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Problem-Solution Text - Printable English Worksheets year 4 - Wayground

Problem-Solution Text

10 questions

4th - 4th Grade

English

This Grade 4 English worksheet helps students distinguish between a problem and its solution in everyday situations and short narrative passages. Across 10 multiple-choice questions, students define each term, identify the problem or solution in passages about finding food, treating an injury, keeping a dog safe, and improving free throws, and infer a possible problem from a stated solution or choose an appropriate solution to a problem. The worksheet supports reading comprehension by asking students to separate the central trouble from related events, actions, and outcomes. It is useful for introducing problem-solution text structure, checking students’ understanding after instruction, or providing independent practice. This free printable worksheet includes a complete answer key for efficient review and grading.

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Problem-Solution Text

Total questions: 10

Name
Class
Date
1.
A solution is
a)
an event or situation that causes trouble
b)
something used to fix or resolve trouble
2.
A problem is
a)
an event or something that causes trouble
b)
the way to fix trouble
3.
Hank came home from school and he was hungry.  He decided to see if there was anything in the cupboard to eat. He checked the shelf and couldn't find any chips or crackers.  He looked in another cupboard and there weren't any snack there either.  Finally he looked in the frig and there he found some apples to eat.
What is the solution?
a)
Hank found apples to eat.
b)
Hank likes chips.
c)
Hank looked for snacks.
4.
Stacey had a lot of fun riding her bike one sunny afternoon.  She was just about home when she hit a patch of loose gravel.  Stacey skidded and then tipped over on her bike, scraping her knee. After cleaning the scrape, Stacey put a bandage on her knee.
What is the problem?
a)
She hit a patch of loose gravel.
b)
She had a lot of fun.
c)
She scraped her knee.
5.
Here is a solution. What could be the problem?
   Ted used glue on his skateboard.
a)
Ted can't ride a skateboard well.
b)
Ted fell and broke his glasses.
c)
Ted snapped a wheel off his board.
d)
Ted is clumsy and scratched his board on the sidewalk.
6.
Which of the following is an example of a  good solution for this problem?
    Nobody in class likes Paul.
a)
Paul should keep calling his classmates names.
b)
Paul should tell everyone to go away.
c)
Paul should move classes.
d)
Paul should be nicer to his classmates.
7.

On Friday afternoon, the doorbell rang. Ricky ran to the front door to see if his package arrived. He was so excited that he threw open the door. He didn’t even think about his dog, Shadow. Shadow darted out the door. He was down the street in a blink of the eye. Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog as it sprinted past him. The mailman chased after Shadow, grabbed his collar, and walked him back to Ricky. Phew, that was close.


What is the problem in the passage?

a)

Ricky wanted his package.

b)

The mailman chased Shadow.

c)

Shadow got out of the house.

d)

The mailman gave Shadow back to Ricky.

8.

On Friday afternoon, the doorbell rang. Ricky ran to the front door to see if his package arrived. He was so excited that he threw open the door. He didn’t even think about his dog, Shadow. Shadow darted out the door. He was down the street in a blink of the eye. Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog as it sprinted past him. The mailman chased after Shadow, grabbed his collar, and walked him back to Ricky. Phew, that was close.


What is the solution in the passage?

a)

The doorbell rang.

b)

Ricky got his package.

c)

Shadow darted out the door.

d)

The mailman chased after Shadow, grabbed him, and gave him back to Ricky.

9.

Garrett and Jeffrey took turns at the hoop practicing their free throws. Usually Garrett sunk his free throw shots with no trouble, but something was off today. He had not made a single shot. Jeffrey was on fire, though! He made every single free throw shot from the line. Coach McElroy noticed and came to talk to Garrett. “If you adjust your feet,” he said, “your shot will go straight.” To Garrett’s surprise, he made the rest of his free throws!


What is the problem in this passage?

a)

Garrett wasn't making any free throws at practice.

b)

Jeffrey wasn't making any free throws at practice.

c)

Coach had to talk to Garrett.

d)

Garrett usually sunk his free throw shots with no trouble.

10.

Garrett and Jeffrey took turns at the hoop practicing their free throws. Usually Garrett sunk his free throw shots with no trouble, but something was off today. He had not made a single shot. Jeffrey was on fire, though! He made every single free throw shot from the line. Coach McElroy noticed and came to talk to Garrett. “If you adjust your feet,” he said, “your shot will go straight.” To Garrett’s surprise, he made the rest of his free throws!


What is the solution in this passage?

a)

Jeffrey showed Garrett how to make free throws.

b)

Coach told Garrett to adjust his feet to make his shot go straight.

c)

Garrett was surprised that he made the rest of his free throws.

d)

Garrett and Jeffrey took turns at the hoop.

Answer Key

Problem-Solution Text

Total questions: 10

1.
b) something used to fix or resolve trouble
2.
a) an event or something that causes trouble
3.
a) Hank found apples to eat.
4.
c) She scraped her knee.
5.
c) Ted snapped a wheel off his board.
6.
d) Paul should be nicer to his classmates.
7.
c)

Shadow got out of the house.

8.
d)

The mailman chased after Shadow, grabbed him, and gave him back to Ricky.

9.
a)

Garrett wasn't making any free throws at practice.

10.
b)

Coach told Garrett to adjust his feet to make his shot go straight.

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FAQs

What does this problem-solution worksheet help Grade 4 students practice?

This 10-question multiple-choice worksheet teaches students to distinguish a problem—the trouble or difficulty—from a solution—the action that fixes or resolves it. Students apply those definitions to short scenarios and passages, such as identifying that Shadow getting out is the problem and that the mailman returning him is the solution.

How can I use this worksheet to teach problem and solution?

Begin by modeling the difference between the problem and solution using one of the worksheet’s short scenarios, such as the missing snacks and the apples Hank finds. Then have students identify signal details in the passages, explain why an event is the central trouble or fix, and complete the multiple-choice items independently before discussing their choices.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this worksheet?

Students may choose a related event or detail instead of the central problem or solution—for example, selecting that the doorbell rang rather than that Shadow got out of the house. They may also confuse the attempt to solve a problem with the successful solution, such as choosing that Ricky looked for his dog instead of identifying the mailman’s action of catching and returning Shadow.

How do I assign and grade this problem-solution worksheet?

You can use this worksheet as a printable PDF or assign it as a digital quiz on Wayground, and the complete answer key supports quick scoring in either format. For printable submissions, scan student work with the Wayground for Teachers app to grade responses efficiently.

How can I differentiate this problem-solution worksheet for my students?

In the worksheet’s Advanced Settings, adjust font spacing or choose a larger font size to make the short passages and answer choices easier to read. You can also enable a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when those options support access to the problem-and-solution questions.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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