape
  36. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  37. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  38. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  39. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  40. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out

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