Problem in a Story Worksheet
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.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on her birthday morning (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) the village square
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2.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) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. (c) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. - 3.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A hard word makes her mind go blank (b) his hill village (c) early one Saturday
- 4.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) on a hot summer night (c) the school garden
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5.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (c) Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters. -
6.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) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. -
7.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) Homework is left at home (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker - 8.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school hall (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) one bright morning
- 9.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) the front step (c) on a Wednesday evening
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10.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
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) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) Posters help the owner find the puppy - 11.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one spring afternoon (b) the school garden (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
- 12.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a long car trip (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) the village pond
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13.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses -
14.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) He is allowed to bring it the next day (b) Homework is left at home (c) The village well has dried up -
15.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. - 16.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the sports ground (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) one cloudy evening
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17.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) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. (c) Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe. - 18.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) the music school (c) one hot afternoon
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19.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) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (b) Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. - 20.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one stormy night (b) the science fair (c) Homework is left at home
- 21.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) a tall building (b) one breezy evening (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
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22.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 bean seed does not sprout (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform -
23.Read the story. What is the problem 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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake -
24.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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) Her model volcano will not fizz -
25.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) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (c) This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize. - 26.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the backwaters (b) on a Friday afternoon (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
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27.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 basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A snake is curled up in a shed -
28.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) Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you. (b) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. -
29.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) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (b) Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. - 30.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) the garden shed (c) one misty dawn
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31.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
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) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (b) The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend. (c) Her train was three hours late. -
32.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
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) The box is found under the last seat (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform -
33.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner -
34.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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out -
35.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
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) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on. (c) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. -
36.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
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) Simran smiled as the mother sparrow flew home. (b) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. (c) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. -
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) They put on the spare tyre together (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip -
38.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 baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill -
39.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) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (b) Omkar named her Pixie and gave her a cosy box. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. -
40.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
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) Rahul’s poster with the lake won first prize. (b) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. (c) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room.
Answer key
- A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
- A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
- A hard word makes her mind go blank
- She is too shy to sing in front of others
- A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
- Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away.
- A boy gets lost in a big crowd
- Nobody buys anything from the stall
- The cricket ball splashes into a pond
- A puppy cannot find its owner
- A baby yak wanders away from the herd
- A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
- Mud splashes all over a white uniform
- Homework is left at home
- Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
- A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
- His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
- A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
- A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
- Homework is left at home
- The seat of the park swing has cracked
- A bean seed does not sprout
- Blue paint spills over a poster
- Her model volcano will not fizz
- She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened.
- A puppy cannot find its owner
- The cricket ball splashes into a pond
- At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
- The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
- His running shoes are the wrong size
- Her train was three hours late.
- A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
- A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
- A marble rolls into a deep drain
- Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
- A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly.
- A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
- A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
- A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
- He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
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