Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 693 · 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) Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail. (c) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby.
2. 2.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school bus (b) The seat of the park swing has cracked (c) one quiet Sunday
3. 3.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 tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
4. 4.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 butterfly is trapped at a window (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
5. 5.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the school hall (b) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (c) one stormy night
6. 6.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 goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away
7. 7.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) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (b) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. (c) His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea.
8. 8.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) On her birthday morning, Riya hurried to the bakery. (b) Riya carried home a cake with her name spelt right. (c) The cake said “Happy Birthday, Rita” instead of Riya!
9. 9.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) Homework is left at home (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
10. 10.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) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. (b) Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya. (c) On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall.
11. 11.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the back yard (b) one windy afternoon (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
12. 12.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) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses (c) The glasses are found on top of his head
13. 13.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the village pond (b) on a hot summer night (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
14. 14.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (b) Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters. (c) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted.
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) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) A marble rolls into a deep drain (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
16. 16.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) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach
17. 17.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) A snake is curled up in a shed (b) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (c) The box is found under the last seat
18. 18.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 baby yak wanders away from the herd (c) The cricket ball splashes into a pond
19. 19.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) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (b) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz (c) Her model volcano will not fizz
20. 20.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
21. 21.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (b) on Craft Day (c) Nani’s orchard
22. 22.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) One summer holiday, Priya stayed at Nani’s orchard. (b) Every morning, ripe mangoes were missing from the trees. (c) Priya and Nani laughed at the clever plan.
23. 23.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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 wrong name is written on a cake (b) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) The baker fixes one letter in icing
24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. (b) Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you. (c) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
25. 25.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) On bake sale day, Kiara set up a stall at the school gate. (c) Soon Kiara had sold every cookie for the library fund.
26. 26.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A snake is curled up in a shed (b) on Science Day (c) the wedding hall
27. 27.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out
28. 28.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) Soon the doors opened, and Sahil stepped out safely. (c) One Sunday evening, Sahil took the lift in a tall building.
29. 29.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one Sunday evening (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) his hill village
30. 30.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) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief.
31. 31.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) She knew nobody and sat all alone at lunch. (c) By evening, Isha and Maria were best friends.
32. 32.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) Diya named him Moti and made him a warm bed. (c) A tiny puppy was shivering under a broken cart.
33. 33.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) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
34. 34.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on Sports Day (b) her flat in Pune (c) Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses
35. 35.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) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) His name is called on the loudspeaker
36. 36.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) She is too shy to sing in front of others (b) the wedding hall (c) one sunny morning
37. 37.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) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
38. 38.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) her balcony (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) one bright morning
39. 39.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) early one Saturday (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) the town hall
40. 40.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) Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids