Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 555 · 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.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the village square (b) on Science Day (c) The seat of the park swing has cracked
2. 2.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one sunny morning (b) A bean seed does not sprout (c) her balcony
3. 3.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) The earring is found beside a flower stand (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
4. 4.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.
5. 5.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) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) Zoya gave it back, and Aunt Lata thanked her warmly.
6. 6.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one hot afternoon (b) A lift stops between two floors (c) the wedding hall
7. 7.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
8. 8.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 butterfly is trapped at a window (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) The window is opened to let it out
9. 9.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 butterfly is trapped at a window (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) A saucer of milk tempts the kitten out
10. 10.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) On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. (c) He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere.
11. 11.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A puppy cannot find its owner (b) one sunny morning (c) the playground
12. 12.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) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. (b) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (c) Nisha won the silver cup and thanked Mrs Sen.
13. 13.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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
14. 14.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) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) Aryan made a checklist so he would never forget again.
15. 15.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) Nani’s orchard (b) one quiet Sunday (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
16. 16.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one sunny morning (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) the vegetable market
17. 17.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) her building (c) during the Christmas holidays
18. 18.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school library (b) one Sunday evening (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) An aunt loses a gold earring (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
20. 20.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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
21. 21.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.
22. 22.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) Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang. (b) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (c) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform.
23. 23.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) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
24. 24.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) one hot afternoon (c) the colony park
25. 25.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) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
26. 26.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 puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A lift stops between two floors
27. 27.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) The lights go out and her little brother cries
28. 28.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) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) Everyone sings along with her
29. 29.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) a lane in Kochi (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) one bright morning
30. 30.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
31. 31.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the colony park (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) on a long car trip
32. 32.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
33. 33.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.
34. 34.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) The old well had dried up, and people had no water. (b) In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. (c) When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim.
35. 35.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) On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. (c) A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere.
36. 36.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one windy afternoon (b) her balcony (c) The village well has dried up
37. 37.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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
38. 38.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) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. (b) Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced. (c) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden.
39. 39.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a Wednesday evening (b) the sports ground (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
40. 40.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one foggy morning (b) the town hall (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip

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