What the Challenge Was is a free printable Grade 2 English worksheet on linking a character's action to the problem they faced, aligned to Common Core standard RL.2.3. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions, 24 of them with 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 20 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. 24 of these 25 sets ask different questions — this skill does not have 25 questions to give. The rest reorder them, so no two pupils have the same paper in front of them.
What the Challenge Was
RL.2.3
NameDate
Read the story, then answer the questions.
1.Read the text, then answer the questions.
The New Boy
A new boy called Iosif joined the class in November. He did not speak much English yet.
At playtime he stood by the wall. Some children waved. He looked away.
Marta noticed he was watching the football. She rolled the ball to him. He stopped it neatly and rolled it back.
They passed it for ten minutes without saying a word. When the bell went, Iosif said one word: "Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," said Marta.
1. How does Iosif respond at first when children wave?
2. Why did passing the ball work when waving did not?
3. What does Marta do that the others do not?
2.Read the text, then answer the questions.
The Lion and the Mouse
A lion lay sleeping in the sun. A mouse ran across his paw and woke him.
The lion caught the mouse in one hand. "Please let me go," said the mouse. "One day I may help you."
The lion laughed. How could a mouse help a lion? But he opened his hand.
Weeks later the lion walked into a hunter's net. He roared and pulled, and the ropes only tightened.
The mouse heard him. She came at once and gnawed the ropes, one strand at a time, until the lion could step free.
1. How does the lion respond when the mouse asks to be let go?
2. Why did the lion open his hand?
3. What does the mouse do that shows what she is like?
LessonPrint · RL.2.3 · Set 20 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — What the Challenge Was
Set 20. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. He looks away. 2. Passing needed no words, so Iosif could join in without speaking English. 3. She rolls him the ball instead of waving.
2.1. He laughs at the idea, but he opens his hand anyway. 2. The story does not say, but he had laughed at the mouse and let her go anyway. 3. She keeps her promise and comes at once to help.
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RL.2.3 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.