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How a Story Opens is a free printable Grade 2 English worksheet on what the beginning of a story sets up, aligned to Common Core standard RL.2.5. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 8 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

How a Story Opens

RL.2.5

NameDate

Read the story, then answer the questions.

1.Read the text, then answer the questions.

The Kite in the Elm

Sami's kite caught in the top of the elm on the very first day. He tried throwing a ball at it. He tried a long stick. He tried shaking the trunk with both arms. The kite stayed exactly where it was. His sister Rana came out with a bucket and a length of washing line. She tied the line to the bucket handle, threw the bucket over the branch, and pulled. The branch bent. The kite slid off and dropped into the grass. "How did you know that would work?" said Sami. "I didn't," said Rana.

  1. 1. How does the ending conclude the action?
  2. 2. How does the beginning set up the story?
2.Read the text, then answer the questions.

Rain on the Roof

Rain on the roof, rain on the road, rain on the back of a slow brown toad. Rain on the window, rain on the pane, rain on the roses, rain, rain, rain. Rain in the gutter, rain in the drain, rain till the puddle is deep as a lane. Rain on the roof, rain on the road — and out comes the sun for the slow brown toad.

  1. 1. How many verses does this poem have?
  2. 2. How does the last verse change from the first?

LessonPrint · RL.2.5 · Set 8 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — How a Story Opens

Set 8. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. The kite is down and Rana admits she did not know it would work. 2. The kite gets caught on the very first day, so the whole story is about getting it back.
  2. 2.1. Four verses. 2. It repeats the first line, then the sun comes out instead of more rain.

More practice for RL.2.5

Describe how a story opens and how it closes.

Teaching this next? How a Story Begins and Ends is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 2 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RL.2.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.