Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 904 · 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 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) Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. (b) Nisha won the silver cup and thanked Mrs Sen. (c) On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall.
2. 2.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) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) Mud splashes all over a white uniform
3. 3.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 kite gets stuck high up in a tree (b) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
4. 4.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) A little kitten was stuck behind a water tank. (b) One cloudy evening, Omkar heard a mew on his rooftop. (c) Omkar named her Pixie and gave her a cosy box.
5. 5.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) A tap was dripping, and water was being wasted. (b) During a dry summer, Aisha saw a problem in the washroom. (c) Aisha smiled, because every drop of water matters.
6. 6.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) One rainy morning, Ayaan walked down the muddy lane. (b) A passing scooter sprayed mud all over his white uniform. (c) Ayaan reached school just as the bell rang.
7. 7.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 kitten is stuck behind a water tank (b) A tap keeps dripping and wasting water (c) A plumber fixes the dripping tap
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) Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. (c) On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune.
9. 9.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) her flat in Pune (b) one sunny morning (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
10. 10.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one spring afternoon (b) the school garden (c) A marble rolls into a deep drain
11. 11.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 marble rolls into a deep drain (c) A puppy cannot find its owner
12. 12.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) Homework is left at home (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
13. 13.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one busy morning (b) the science fair (c) The microphone stops working before her song
14. 14.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 saucer of milk tempts the kitten out (b) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
15. 15.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 marble rolls into a deep drain (b) The alarm button brings help (c) A lift stops between two floors
16. 16.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (c) An aunt loses a gold earring
17. 17.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on her birthday morning (b) her building (c) A boy gets lost in a big crowd
18. 18.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) The seat of the park swing has cracked (b) the front step (c) during the Christmas holidays
19. 19.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 car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) A butterfly is trapped at a window (c) The window is opened to let it out
20. 20.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) A strong plank and rope make a new seat (c) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill
21. 21.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) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
22. 22.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) A puppy cannot find its owner (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
23. 23.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) Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya. (c) Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working.
24. 24.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the colony park (b) one windy afternoon (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
25. 25.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on a busy Monday (b) the sports ground (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
26. 26.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) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) Mangoes keep vanishing from the trees (c) Bananas are left out for the monkey instead
27. 27.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) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
28. 28.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) Homework is left at home (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
29. 29.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.
30. 30.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) Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced. (b) One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. (c) Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all.
31. 31.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.
32. 32.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the garden shed (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) during the Christmas holidays
33. 33.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) Her model volcano will not fizz (b) one breezy evening (c) the backwaters
34. 34.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) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
35. 35.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) A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree. (b) One windy afternoon, Aarav flew his kite in the playground. (c) Aarav thanked Kiran, and the kite flew high again.
36. 36.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) Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window.
37. 37.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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 was too shy to sing in front of the others. (b) On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. (c) Meher sang the whole song and felt brave.
38. 38.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one hot afternoon (b) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (c) the science fair
39. 39.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 boat starts to leak (b) The wrong name is written on a cake (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
40. 40.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) one rainy morning (b) her flat in Pune (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder

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