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Problem in a Story Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 3: The problem in a story · Set 971 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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.

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  1. 1.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A boy gets lost in a big crowd (b) one misty dawn (c) her building
  2. 2.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) during the Christmas holidays (b) A puppy has torn a page of a library book (c) his classroom
  3. 3.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 boat starts to leak (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  4. 4.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 bean seed does not sprout (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  5. 5.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) a new school (b) one spring afternoon (c) Homework is left at home
  6. 6.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) The torn page is mended with tape (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  7. 7.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 tiffin box goes missing at lunch time (b) The box is found under the last seat (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  8. 8.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A car tyre goes flat on a long trip (b) on a festive night (c) his rooftop
  9. 9.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on the first day of school (b) the garden shed (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  10. 10.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) a lane in Kochi
  11. 11.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on Science Day (b) his hill village (c) A lift stops between two floors
  12. 12.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.
  13. 13.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) His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea. (b) A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. (c) One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village.
  14. 14.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A baby yak wanders away from the herd (b) on a festive night (c) the front step
  15. 15.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) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  16. 16.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    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 old swing had cracked in two. (b) By noon, Ishaan was swinging high on the new seat. (c) Early one Saturday, Ishaan ran to the colony park.
  17. 17.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.
  18. 18.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on Pongal morning (b) the school hall (c) A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  19. 19.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) Zoya gave it back, and Aunt Lata thanked her warmly. (b) Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring. (c) On a festive night, Zoya danced in the wedding hall.
  20. 20.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) On a crowded evening, Vihaan went to the city fair. (b) In five minutes, Vihaan’s dad came running to him. (c) He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.
  21. 21.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) An aunt loses a gold earring (b) on a hot summer night (c) the hill road
  22. 22.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 puppy has torn a page of a library book (b) The baby bird is put back in the nest (c) A baby bird falls out of its nest
  23. 23.Read the story. What is the problem in it?
    One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. Her train was three hours late. Fatima opened her bag and found a book of puzzles. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend.
    (a) Solving puzzles together passes the time (b) A train is three hours late (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  24. 24.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) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (b) His running shoes are the wrong size (c) The shoes are swapped back
  25. 25.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) A marble rolls into a deep drain
  26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence shows the problem?
    One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain. Tanmay could not reach it with his arm or a stick. His sister Gita stuck clay on a stick and lifted it out. Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe.
    (a) One breezy evening, Tanmay played marbles in the back yard. (b) Tanmay thanked Gita and kept his marble safe. (c) His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  27. 27.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the village square (b) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) on a Tuesday evening
  28. 28.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.
  29. 29.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) on Annual Day (b) the wedding hall (c) A new girl has no friends at lunch
  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) Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief. (c) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  31. 31.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) the wedding hall (b) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank (c) on Craft Day
  32. 32.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 boat starts to leak (b) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out (c) A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
  33. 33.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) Wind blows away the rangoli powder (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) She is too shy to sing in front of others
  34. 34.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) The cricket ball splashes into a pond (c) Homework is left at home
  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 bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) A kite gets stuck high up in a tree (c) A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  36. 36.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) Blue paint spills over a poster (b) the front step (c) one misty dawn
  37. 37.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) Mud splashes all over a white uniform (b) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers (c) Nobody buys anything from the stall
  38. 38.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A boat starts to leak (b) the art room (c) one spring afternoon
  39. 39.Every story needs a problem. Which of these is a problem? (a) A bean seed does not sprout (b) the sports ground (c) during a dry summer
  40. 40.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) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) An aunt loses a gold earring

Answer key

  1. A boy gets lost in a big crowd
  2. A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  3. The seat of the park swing has cracked
  4. A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  5. Homework is left at home
  6. A puppy has torn a page of a library book
  7. A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  8. A car tyre goes flat on a long trip
  9. Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  10. A snake is curled up in a shed
  11. A lift stops between two floors
  12. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach!
  13. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd.
  14. A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  15. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing.
  16. The seat of the old swing had cracked in two.
  17. Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”.
  18. A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time
  19. Aunt Lata cried out that she had lost a gold earring.
  20. He stopped to watch a juggler and lost his dad.
  21. An aunt loses a gold earring
  22. A baby bird falls out of its nest
  23. A train is three hours late
  24. His running shoes are the wrong size
  25. The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  26. His lucky blue marble rolled into a deep drain.
  27. The cricket ball splashes into a pond
  28. A strong gust blew the kite into the top of a neem tree.
  29. A new girl has no friends at lunch
  30. Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat.
  31. A kitten is stuck behind a water tank
  32. A puppy is shivering in the cold rain
  33. Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  34. Homework is left at home
  35. A kite gets stuck high up in a tree
  36. Blue paint spills over a poster
  37. Nobody buys anything from the stall
  38. A boat starts to leak
  39. A bean seed does not sprout
  40. An aunt loses a gold earring

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