Story Elements Practice Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 8: Practice: story building blocks · Set 17 · 40 questions

Writer's tip (Build it block by block): Decide which building block the question is about. Use that lesson’s tip: who has the problem, where and when, what goes wrong, how it is fixed, or what comes first. Check your choice against the story text.

1. 1.These steps to make lemonade are mixed up. Which step comes LAST? (a) Stir well and pour it into glasses. (b) Cut a lemon in half. (c) Add cold water and a spoon of sugar.
2. 2.Read the story. Where does it take place?
   On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. Sneha found a torch and made shadow animals on the wall. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. Sneha told stories until the lights came back on. (a) her flat in Pune (b) Nani’s orchard (c) the back yard
3. 3.Read the story. Where does it take place?
   During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. Maria thought hard and moved further up the sand. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. This time Maria’s castle stood tall until sunset. (a) the backwaters (b) the school garden (c) the beach
4. 4.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A lift stops between two floors (b) early one Saturday (c) the railway station
5. 5.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. Ananya stayed calm and checked every jar again. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. (a) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
6. 6.Read the story. Which of these is a character in it?
   On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. Kiara made a bright sign that said “Fresh Cookies!” Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over. Soon Kiara had sold every cookie for the library fund. (a) Simran (b) Saanvi (c) Zubin
7. 7.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
   How to pack a school bag:
   First, check the timetable for tomorrow.
   Then, find the books for each class.
   ___, put the books and pencil box in the bag.
   Finally, zip the bag and keep it by the door. (a) Finally (b) Next (c) First
8. 8.Read the story. When does it take place?
   One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. Tanmay could not reach it with his arm or a stick. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe. (a) during the Christmas holidays (b) one breezy evening (c) one rainy morning
9. 9.Read the story so far. Which sentence is the best ENDING?
   On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. Aditi did not give up and started all over again. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. (a) In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him. (b) By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street. (c) Meher sang the whole song and felt brave.
10. 10.These sentences come from one story. Which one is the BEGINNING? (a) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (b) Rahul’s poster with the lake won first prize. (c) Rahul was upset, but his friend Simran had an idea.
11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. Then Isha saw another girl sitting alone too. Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. By evening, Isha and Maria were best friends. (a) Isha smiled and asked Maria to share her lunch. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
12. 12.These steps to take a photo are mixed up. Which step comes FIRST? (a) Press the button to click the photo. (b) Switch on the camera. (c) Ask everyone to smile.
13. 13.Read this. What is most likely to happen next?
    The milk was left out of the fridge for two days. (a) The milk changed into orange juice. (b) The milk turned sour. (c) The milk became sweeter and fresher.
14. 14.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. She was too shy to sing in front of the others. Meher closed her eyes and pictured singing at home. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. Meher sang the whole song and felt brave. (a) Everyone sings along with her (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
15. 15.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. Tanmay could not reach it with his arm or a stick. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe. (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
16. 16.Read the story. Which word best describes Meher?
    On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. She was too shy to sing in front of the others. Meher closed her eyes and pictured singing at home. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. Meher sang the whole song and felt brave. (a) rude (b) brave (c) selfish
17. 17.Read the story. Who is the main character?
    One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. Her train was three hours late. Fatima opened her bag and found a book of puzzles. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend. (a) Fatima (b) Farhan (c) Mr Iyer
18. 18.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby yak wanders away from the herd” (a) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
19. 19.Read the story. Which of these is a character in it?
    On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. Rahul was upset, but his friend Simran had an idea. They turned the big blue splash into a lake. Rahul’s poster with the lake won first prize. (a) Simran (b) Arjun (c) Saanvi
20. 20.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees” (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
21. 21.These sentences come from one story. Which one is the ENDING? (a) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him. (c) Vihaan stayed calm and went to a lady in uniform.
22. 22.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. Sahil stayed calm and pressed the red alarm button. Mrs Bose, the guard, called the lift mechanic at once. Soon the doors opened, and Sahil stepped out safely. (a) A lift stops between two floors (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
23. 23.Read the story. Which word best describes Kavya?
    On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya. (a) careless (b) selfish (c) brave
24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells you the setting (where and when)?
    In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. The old well had dried up, and people had no water. Lakshmi asked everyone to dig a pond to catch the rain. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim. (a) Lakshmi asked everyone to dig a pond to catch the rain. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim.
25. 25.These sentences come from one story. Which one is the ENDING? (a) Maria thought hard and moved further up the sand. (b) This time Maria’s castle stood tall until sunset. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
26. 26.Read the story. Which of these is a character in it?
    One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. Ayaan ran home and told Maa what had happened. Maa quickly gave him a clean spare uniform. Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang. (a) Maa (b) Fatima (c) Aarav
27. 27.Read this. What is most likely to happen next?
    Meera planted a mango seed and watered it every day. (a) The seed became a bicycle. (b) A small green shoot came up. (c) An apple fell from the pot the next day.
28. 28.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to take a photo:
    First, switch on the camera.
    Then, point it at your friends.
    Next, ask everyone to smile.
    ___, press the button to click the photo. (a) Because (b) First (c) Finally
29. 29.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to plant a seed:
    First, fill a small pot with soil.
    ___, make a hole with your finger.
    Next, drop the seed in and cover it.
    Finally, water the pot and keep it in the sun. (a) Then (b) First (c) Finally
30. 30.Read this. What is most likely to happen next?
    The children forgot to close the gate of the hen house. (a) The hen house flew away. (b) The hens wandered out into the yard. (c) The hens locked the gate themselves.
31. 31.Read the start of the story. What happens next?
    One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (a) Priya hid behind a bush and saw a monkey, Bholu, take one. (b) Sneha found a torch and made shadow animals on the wall. (c) Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.
32. 32.Read the story so far. Which sentence is the best ENDING?
    One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. Omkar spoke softly and put a saucer of milk nearby. The kitten tiptoed out to drink the milk. (a) In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him. (b) Omkar named her Pixie and gave her a cosy box. (c) Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks.
33. 33.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to make a fruit salad:
    First, wash the fruit.
    Then, peel the banana and the orange.
    Next, chop all the fruit into small pieces.
    ___, mix them in a bowl and serve. (a) Finally (b) First (c) Because
34. 34.These steps to make a puppet are mixed up. Which step comes FIRST? (a) Find an old sock. (b) Sew on a red tongue of cloth. (c) Glue two buttons on it for eyes.
35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya. (a) She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. (b) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (c) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall.
36. 36.Read this. What is most likely to happen next?
    Pooja’s balloon touched a thorny bush. (a) The thorns blew up the balloon again. (b) The balloon burst with a pop. (c) The balloon grew bigger and bigger.
37. 37.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. Rohan sat down and studied the chain slowly. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. Rohan rode on, proud that he could fix a chain now. (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) The box is found under the last seat
38. 38.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A puppy cannot find its owner (b) the city fair (c) during the Christmas holidays
39. 39.Read the story. Who is the main character?
    On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. Nisha recalled the rhyme Mrs Sen had taught her. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. Nisha won the silver cup and thanked Mrs Sen. (a) Mrs Sen (b) Nisha (c) Aisha
40. 40.Read this. What is most likely to happen next?
    The teacher asked a question, and Manav knew the answer. (a) Manav’s hand answered for him. (b) Manav hid under his desk. (c) Manav raised his hand.

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