Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 452 · 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 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) Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat.
2. 2.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) The torn page is mended with tape
3. 3.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
   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) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (b) The glasses are found on top of his head (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
4. 4.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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (b) Sneha told stories until the lights came back on. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
5. 5.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) Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. (b) During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. (c) This time Maria’s castle stood tall until sunset.
6. 6.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 puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) The window is opened to let it out
7. 7.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) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) Homework is left at home
8. 8.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a long car trip (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) her building
9. 9.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one warm evening (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) the hill road
10. 10.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) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart. (b) One stormy night, Diya heard a whimper in a lane in Kochi. (c) Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed.
11. 11.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) A boat starts to leak (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
12. 12.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.
13. 13.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) a tall building (c) on Annual Day
14. 14.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
15. 15.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 car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
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) His running shoes are the wrong size (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) The shoes are swapped back
17. 17.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 butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
18. 18.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) They put on the spare tyre together
19. 19.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) Rohan rode on, proud that he could fix a chain now. (b) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
20. 20.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) On the first day of school, Isha walked into a new school. (b) By evening, Isha and Maria were best friends. (c) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch.
21. 21.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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (c) Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya.
22. 22.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) her building (c) on a busy Monday
23. 23.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.
24. 24.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) A board held up blocks the wind (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) A boat starts to leak
25. 25.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) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
26. 26.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 puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) The village well has dried up
27. 27.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) Homework is left at home (b) A new girl has no friends at lunch (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
28. 28.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a long car trip (b) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) the hill road
29. 29.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
30. 30.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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) His name is called on the loudspeaker (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
31. 31.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) Omkar named her Pixie and gave her a cosy box. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank.
32. 32.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 snake is curled up in a shed (b) A plumber fixes the dripping tap (c) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water
33. 33.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 farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees
34. 34.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 lift stops between two floors (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
35. 35.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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 kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free
36. 36.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a festive night (b) the music room (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
37. 37.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) His running shoes are the wrong size
38. 38.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) her balcony (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) one Monday morning
39. 39.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a busy Monday (b) the backwaters (c) A snake is curled up in a shed
40. 40.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school hall (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) on Pongal morning

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