Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 286 · 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?
   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) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (c) Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail.
2. 2.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 strong plank and rope make a new seat (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
3. 3.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) A puppy cannot find its owner (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
4. 4.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on Craft Day (b) the school bus (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
5. 5.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) By noon, nobody had bought a single cookie. (b) Soon Kiara had sold every cookie for the library fund. (c) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate.
6. 6.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) the muddy lane (c) on Annual Day
7. 7.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 kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
8. 8.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) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. (c) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried.
9. 9.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the hill road (b) one Monday morning (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
10. 10.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.
11. 11.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) A lift stops between two floors (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) The alarm button brings help
12. 12.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) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) The wrong name is written on a cake
13. 13.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 bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
14. 14.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) her flat in Pune (b) A snake is curled up in a shed (c) on Science Day
15. 15.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 baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
16. 16.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) Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters.
17. 17.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 could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (c) Grandpa chuckled and gave Saanvi a big hug.
18. 18.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) the railway station (c) one cloudy evening
19. 19.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) Nisha won the silver cup and thanked Mrs Sen. (b) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (c) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
20. 20.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) By noon, Ishaan was swinging high on the new seat. (b) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park. (c) The seat of the old swing had cracked in two.
21. 21.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the music room (b) one summer holiday (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
22. 22.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) after the lunch bell (b) the village square (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
23. 23.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one quiet Sunday (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) the art room
24. 24.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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
25. 25.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) His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea. (c) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
26. 26.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) The window is opened to let it out (b) The village well has dried up (c) A butterfly is trapped at a window
27. 27.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
28. 28.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 lights go out and her little brother cries (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
29. 29.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the village square (b) on Craft Day (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
30. 30.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 train is three hours late (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
31. 31.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one Sunday evening (b) the bakery (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
32. 32.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) In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him. (b) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (c) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.
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) 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.
34. 34.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) her flat in Pune (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) one warm evening
35. 35.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) his hill village (c) during the Christmas holidays
36. 36.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one misty dawn (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) the village square
37. 37.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) The lift jerked and stopped between two floors. (b) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building. (c) Soon the doors opened, and Sahil stepped out safely.
38. 38.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 bean seed does not sprout (b) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (c) They put on the spare tyre together
39. 39.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) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A board held up blocks the wind
40. 40.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) The wrong name is written on a cake (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz

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