Reading

Today, we are going to take a look at problem and solution in fiction. We already know what the problem and solution looks like in nonfiction, so that will help us a lot with fiction. The problem in a story is something the main character or characters have to deal with and solve. The solution is how they then fix that problem.

Can you match each problem with the correct solution?
Your family finds a lost dog at a park. What would be the solution?
You put up a sign for it.
How about this problem? You miss your school bus.
Your mom drives you to school.
How about when you don’t understand a math problem? What’s the solution?
You ask your teacher to explain it to you.

Now let’s take a look at a short story together and see if we can identify the problem and solution.
What is the problem in our story? Remember, the problem is something that the character needs to solve or fix.
Tommy has a flat tire!
That’s definitely a problem that needs to be fixed. How does Tommy fix it? What is the solution?
He finds the air pump and fills his tire with air.
We found the problem and solution of the story.
Finding the problem and solution in a story can help you be a better reader. Trying to figure out what the problem is and what the character does to solve the problem will help you understand and remember the story better. Sometimes, it’s the part of a story that you still remember long after reading it.