Story Elements Practice Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 8: Practice: story building blocks · Set 25 · 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 cook rice are mixed up. Which step comes LAST? (a) Put the rice and water in a pot. (b) Fluff the cooked rice with a spoon. (c) Boil it until the water is soaked up.
2. 2.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
   How to plant a seed:
   ___, fill a small pot with soil.
   Then, 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
3. 3.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
   One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. Simran put on gloves and lifted it very gently. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. Simran smiled as the mother sparrow flew home. (a) A baby bird falls out of its nest (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) The shoes are swapped back
4. 4.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) his classroom (b) the music room (c) the beach
5. 5.Read the story. Which sentence tells you the setting (where and when)?
   One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. Tara asked Mr Nair, the gardener, what was wrong. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced. (a) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (b) He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
6. 6.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks. (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
   On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! Riya laughed and asked politely if it could be fixed. Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (a) Uncle Jacob, the baker, added a neat y in icing. (b) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
8. 8.Read the story. Who is the main character?
   One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed. A long snake was curled up near the door. Imran stepped back slowly and did not touch it. Mr Reddy, a snake rescuer, carried it away safely. Imran learnt that snakes should be left to experts. (a) Yash (b) Mr Reddy (c) Imran
9. 9.Read the story. Where does it take place?
   Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. Ishaan asked the other children to help him mend it. Mrs Rao gave them a strong plank and some rope. By noon, Ishaan was swinging high on the new seat. (a) the music school (b) her grandpa’s flat (c) the colony park
10. 10.Read the start of the story. What happens next?
    Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (a) Aditi did not give up and started all over again. (b) Fatima opened her bag and found a book of puzzles. (c) Ishaan asked the other children to help him mend it.
11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (b) Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe. (c) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard.
12. 12.Read the story so far. Which sentence is the best ENDING?
    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. (a) This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. (b) The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend. (c) Dev mended the page neatly and felt proud of himself.
13. 13.Read the story. Which of these is a character in it?
    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) Simran (b) Mr Iyer (c) Rohan
14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) Her friend Zubin rang a bell to call people over.
15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    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) The village well has dried up (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
16. 16.Read the story. Which sentence tells you the setting (where and when)?
    One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. Anjali pressed her rubber slipper hard over the crack. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief. (a) Anjali pressed her rubber slipper hard over the crack. (b) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
17. 17.These steps to wrap a present are mixed up. Which step comes LAST? (a) Fold the paper around the gift. (b) Stick the edges with tape. (c) Tie a ribbon on top.
18. 18.Read the story. Which sentence tells you the setting (where and when)?
    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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
19. 19.Read the story. Who is the main character?
    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. Omkar named her Pixie and gave her a cosy box. (a) Yash (b) Omkar (c) Pixie
20. 20.These sentences come from one story. Which one is the BEGINNING? (a) Kabir tried to reach it, but his arms were too short. (b) Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game. (c) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond.
21. 21.Read the story. Which of these is a character in it?
    One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. Priya hid behind a bush and saw a monkey, Bholu, take one. She left bananas for Bholu, and he left the mangoes alone. Priya and Nani laughed at the clever plan. (a) Sahil (b) Bholu (c) Simran
22. 22.These sentences come from one story. Which one is the BEGINNING? (a) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) Pooja drew posters and stuck them on every gate. (c) Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail.
23. 23.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. Diya held out a biscuit and spoke softly to it. The puppy crept out and licked her hand. Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed. (a) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
24. 24.Read the story. What is the problem 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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
25. 25.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to make a sandwich:
    ___, take two slices of bread.
    Then, spread butter on each slice.
    Next, put cucumber and tomato on one slice.
    Finally, cover it with the other slice and eat. (a) Finally (b) First (c) Then
26. 26.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. Aarav jumped and jumped, but he could not reach it. His friend Kiran brought a bamboo pole to poke it free. Aarav thanked Kiran, and the kite flew high again. (a) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
27. 27.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to make a puppet:
    ___, find an old sock.
    Then, glue two buttons on it for eyes.
    Next, sew on a red tongue of cloth.
    Finally, slip it on your hand and make it talk. (a) First (b) Finally (c) Then
28. 28.These steps to pack a school bag are mixed up. Which step comes FIRST? (a) Put the books and pencil box in the bag. (b) Find the books for each class. (c) Check the timetable for tomorrow.
29. 29.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to make a paper boat:
    First, take a sheet of paper.
    Then, fold it into a triangle shape.
    Next, pull the sides open into a boat.
    ___, float your boat in a puddle. (a) Finally (b) First (c) Because
30. 30.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) her flat in Pune (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) on Annual Day
31. 31.Read this. What is most likely to happen next?
    Dark clouds filled the sky, and thunder rumbled. (a) Big drops of rain began to fall. (b) The fish in the pond began to sing. (c) The sun shone in a clear blue sky.
32. 32.Read the story. Where does it take place?
    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) the hill road (b) his classroom (c) the village pond
33. 33.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A new girl has no friends at lunch (b) one sunny morning (c) his hill village
34. 34.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy is shivering in the cold rain” (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
35. 35.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to wash your hands:
    ___, wet your hands under the tap.
    Then, rub soap all over them.
    Next, scrub between your fingers.
    Finally, rinse and dry them on a towel. (a) First (b) Then (c) Finally
36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence tells you the setting (where and when)?
    On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. Dev was scared, but he told the librarian the truth. Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it. Dev mended the page neatly and felt proud of himself. (a) Dev mended the page neatly and felt proud of himself. (b) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library. (c) Ms Fernandes smiled and showed him how to tape it.
37. 37.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The seat of the park swing has cracked” (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
38. 38.Fill the gap with the right sequence word.
    How to make a paper boat:
    First, take a sheet of paper.
    ___, fold it into a triangle shape.
    Next, pull the sides open into a boat.
    Finally, float your boat in a puddle. (a) First (b) Finally (c) Then
39. 39.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks. (a) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
40. 40.Read the story. Who is the main character?
    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) Kabir (b) Sneha (c) Arjun

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