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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 973 · 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.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The blue splash is turned into a lake (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  3. 3.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  4. 4.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  5. 5.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 bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) Posters help the owner find the puppy (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
  6. 6.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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (b) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
  7. 7.Read the story. How is the problem 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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  8. 8.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  9. 9.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  10. 10.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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (b) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (c) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school.
  11. 11.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A kitten is stuck behind a water tank”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  13. 13.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) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
  14. 14.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  15. 15.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The cricket ball splashes into a pond”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The window is opened to let it out
  17. 17.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 carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A train is three hours late
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  19. 19.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) The puppy crept out and licked her hand. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
  20. 20.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) The village well has dried up (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. (c) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground.
  22. 22.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) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. (b) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie.
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Everyone sings along with her
  24. 24.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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) The alarm button brings help
  25. 25.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) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  26. 26.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.
  27. 27.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
  29. 29.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. 30.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  31. 31.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  32. 32.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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 old swing had cracked in two. (b) Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
  33. 33.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  34. 34.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 torn page is mended with tape (c) The window is opened to let it out
  35. 35.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) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. (b) Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. (c) A long snake was curled up near the door.
  36. 36.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A pond is dug to catch the rain (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  37. 37.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) She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. (b) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  38. 38.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  40. 40.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat

Answer key

  1. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  2. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  3. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  4. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  5. Posters help the owner find the puppy
  6. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing.
  7. It is built higher up with a moat
  8. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  9. A plumber fixes the dripping tap
  10. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch.
  11. The earring is found beside a flower stand
  12. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  13. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  14. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  15. It is built higher up with a moat
  16. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  17. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  18. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  19. The puppy crept out and licked her hand.
  20. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  21. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane.
  22. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  23. Everyone sings along with her
  24. They put on the spare tyre together
  25. A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  26. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit.
  27. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  28. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  29. He changes into a clean spare uniform
  30. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  31. She sings loudly without a microphone
  32. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope.
  33. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  34. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  35. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely.
  36. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  37. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right.
  38. A board held up blocks the wind
  39. The torn page is mended with tape
  40. He is allowed to bring it the next day

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