Reading Problems and Solutions Study Guide

Reading Problems and Solutions

In this lesson, you'll learn that some authors tell you about problems and how to solve them.

SOME AUTHORS USE a problem-and-solution text structure to organize their ideas. An author may state a problem, and then describe a solution.

Example 1

After the school fire, there was a lot of damage. Our computer lab was a total loss. So we put on a fund-raising carnival the next Saturday. We used all the money to buy new computers!

Problem: A fire ruined the school computers.

Solution: Raise money at a school carnival for new computers.

Sometimes an author tells a solution, and then states the problem it solves.

Example 2

We had a great fund-raising carnival last Saturday. We raised a lot of money to buy new computers. We needed them after we had a fire at the school. Our computer lab had been a total loss!

Solution: Have a fund-raising carnival.

Problem: Fire ruined school computers.

Recognizing a problem-and-solution text structure helps readers better understand the relationships between events. Try this one.

Example 3

"It'll be okay," our bus driver said as she closed the cell phone. "We'll have this flat tire fixed in no time. The school principal said a mechanic is on the way."

Problem: a flat tire on school bus.

Solution: school is sending mechanic.

You can use a problem-solution chart to record relationships like this.

Practice exercises for this study guide can be found at:

Reading Problems and Solutions Practice Exercises