Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 137 · 40 questions

Writer's tip (No problem, no story): Find the moment where something goes wrong — usually just after the beginning. Say it in a few words: a kite gets stuck in a tree. A place, a time or the way it gets fixed is not the problem.

1. 1.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
   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) Rohan rode on, proud that he could fix a chain now. (b) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (c) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off.
2. 2.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. Aisha wrote a note and took it to the principal. Mr Khan, the plumber, fixed the tap the next day. Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters. (a) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
3. 3.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
   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) Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
4. 4.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) The wrong name is written on a cake (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her
5. 5.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on bake sale day (b) the town hall (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
6. 6.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one Monday morning (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) his hill village
7. 7.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
   One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. Kabir tried to reach it, but his arms were too short. He tied a basket to a stick and scooped the ball out. Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game. (a) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water. (b) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (c) Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game.
8. 8.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the village pond (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) on bake sale day
9. 9.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. Tenzin followed its hoofprints down the muddy path. He found it by a stream and gently led it back. His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea. (a) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
10. 10.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. Vihaan stayed calm and went to a lady in uniform. Officer Kaur called his name on the loudspeaker. In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him. (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
11. 11.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. He found that he had left his homework at home. Aryan told Ms Gill the truth before she even asked. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. Aryan made a checklist so he would never forget again. (a) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) Homework is left at home (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced.
13. 13.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) a lane in Kochi (c) on Pongal morning
14. 14.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A marble rolls into a deep drain (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
15. 15.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
16. 16.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed. (b) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi.
17. 17.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. Saanvi looked under the sofa and behind every cushion. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! Grandpa chuckled and gave Saanvi a big hug. (a) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
18. 18.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street. (a) By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street. (b) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
19. 19.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street. (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
20. 20.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Omkar named her Pixie and gave her a cosy box. (b) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (c) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop.
21. 21.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
22. 22.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) A marble rolls into a deep drain (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
23. 23.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school bus (b) one cloudy evening (c) A boat starts to leak
24. 24.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) the back yard (c) one bright morning
25. 25.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (b) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (c) Soon Kiara had sold every cookie for the library fund.
27. 27.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Priya and Nani laughed at the clever plan. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
29. 29.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) one bright morning (c) the front step
30. 30.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. Advik opened the window wide and stepped back. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky. (a) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The window is opened to let it out (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
31. 31.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the colony park (b) one bright morning (c) A train is three hours late
32. 32.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) The wrong name is written on a cake (b) A boat starts to leak (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! Neel did not panic and looked at the names inside. Coach Iqbal swapped them back with a boy in the next lane. Neel ran in the right shoes and came second. (a) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (b) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (c) Neel ran in the right shoes and came second.
34. 34.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (b) Aarav thanked Kiran, and the kite flew high again. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
35. 35.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Sneha told stories until the lights came back on. (b) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (b) This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. (c) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
37. 37.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) A boat starts to leak (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
38. 38.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
40. 40.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A lift stops between two floors

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