Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 97 · 40 questions

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.

1. 1.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill” (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
3. 3.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 new girl has no friends at lunch (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
4. 4.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
5. 5.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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
6. 6.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) The box is found under the last seat (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
7. 7.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time” (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
   “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses” (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
10. 10.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out.
11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window” (a) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
12. 12.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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
13. 13.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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
14. 14.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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem 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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
16. 16.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
18. 18.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) The microphone stops working before her song (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The torn page is mended with tape
19. 19.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A lift stops between two floors” (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) The torn page is mended with tape
20. 20.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) The shoes are swapped back
21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “An aunt loses a gold earring” (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “His running shoes are the wrong size” (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
24. 24.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) The earring was shining beside the flower stand. (b) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (c) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
25. 25.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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
26. 26.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.
27. 27.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd” (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
28. 28.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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (c) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school.
29. 29.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.
30. 30.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) The window is opened to let it out
31. 31.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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boat starts to leak” (a) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
33. 33.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
34. 34.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.
35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home” (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
36. 36.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
37. 37.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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (b) Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. (c) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried.
38. 38.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) The alarm button brings help (c) A train is three hours late
39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
40. 40.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.

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