Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 370 · 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 plumber fixes the dripping tap (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
2. 2.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
   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) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (b) Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang. (c) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane.
3. 3.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one foggy morning (b) Nobody buys anything from the stall (c) his classroom
4. 4.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one warm evening (b) the school gate (c) A train is three hours late
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 baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) A bean seed does not sprout
6. 6.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) Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (c) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building.
7. 7.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (c) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground.
8. 8.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) The wrong name is written on a cake (b) the school hall (c) on a Tuesday evening
9. 9.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) his hill village (b) on Annual Day (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
10. 10.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
11. 11.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) Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya. (b) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
12. 12.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.
13. 13.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) a tall building (b) after the lunch bell (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
14. 14.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one stormy night (b) the village pond (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
15. 15.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school library (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) one quiet Sunday
16. 16.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 lift stops between two floors
17. 17.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) Neel ran in the right shoes and came second. (b) On Sports Day, Neel lined up at the sports ground. (c) His running shoes had been mixed up, and they were too big!
18. 18.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the beach (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) on a Wednesday evening
19. 19.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
20. 20.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) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya! (b) Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (c) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery.
21. 21.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
22. 22.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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 broke its rope and began eating the spinach! (b) Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks. (c) One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market.
23. 23.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
24. 24.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) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
25. 25.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one cloudy evening (b) his hill village (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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 long snake was curled up near the door. (b) Imran learnt that snakes should be left to experts. (c) One warm evening, Imran opened the garden shed.
27. 27.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) Posters help the owner find the puppy (b) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
28. 28.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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (b) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (c) By evening, Isha and Maria were best friends.
29. 29.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. The old well had dried up, and people had no water. Lakshmi asked everyone to dig a pond to catch the rain. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim. (a) A train is three hours late (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
30. 30.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 boat starts to leak (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
31. 31.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.
32. 32.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a long car trip (b) a new school (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
33. 33.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.
34. 34.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) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (b) Priya and Nani laughed at the clever plan. (c) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard.
35. 35.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) One hot afternoon, Kabir played cricket by the village pond. (b) Kabir and Farhan cheered and went on with the game. (c) Farhan hit the ball so hard that it splashed into the water.
36. 36.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) Nani’s orchard (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) on a busy Monday
37. 37.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 baby bird falls out of its nest (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A lift stops between two floors
38. 38.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 puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) A snake rescuer carries it away safely
39. 39.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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) Everyone sings along with her (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
40. 40.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The lights go out and her little brother cries

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