Reading comprehension worksheet focusing on identifying problems and solutions in short stories.
Educational worksheet: Problem solution task cards and worksheets. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
JPG
301×390
22.1 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #127220
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Problem solution task cards and worksheets
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Problem solution task cards and worksheets
Let’s go through each story one by one and find the problem and the solution.
---
Story Summary:
On Friday afternoon, a dog sees a package at the door. It barks to tell its family. The mom comes out, opens the box — it’s full of treats! She gives some to the dog. Later, the mailman drops off another big box. The dog barks again. The mom checks — it’s toys for the dog! She thanks the mailman.
What’s the problem?
The dog doesn’t know what’s in the packages — it just hears them arrive and wants to alert its family. But more importantly, the *real* problem is that the dog can’t open the boxes or get the treats/toys without help.
Actually, looking closer — the story says: “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner.” Wait — no, rereading:
> “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner and watched him bark as Kelly came out.”
Wait — actually, let’s read carefully:
> On Friday afternoon, the doorbell rang. Ruby ran to the front door and saw a flat package arrive... she barked three times to alert her family... Mom opened the box... later, the mailman dropped off another big box... Ruby barked again... Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner and watched him bark as Kelly came out.
Hmm — this seems like there might be a typo or confusion in the text. Let me re-read the whole thing slowly.
Actually, here’s the key part:
> “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner and watched him bark as Kelly came out.”
That doesn’t make sense — why would the mailman call the dog’s owner? Maybe it meant “called the homeowner” or “rang the bell”? Or perhaps it’s saying the mailman saw the dog was excited/upset and waited until someone came?
But then it says: “Ruby barked again. Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner...”
This is confusing. Let’s look at the next sentence: “and watched him bark as Kelly came out.” Who is “him”? The dog? That doesn’t fit.
Wait — maybe it’s a mistake in the worksheet. Perhaps it should say: “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was excited and rang the bell again so Kelly came out.”
But since we have to work with what’s written, let’s try to interpret logically.
Alternative interpretation: The dog is trying to get attention because packages are arriving. The problem is that the dog can’t get the packages open or get help on its own. The solution is that the mailman helps by making sure someone (Kelly) comes out to check.
But the text says: “he called his owner” — whose owner? The mailman’s owner? That doesn’t make sense.
Perhaps it’s a typo and it should be “he called the homeowner” or “he rang the doorbell”.
Given the context, I think the intended meaning is:
- Problem: Packages keep arriving, and the dog can’t get help to open them or know what’s inside.
- Solution: The mailman notices the dog is anxious/excited and makes sure someone (Kelly) comes out to handle the delivery.
So for chart purposes:
Problem: The dog keeps getting packages but can’t open them or get help without barking loudly.
Solution: The mailman notices the dog’s behavior and ensures someone comes out to receive the packages.
But let’s move to the next stories — they’re clearer.
---
Story Summary:
Garrett and Jeffery went to basketball practice. Garrett tried to throw passes but kept missing. He got mad. Coach told him to take a break. Garrett sat down, thought about how to improve. Next day, he practiced alone, focused on passing. At next practice, he did better. Coach said, “You’ve improved!” Garrett smiled.
Problem: Garrett couldn’t pass the ball well during practice and got frustrated.
Solution: He took a break, thought about how to fix it, practiced on his own, and improved by the next practice.
Clear!
---
Story Summary:
Max had great grades all year. Report cards were coming. He was nervous — what if he messed up? When report cards came, he looked — all As except math (B). He felt bad. Teacher pulled him aside, said he’d done very well overall, encouraged him to keep working hard. Max felt proud. Teacher gave him special envelope (maybe award?).
Problem: Max was worried his report card wouldn’t be perfect, especially after seeing a B in math.
Solution: His teacher reassured him, praised his effort, and made him feel proud anyway.
Also clear!
---
Now back to Story #1 — let’s simplify based on common reading comprehension patterns.
In most “Problem and Solution” worksheets, the problem is something that goes wrong or causes stress, and the solution is how it gets fixed.
For Story #1:
- Dog sees package → barks → mom opens → treats!
- Another package arrives → dog barks → mailman sees dog is upset → calls owner (?) → Kelly comes out.
Even though the wording is odd, the likely intended problem is:
Problem: The dog doesn’t know how to get help when packages arrive, and gets upset/excited.
Solution: The mailman notices and makes sure someone (Kelly) comes to handle it.
Alternatively, maybe the problem is that the dog can’t communicate clearly, and the solution is that the mailman understands the dog’s barking means “help!”
I think for school level, we’ll go with:
Problem: The dog barks every time a package arrives because it wants attention or treats, but no one always comes right away.
Solution: The mailman learns to recognize the dog’s signal and makes sure someone responds.
But to match the format simply:
Let’s write concise answers suitable for a student filling out the chart.
---
Finalizing:
- Problem: The dog barks whenever a package arrives because it wants someone to come see what’s inside, but sometimes no one comes right away.
- Solution: The mailman notices the dog is upset and makes sure someone (like Kelly) comes out to check the package.
- Problem: Garrett kept missing his passes during basketball practice and got angry.
- Solution: He took a break, thought about how to improve, practiced on his own, and did better at the next practice.
- Problem: Max was scared his report card wouldn’t be perfect, especially after seeing a B in math.
- Solution: His teacher told him he did great overall, encouraged him, and made him feel proud.
These are simple, accurate, and match what a 3rd–5th grader would write.
Final Answer:
1. Problem: The dog barks when packages arrive because it wants someone to come see what’s inside, but no one always comes right away.
Solution: The mailman notices the dog is upset and makes sure someone comes out to check the package.
2. Problem: Garrett kept missing his passes during basketball practice and got angry.
Solution: He took a break, thought about how to improve, practiced on his own, and did better at the next practice.
3. Problem: Max was scared his report card wouldn’t be perfect, especially after seeing a B in math.
Solution: His teacher told him he did great overall, encouraged him, and made him feel proud.
---
1. A Package at the Door
Story Summary:
On Friday afternoon, a dog sees a package at the door. It barks to tell its family. The mom comes out, opens the box — it’s full of treats! She gives some to the dog. Later, the mailman drops off another big box. The dog barks again. The mom checks — it’s toys for the dog! She thanks the mailman.
What’s the problem?
The dog doesn’t know what’s in the packages — it just hears them arrive and wants to alert its family. But more importantly, the *real* problem is that the dog can’t open the boxes or get the treats/toys without help.
Actually, looking closer — the story says: “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner.” Wait — no, rereading:
> “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner and watched him bark as Kelly came out.”
Wait — actually, let’s read carefully:
> On Friday afternoon, the doorbell rang. Ruby ran to the front door and saw a flat package arrive... she barked three times to alert her family... Mom opened the box... later, the mailman dropped off another big box... Ruby barked again... Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner and watched him bark as Kelly came out.
Hmm — this seems like there might be a typo or confusion in the text. Let me re-read the whole thing slowly.
Actually, here’s the key part:
> “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner and watched him bark as Kelly came out.”
That doesn’t make sense — why would the mailman call the dog’s owner? Maybe it meant “called the homeowner” or “rang the bell”? Or perhaps it’s saying the mailman saw the dog was excited/upset and waited until someone came?
But then it says: “Ruby barked again. Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was upset and he called his owner...”
This is confusing. Let’s look at the next sentence: “and watched him bark as Kelly came out.” Who is “him”? The dog? That doesn’t fit.
Wait — maybe it’s a mistake in the worksheet. Perhaps it should say: “Luckily, the mailman noticed the dog was excited and rang the bell again so Kelly came out.”
But since we have to work with what’s written, let’s try to interpret logically.
Alternative interpretation: The dog is trying to get attention because packages are arriving. The problem is that the dog can’t get the packages open or get help on its own. The solution is that the mailman helps by making sure someone (Kelly) comes out to check.
But the text says: “he called his owner” — whose owner? The mailman’s owner? That doesn’t make sense.
Perhaps it’s a typo and it should be “he called the homeowner” or “he rang the doorbell”.
Given the context, I think the intended meaning is:
- Problem: Packages keep arriving, and the dog can’t get help to open them or know what’s inside.
- Solution: The mailman notices the dog is anxious/excited and makes sure someone (Kelly) comes out to handle the delivery.
So for chart purposes:
Problem: The dog keeps getting packages but can’t open them or get help without barking loudly.
Solution: The mailman notices the dog’s behavior and ensures someone comes out to receive the packages.
But let’s move to the next stories — they’re clearer.
---
2. Basketball Practice Blues
Story Summary:
Garrett and Jeffery went to basketball practice. Garrett tried to throw passes but kept missing. He got mad. Coach told him to take a break. Garrett sat down, thought about how to improve. Next day, he practiced alone, focused on passing. At next practice, he did better. Coach said, “You’ve improved!” Garrett smiled.
Problem: Garrett couldn’t pass the ball well during practice and got frustrated.
Solution: He took a break, thought about how to fix it, practiced on his own, and improved by the next practice.
Clear!
---
3. Report Card Time
Story Summary:
Max had great grades all year. Report cards were coming. He was nervous — what if he messed up? When report cards came, he looked — all As except math (B). He felt bad. Teacher pulled him aside, said he’d done very well overall, encouraged him to keep working hard. Max felt proud. Teacher gave him special envelope (maybe award?).
Problem: Max was worried his report card wouldn’t be perfect, especially after seeing a B in math.
Solution: His teacher reassured him, praised his effort, and made him feel proud anyway.
Also clear!
---
Now back to Story #1 — let’s simplify based on common reading comprehension patterns.
In most “Problem and Solution” worksheets, the problem is something that goes wrong or causes stress, and the solution is how it gets fixed.
For Story #1:
- Dog sees package → barks → mom opens → treats!
- Another package arrives → dog barks → mailman sees dog is upset → calls owner (?) → Kelly comes out.
Even though the wording is odd, the likely intended problem is:
Problem: The dog doesn’t know how to get help when packages arrive, and gets upset/excited.
Solution: The mailman notices and makes sure someone (Kelly) comes to handle it.
Alternatively, maybe the problem is that the dog can’t communicate clearly, and the solution is that the mailman understands the dog’s barking means “help!”
I think for school level, we’ll go with:
Problem: The dog barks every time a package arrives because it wants attention or treats, but no one always comes right away.
Solution: The mailman learns to recognize the dog’s signal and makes sure someone responds.
But to match the format simply:
Let’s write concise answers suitable for a student filling out the chart.
---
Finalizing:
1. A Package at the Door
- Problem: The dog barks whenever a package arrives because it wants someone to come see what’s inside, but sometimes no one comes right away.
- Solution: The mailman notices the dog is upset and makes sure someone (like Kelly) comes out to check the package.
2. Basketball Practice Blues
- Problem: Garrett kept missing his passes during basketball practice and got angry.
- Solution: He took a break, thought about how to improve, practiced on his own, and did better at the next practice.
3. Report Card Time
- Problem: Max was scared his report card wouldn’t be perfect, especially after seeing a B in math.
- Solution: His teacher told him he did great overall, encouraged him, and made him feel proud.
These are simple, accurate, and match what a 3rd–5th grader would write.
Final Answer:
1. Problem: The dog barks when packages arrive because it wants someone to come see what’s inside, but no one always comes right away.
Solution: The mailman notices the dog is upset and makes sure someone comes out to check the package.
2. Problem: Garrett kept missing his passes during basketball practice and got angry.
Solution: He took a break, thought about how to improve, practiced on his own, and did better at the next practice.
3. Problem: Max was scared his report card wouldn’t be perfect, especially after seeing a B in math.
Solution: His teacher told him he did great overall, encouraged him, and made him feel proud.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of problem and solution worksheets.
