Problem/Solution

I am learning how

to identify the
problem and
solution in a

nonfiction text.

What am I learning?

I am learning this

in order to be a

better reader who
understands what I

read.

Why am I learning

this?

I can identify the

problem and
solution signal
words and also
find the problem
and solution in a
nonfiction text.

How will I know I
have learned it?

Learning Intentions

Require a

license

to buy spray

paint.

Problem and Solution

A problem is presented and answer is suggested.

Problem

Solution

Property is

being

spray painted.

Sometimes it takes a few attempts to solve the problem before the

ultimate solution is found.

Problem and Solution

Ask yourself:
1. What is the problem?
2. Who has the problem?
3. Why is it a problem?
4. What is causing the problem?
5. What solutions have been suggested or tried?
6. What are the pros and cons of various solutions?
7. Which solutions worked or seem to have the best

chance for solving the problem?

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Problem Words:
▪ Problem
▪ Need
▪ Difficulty
▪ As a result of
▪ Challenge
▪ Issue

Solution Words:
• In order to
•To improve
• Prevent
• Help
• Solution
• Resolve
• Solve
• Suggest
• Answer

Categorize

Options (16)

difficulty

problem

need

as a result of

challenge

issue

in order to

to improve

to prevent

help

solution

suggest

answer

option15

category 1

Category 2

Organize these words and phrases into their correct category.

category 2

Solution

Problem

category 1

One difficulty for several students is that they receive
poor grades on writing assignments because they cannot
seem to manage their time when it comes to a large
project. They do not know where to begin, and as a result,
put things off until the last minute. To solve this problem,
students need to develop a timeline for completing the
project. If they divide the assignment into manageable
“chunks” or parts and then set a schedule for completing
each part, they will improve on their ability to finish the
entire project before the deadline.

Practice 1- Find the problem/ solution signal words:

Labelling

Label the problem and solution keywords.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

solution

Problem

problem

solution

solution

Onedifficulty for several students is that they receive
poor grades on writing assignments because they can
not seem to manage their time when it comes to a large
project. They do not know where to begin, and as a
resultput things off until the last minute. To solve this
problem, students need to develop a timeline for
completing the project. If they divide the assignment into
manageable “chunks” or parts and then set a schedule
for completing each part, they will improve on their ability
to finish the entire project before the deadline.

Find the signal words:

Hotspot

What is the problem? Draw a square around the problem.

Multiple Choice

What is the problem in the paragraph on the last?

• One difficulty for several students is that they receive poor grades on writing assignments because they cannot seem to manage their time when it comes to a large project.

• Students need to develop a timeline for complete projects.

• Writing is easy for most students.

• There is no problem

Hotspot

What is the solution? Draw a square around the solution.

Practice 2- Find the problem/ solution signal words:

Astronauts face many difficulties in space caused by weightlessness.
One of the challenges is floating around the cabin. To solve this problem,
astronauts wear shoes that are coated with a special adhesive. This
adhesive sticks to the floor of the cabin. Serving food is another difficulty.
It won’t stay on the table! Experts solved this problem by putting food and
drinks in pouches and tubes. Food is preprocessed and only needs to be
mixed with water. Weightlessness makes the simple task of turning a
doorknob or a wrench a real problem. Since there is no gravity to keep
the astronaut down, when he exerts a force one way, the opposite force
may flip him over completely. Being very careful about how much force
one exerts to do these simple tasks usually solves these problems. On
earth, life is much simpler, thanks to gravity.

Hotspot

Find the two problem keywords.

Hotspot

Find the first solution keyword.

Hotspot

Circle the first problem and the solution to that problem

Practice 3- Find the problem/ solution signal
words:

Brown marmorated stink bugs have

caused many problems since they were
accidentally introduced to North America.
They damage fruit, bother people, and
harm crops. Scientists are trying to find a
solution. One promising possibility is a
species of wasp that originally comes from
Asia. This wasp is a predator of stink bugs.
Scientists hope that this wasp could solve
the stink bug problem.

Practice 3- Find the problem/ solution signal
words:

Brown marmorated stink bugs have

caused many problems since they were
accidentally introduced to North America.
They damage fruit, bother people, and harm
crops. Scientists are trying to find a solution.
One promising possibility is a species of
wasp that originally comes from Asia. This
wasp is a predator of stink bugs. Scientists
hope that this wasp could solve the stink
bug problem.

Practice 3- What is/are the problem(s) in this

paragraph?

Brown marmorated stink bugs have

caused many problems since they were
accidentally introduced to North America.
They damage fruit, bother people, and
harm crops. Scientists are trying to find a
solution. One promising possibility is a
species of wasp that originally comes
from Asia. This wasp is a predator of stink
bugs. Scientists hope that this wasp
could solve the stink bug problem.

Practice 3- What is/are the problem(s) in this

paragraph?

Brown marmorated stink bugs have caused

many problems since they were accidentally
introduced to North America. They damage fruit,
bother people, and harm crops. Scientists are
trying to find a solution. One promising
possibility is a species of wasp that originally
comes from Asia. This wasp is a predator of
stink bugs. Scientists hope that this wasp could
solve the stink bug problem.

Practice 3- What is/are the solution(s) in this
paragraph?

Brown marmorated stink bugs have

caused many problems since they were
accidentally introduced to North America.
They damage fruit, bother people, and
harm crops. Scientists are trying to find a
solution. One promising possibility is a
species of wasp that originally comes from
Asia. This wasp is a predator of stink bugs.
Scientists hope that this wasp could solve
the stink bug problem.

Practice 3- What is/are the solution(s) in this
paragraph?

Brown marmorated stink bugs have

caused many problems since they were
accidentally introduced to North America.
They damage fruit, bother people, and
harm crops. Scientists are trying to find a
solution. One promising possibility is a
species of wasp that originally comes from
Asia. This wasp is a predator of stink bugs.
Scientists hope that this wasp could solve
the stink bug problem.

Malaria Nets Make a Big Difference

In some countries around the world, a disease called malaria can make people

very sick. The disease doesn't occur in the United States, but it is common in
countries around the globe. The disease is carried in mosquitoes. When they bite
people, they can transmit the malaria virus, and people get sick. Mosquitoes often
bite at night when people are sleeping. One way this problem has been successfully
addressed is through the use of nets. The thin lightweight nets look like tents, and
people sleep inside them. These nets keep mosquitoes away, so they can't bite
people and make them sick.

Which of the underlined signal words or phrases is NOT a problem and
solution signal word?

common

Malaria Nets Make a Big Difference

In some countries around the world, a disease called malaria can make people

very sick. The disease doesn't occur in the United States, but it is common in
countries around the globe. The disease is carried in mosquitoes. When they bite
people, they can transmit the malaria virus, and people get sick. Mosquitoes often
bite at night when people are sleeping. One way this problem has been successfully
addressed is through the use of nets. The thin lightweight nets look like tents, and
people sleep inside them. These nets keep mosquitoes away, so they can't bite
people and make them sick.

What problem is described in this passage?

Malaria is making people sick

Malaria Nets Make a Big Difference

In some countries around the world, a disease called malaria can make people

very sick. The disease doesn't occur in the United States, but it is common in
countries around the globe. The disease is carried in mosquitoes. When they bite
people, they can transmit the malaria virus, and people get sick. Mosquitoes often
bite at night when people are sleeping. One way this problem has been successfully
addressed is through the use of nets. The thin lightweight nets look like tents, and
people sleep inside them. These nets keep mosquitoes away, so they can't bite
people and make them sick.

How is it solved?

Using nets to keep mosquitoes away.

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Problem Words:

▪ Problem

▪ Need

▪ Difficulty

▪ As a result of

▪ Challenge

▪ Issue

Solution Words:
• In order to
•To improve
• Prevent
• Help
• Solution
• Resolve
• Solve
• Suggest
• Answer

Using any of the
problems and solutions
we have discussed so
far or another one you
can think of, can you
create a problem and
solution statement
using the signal words?

Problem/Solution Text
Structure

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Problem/Solution
Text Structure

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Open Ended

What is the solution to the problem listed?

Problem/Solution
Text Structure
ANSWERS

Michael started
baking cupcakes
and started a
business

Problem/Solution Text Structure

Problem

Solution

Problem/Solution
Text Structure

Problem

Solution

Michael realized that
The homeless
population needed food

Michael doesn’t
listen to them

To Do List

● Review

○ Read

○ Missing work

Finish theProblem Solution Quizizz. .

Problem/Solution Text Structure

What is the main
problem?

What is the
solution?