Match problems with their solutions
key notes:
Writers sometimes organise their texts to focus on problems and solutions. As you read, pay attention to what the problems and solutions are. This can help you better understand the topic and the writer’s opinion.
Writers often use signal words to introduce problems and solutions. They can be words like question, answer, stop, fix, solve, should, must, and make sure.
- People should pile sandbags around the pond to make sure it doesn’t overflow.
- Problem: The pond might overflow.
- Solution: People should pile sandbags around the pond.
Learn with an example
🐵Read the text.
The Southern United States has had an unwanted guest for almost a hundred years. It’s a vine called kudzu. Farmers wanted to stop soil from wearing away, so the US government gave farmers kudzu. Kudzu’s strong roots could hold soil in place. The US government hoped kudzu would fix the farmers’ problem. But kudzu spread too quickly, killing trees and destroying buildings. Today, it covers millions of hectares. People are trying to get rid of this pesky plant by allowing animals to feed on it.
🐵Match the problems with their solutions.
| The US government gave kudzu to farmers | People let animals eat kudzu |
| Cause | Effect |
| Soil was wearing away. | |
| Kudzu spread too fast. |
Look at the signal words in bold.
The Southern United States has had an unwanted guest for almost a hundred years. It’s a vine called kudzu. Farmers wanted to stop soil from wearing away, so the US government gave farmers kudzu. Kudzu’s strong roots could hold soil in place. The US government hoped kudzu would fix the farmers’ problem. But kudzu spread too quickly, killing trees and destroying buildings. Today, it covers millions of hectares. People are trying to get rid of this pesky plant by allowing animals to feed on it.
These signal words help you find the problems and solutions.
| Problem | Solution |
| Soil was wearing away. | The US government gave kudzu to farmers |
| Kudzu spread too fast. | People let animals eat kudzu. |
🐵Read the text.
Paintings by early humans have been found in caves around the world. How did these early painters do their work? One problem was where to get paint. Cave painters couldn’t just go to the art shop and buy paint. Instead, they ground coloured rocks into dust. This dust was mixed with water to make a paste. Cave painters also needed paintbrushes. One solution was to use bone. Painters would use bones shaped like straws and blow paint onto cave walls.
🐵 Match the problems with their solutions.
| Cave painters needed brushes. | Cave painters needed paint. |
| Problem | Solution |
| Cave painters used rocks. | |
| Cave painters used bones. |
Look at the signal words in bold.
Paintings by early humans have been found in caves around the world. How did these early painters do their work? One problem was where to get paint. Cave painters couldn’t just go to the art shop and buy paint. Instead, they ground coloured rocks into dust. This dust was mixed with water to make a paste. Cave painters also needed paintbrushes. One solution was to use bone. Painters would use bones shaped like straws and blow paint onto cave walls.
These signal words help you find the problems and solutions.
| Problem | Solution |
| Cave painter needed paint. | Cave painters used rocks. |
| Cave painters needed brushes. | Cave painters used bones. |
🐵Read the text.
Shekar Dattatri makes films about things he cares about, such as animals and the environment. The Indian government was mining for iron in Kudremukh Park. The mining was destroying the rainforest there. To help stop the mining, Dattatri made the film Mindless Mining: The Tragedy of Kudremukh. When companies were fishing off India’s east coast, olive ridley turtles were killed. Dattatri’s solution was to make The Ridley’s Last Stand. Through Dattatri’s films, Indian people learned about important matters in their country.
🐵 Match the problems with their solutions.
| Dattatri made The Ridley’s Last Stand. | Dattatri made a film about Kudremukh. |
| Problem | Solution |
| Iron mining was hurting the rainforest. | |
| Fishing was hurting turtles. |
Look at the signal words in bold.
Shekar Dattatri makes films about things he cares about, such as animals and the environment. The Indian government was mining for iron in Kudremukh Park. The mining was destroying the rainforest there. To help stop the mining, Dattatri made the film Mindless Mining: The Tragedy of Kudremukh. When companies were fishing off India’s east coast, olive ridley turtles were killed. Dattatri’s solution was to make The Ridley’s Last Stand. Through Dattatri’s films, Indian people learned about important matters in their country.
These signal words help you find the problems and solutions.
| Problem | Solution |
| Iron mining was hurting the rainforest. | Dattatri made a film about Kudremukh. |
| Fishing was hurting turtles. | Dattatri made The Ridley’s Last Stand. |
let’s practice!
