Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 17 · 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. 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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
   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) His puppy had torn a page of the book he borrowed. (b) Dev mended the page neatly and felt proud of himself. (c) On a Friday afternoon, Dev walked into the school library.
3. 3.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 tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
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) Everyone sings along with her (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
5. 5.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   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) The pot is moved into the sunshine (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) A bean seed does not sprout
6. 6.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
7. 7.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school hall (b) one Monday morning (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
8. 8.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the back yard (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) one foggy morning
9. 9.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 hard word makes her mind go blank (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
10. 10.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the music school (b) The village well has dried up (c) on a festive night
11. 11.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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 cricket ball splashes into a pond
12. 12.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) This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. (b) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
13. 13.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 baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Homework is left at home (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
14. 14.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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
15. 15.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one Sunday evening (b) the school library (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
16. 16.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) This time Maria’s castle stood tall until sunset. (b) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (c) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach.
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) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
18. 18.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) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (b) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (c) Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced.
19. 19.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) a new school (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) one rainy morning
20. 20.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the playground (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) on Pongal morning
21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (b) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two. (c) By noon, Ishaan was swinging high on the new seat.
22. 22.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the town hall (b) one rainy morning (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
23. 23.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
24. 24.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) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
25. 25.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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 was beating its wings against the window. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky.
26. 26.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the washroom (b) on a busy Monday (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
27. 27.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. Zoya looked carefully under every chair and table. The earring was shining beside the flower stand. Zoya gave it back, and Aunt Lata thanked her warmly. (a) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
28. 28.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
29. 29.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) The shoes are swapped back (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
30. 30.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad. (c) In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him.
31. 31.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) the railway station (c) in the dry season
32. 32.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (b) Soon the doors opened, and Sahil stepped out safely. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
33. 33.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (b) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street.
34. 34.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) in the dry season (b) Homework is left at home (c) the garden shed
35. 35.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief.
36. 36.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
37. 37.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (b) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
38. 38.Read the story. What is the problem 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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
39. 39.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 new girl has no friends at lunch (b) The village well has dried up (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
40. 40.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) He changes into a clean spare uniform (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform

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