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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 944 · 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. 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 board held up blocks the wind (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
  2. 2.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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  3. 3.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) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (b) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  4. 4.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  5. 5.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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
  6. 6.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) The shoes are swapped back
  8. 8.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  9. 9.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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  10. 10.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  12. 12.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  13. 13.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 alarm button brings help (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  14. 14.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) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (b) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
  15. 15.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. (b) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
  16. 16.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  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) The alarm button brings help (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  19. 19.Read the story. How is the problem 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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
  20. 20.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  21. 21.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A bean seed does not sprout”
    (a) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  23. 23.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
  24. 24.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) It is built higher up with a moat (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  25. 25.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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (b) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (c) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  28. 28.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) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  29. 29.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.
  30. 30.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (b) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  31. 31.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
  32. 32.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  34. 34.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) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The microphone stops working before her song
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  36. 36.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.
  37. 37.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bean seed does not sprout
  38. 38.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.

Answer key

  1. The window is opened to let it out
  2. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  3. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  4. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  5. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  6. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  7. The shoes are swapped back
  8. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  9. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  10. The glasses are found on top of his head
  11. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  12. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  13. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  14. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine.
  15. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
  16. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  17. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  18. The alarm button brings help
  19. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  20. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  21. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  22. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  23. The shoes are swapped back
  24. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  25. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  26. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  27. It is built higher up with a moat
  28. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  29. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month.
  30. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  31. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  32. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  33. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  34. She sings loudly without a microphone
  35. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  36. He found it by a stream and gently led it back.
  37. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  38. The torn page is mended with tape
  39. A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  40. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.

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