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Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 171 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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.

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  1. 1.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) his classroom (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) one breezy evening
  2. 2.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 tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
  3. 3.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) one cloudy evening (c) Nani’s orchard
  4. 4.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 bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) Homework is left at home
  5. 5.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the washroom (b) one bright morning (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  6. 6.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the colony park (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) on Annual Day
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.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.
  9. 9.Read the story. What is the problem 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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) A train is three hours late (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  10. 10.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a Tuesday evening (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) the art room
  11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. Meera and her friend Tenzin searched seat by seat. The red box was hiding under the very last seat. Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you.
    (a) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (c) Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you.
  12. 12.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) Soon the doors opened, and Sahil stepped out safely. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
  13. 13.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  14. 14.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the hill road (b) on a busy Monday (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  15. 15.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) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  16. 16.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) The shoes are swapped back (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  17. 17.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) Nani’s orchard (c) on a festive night
  18. 18.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) the bakery (c) one windy afternoon
  19. 19.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) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (b) Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  20. 20.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) A boat starts to leak
  21. 21.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.
  22. 22.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the front step (b) on bake sale day (c) His running shoes are the wrong size
  23. 23.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  24. 24.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on Craft Day (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) the music room
  25. 25.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) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) Aarav thanked Kiran, and the kite flew high again.
  26. 26.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  27. 27.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) the vegetable market (c) on Annual Day
  28. 28.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 snake is curled up in a shed (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
  29. 29.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) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) The window is opened to let it out
  30. 30.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) Priya and Nani laughed at the clever plan.
  31. 31.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  32. 32.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. Pooja drew posters and stuck them on every gate. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail.
    (a) Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
  33. 33.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (b) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (c) His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea.
  34. 34.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A puppy cannot find its owner (b) the art room (c) on a long car trip
  35. 35.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. (c) This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize.
  36. 36.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one misty dawn (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) the school bus
  37. 37.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. Yash held the torch while Uncle Ravi took out the spare. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on.
    (a) The village well has dried up (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  38. 38.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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  39. 39.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.
  40. 40.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) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (b) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (c) Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky.

Answer key

  1. A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  2. The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  3. A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  4. A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
  5. A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  6. Blue paint spills over a poster
  7. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
  8. Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
  9. A train is three hours late
  10. A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
  11. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
  12. The lift jerked and stopped between two floors.
  13. A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
  14. A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  15. The microphone stops working before her song
  16. His running shoes are the wrong size
  17. The seat of the park swing has cracked
  18. Mud splashes all over a white uniform
  19. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
  20. A new girl has no friends at lunch
  21. His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  22. His running shoes are the wrong size
  23. A baby bird falls out of its nest
  24. A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  25. A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  26. A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  27. An aunt loses a gold earring
  28. A snake is curled up in a shed
  29. A butterfly is trapped at a window
  30. Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees.
  31. Her model volcano will not fizz
  32. The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
  33. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  34. A puppy cannot find its owner
  35. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
  36. Nobody buys anything from the stall
  37. A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  38. A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
  39. A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
  40. A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.

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