← The solution in a story lesson New set →

Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 997 · 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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  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) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  2. 2.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) She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. (b) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (c) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
  3. 3.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Wind blows away the rangoli powder”
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) A board held up blocks the wind
  4. 4.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Waves keep washing the sandcastle away”
    (a) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  6. 6.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
  8. 8.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.
  9. 9.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) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
  10. 10.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) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
  11. 11.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A butterfly is trapped at a window”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  12. 12.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) A hard word makes her mind go blank
  13. 13.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.
  14. 14.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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  15. 15.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  16. 16.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees”
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) The shoes are swapped back
  17. 17.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.
  18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The wrong name is written on a cake”
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) The baker fixes one letter in icing (c) The window is opened to let it out
  19. 19.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) It is built higher up with a moat (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked”
    (a) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  21. 21.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  22. 22.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) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (b) Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. (c) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair.
  23. 23.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) His name is called on the loudspeaker
  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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  25. 25.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  26. 26.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A train is three hours late”
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) Solving puzzles together passes the time (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  27. 27.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (b) Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step.
  28. 28.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The alarm button brings help
  29. 29.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) The alarm button brings help (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy
  30. 30.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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) Everyone sings along with her
  31. 31.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  32. 32.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 baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
  33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem 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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) The torn page is mended with tape
  34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The village well has dried up”
    (a) A pond is dug to catch the rain (b) The earring is found beside a flower stand (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  35. 35.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.
  36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is 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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “She is too shy to sing in front of others”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  38. 38.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
  39. 39.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The window is opened to let it out (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  40. 40.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mud splashes all over a white uniform”
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A farmer shows how to put the chain back

Answer key

  1. The window is opened to let it out
  2. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone.
  3. A board held up blocks the wind
  4. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  5. It is built higher up with a moat
  6. A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  7. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform.
  8. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her.
  9. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  10. The shoes are swapped back
  11. The window is opened to let it out
  12. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  13. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day.
  14. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  15. A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  16. Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
  17. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  18. The baker fixes one letter in icing
  19. It is built higher up with a moat
  20. A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  21. She sings loudly without a microphone
  22. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker.
  23. The torn page is mended with tape
  24. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  25. The glasses are found on top of his head
  26. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  27. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind.
  28. A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
  29. The alarm button brings help
  30. Everyone sings along with her
  31. A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  32. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  33. A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
  34. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  35. Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
  36. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  37. Everyone sings along with her
  38. The glasses are found on top of his head
  39. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  40. He changes into a clean spare uniform

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids