Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 260 · 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?
   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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
2. 2.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   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) The alarm button brings help (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) A lift stops between two floors
3. 3.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) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) They put on the spare tyre together
4. 4.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 microphone stops working before her song (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries
5. 5.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) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
6. 6.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.
7. 7.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) A butterfly is trapped at a window
8. 8.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   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 biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
9. 9.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 puppy cannot find its owner (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
10. 10.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) It is built higher up with a moat
11. 11.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one summer holiday (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) the washroom
12. 12.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (b) Zoya gave it back, and Aunt Lata thanked her warmly. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
13. 13.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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
14. 14.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) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big! (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) Neel ran in the right shoes and came second.
15. 15.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.
16. 16.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a festive night (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) the village square
17. 17.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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. (c) Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail.
18. 18.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) Aarav thanked Kiran, and the kite flew high again. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
19. 19.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one foggy morning (b) the village pond (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
20. 20.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.
21. 21.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
22. 22.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one windy afternoon (b) Nani’s orchard (c) Blue paint spills over a poster
23. 23.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.
24. 24.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) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) The village well has dried up (c) Everyone sings along with her
25. 25.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (c) Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed.
26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Aryan made a checklist so he would never forget again. (b) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (c) He found that he had left his homework at home.
27. 27.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) Nobody buys anything from the stall (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The microphone stops working before her song
28. 28.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) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. (b) Rohan rode on, proud that he could fix a chain now. (c) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off.
29. 29.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) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (b) Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
30. 30.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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
31. 31.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 puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
32. 32.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 hard word makes her mind go blank (b) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
33. 33.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the muddy lane (b) on a Wednesday evening (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
34. 34.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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
35. 35.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 kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
36. 36.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. (b) Grandpa chuckled and gave Saanvi a big hug. (c) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere.
37. 37.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) on Science Day (c) the music room
38. 38.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) on a hot summer night (c) a lane in Kochi
39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) By evening, Isha and Maria were best friends. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
40. 40.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on Annual Day (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) the backwaters

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