Problem and Solution in Fiction
A Grade 6 ELA worksheet to help students identify problems and solutions in fictional texts, enhancing reading comprehension skills.
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Problem and Solution in Fiction
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Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Pay close attention to the problems characters face and how they try to solve them.
The Old Oak Tree
Maya loved the old oak tree in her backyard. It was massive, with branches that stretched out like welcoming arms. Every summer, she would climb its sturdy trunk and read for hours in its leafy canopy. But this summer was different. A fierce storm had swept through town, and when Maya went outside, she saw a large crack running down the side of her beloved tree. One of its largest branches hung precariously, threatening to fall at any moment. Maya’s heart sank. She knew if the branch fell, it could damage their fence or even part of the house. Her parents were worried too, and they considered calling a tree removal service, which would mean saying goodbye to her favorite reading spot forever.
Determined to save the tree, Maya started researching. She spent hours at the library and online, learning about tree care and damage. She discovered that sometimes, if a crack wasn't too severe, a tree could be braced. She found a local arborist, Mr. Henderson, who specialized in saving old trees. Maya convinced her parents to let her call him. Mr. Henderson inspected the tree and agreed that bracing might work. He explained the process and gave them an estimate. Maya, her parents, and even some neighbors organized a bake sale and car wash to raise the money. After several weeks of hard work, they had enough. Mr. Henderson returned, and with careful work, he secured the branch with strong cables and bolts. Maya watched anxiously, but soon, her oak tree looked stable again. It would take time for the tree to heal, but Maya knew she had done everything she could to save it. She couldn't wait for her next summer reading adventure in its branches.
1. What is the main problem Maya faces in the story?
2. What initial solution did Maya's parents consider, and why was Maya upset by it?
3. What was Maya's primary method for finding a solution to the tree's problem?
Asking her friends for advice.
Ignoring the problem and hoping it would go away.
Researching and seeking expert help.
Trying to fix the tree herself with tape.
4. Which of the following best describes the solution to the problem in the story?
The tree was cut down and replaced with a new one.
Maya's parents paid for the tree to be braced immediately.
The community helped raise money for an arborist to brace the tree.
A new storm came and fixed the tree's crack.
5. The initial problem with the oak tree was a running down its side, and a branch that was .
6. Maya's research led her to discover that a tree with a crack might be saved by it.
7. The arborist immediately told Maya that the tree could not be saved.
True
False
8. Describe how Maya's actions contributed to solving the problem of the damaged oak tree. What character traits did she demonstrate?