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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 953 · 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 butterfly is trapped at a window (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  3. 3.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  4. 4.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  5. 5.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  6. 6.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 baby bird is put back in the nest
  7. 7.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 box is found under the last seat
  8. 8.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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (b) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (c) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  9. 9.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
  10. 10.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  12. 12.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) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The alarm button brings help
  14. 14.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) They turned the big blue splash into a lake. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  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) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  17. 17.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.
  18. 18.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) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (c) He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  19. 19.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  20. 20.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) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  21. 21.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) A marble rolls into a deep drain (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  22. 22.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.
  23. 23.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.
  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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  25. 25.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  26. 26.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) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  27. 27.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) A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
  28. 28.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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (b) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  29. 29.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The box is found under the last seat
  30. 30.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
  31. 31.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The lights go out and her little brother cries”
    (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  32. 32.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  33. 33.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 window is opened to let it out (b) The lights go out and her little brother cries (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  34. 34.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  35. 35.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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  36. 36.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.
  37. 37.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.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd”
    (a) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  39. 39.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) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time

Answer key

  1. The window is opened to let it out
  2. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  3. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  4. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  5. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  6. The torn page is mended with tape
  7. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  8. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  9. The alarm button brings help
  10. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  11. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  12. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  13. The alarm button brings help
  14. They turned the big blue splash into a lake.
  15. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  16. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  17. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  18. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out.
  19. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk.
  20. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  21. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  22. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
  23. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  24. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  25. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  26. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  27. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner.
  28. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her.
  29. The box is found under the last seat
  30. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  31. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  32. They put on the spare tyre together
  33. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  34. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  35. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  36. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  37. The earring was shining beside the flower stand.
  38. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  39. The glasses are found on top of his head
  40. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak

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