Elementary School Reading Quiz: Identify Who Is Telling Story
20 questions · exam conditions
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Identify Who Is Telling StoryQuestion 1 of 20

Read the story. Keisha and Maya built a tower with blocks. Keisha stacked the square blocks at the bottom. Maya placed a triangle block at the top. The tower wobbled, and they held it steady. Then it fell down, and they giggled. Keisha and Maya started again with even more blocks. Who is telling this story?

Keisha and Maya
Someone outside the story
Maya
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Elementary School Reading Quiz

Elementary School Reading Quiz: Identify Who Is Telling Story

Practice Identify Who Is Telling Story in Elementary School Reading with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Identify Who Is Telling Story, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Elementary School Reading.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Read the story. Keisha and Maya built a tower with blocks. Keisha stacked the square blocks at the bottom. Maya placed a triangle block at the top. The tower wobbled, and they held it steady. Then it fell down, and they giggled. Keisha and Maya started again with even more blocks. Who is telling this story?

  1. Keisha and Maya
  2. Someone outside the story (correct answer)
  3. Maya
Explanation: We look for the storyteller. The story says "Keisha and Maya built." Someone outside watches and tells their story.

Question 2

Amir looked at the tall slide at recess, and he felt a little nervous at first. Amir thought, "I can try one step." He climbed up slowly and held the rail, and then he slid down and laughed loudly. Amir ran back to the line for another turn.

Who is telling this story?

  1. Amir
  2. Narrator (correct answer)
  3. The slide
Explanation: Narrator is correct because the story is written about Amir from outside his own words, like someone watching and telling what happened. Amir is a character in the story, not the one telling it. The slide is an object in the story and cannot tell a story at all. Only a narrator can be the one sharing what Amir did.

Question 3

Read the story. I am Whiskers the cat. I tiptoed into the kitchen very quietly. I saw my bowl and sniffed the food. I heard my owner say, "Good morning, Whiskers." I purred and rubbed against her leg. Then I ate my breakfast fast. Who is telling the story?

  1. Someone telling about a cat
  2. The owner
  3. Whiskers the cat (correct answer)
Explanation: We find who tells the story. Whiskers says "I am Whiskers the cat." The cat uses "I" to tell his own story.

Question 4

I took my son Marcus to the library. We picked two books about space. Marcus whispered, "Look at the big rocket!" I helped him find a quiet table. We read together until it was time to go. I felt proud of him.

Who is telling the story?

  1. Marcus
  2. The librarian
  3. Marcus's parent (correct answer)
Explanation: We find who tells the story. The person says "I took my son Marcus." Marcus's parent tells the story using "I" and "my."

Question 5

Yuki and her grandma baked muffins together. Yuki mixed the batter while Grandma watched. They put the pan in the oven and waited. When the muffins were done, they shared one warm muffin each.

Who is telling this story?

  1. Yuki, the girl baking muffins
  2. Grandma, who watched Yuki bake
  3. Someone who is not a character in the story (correct answer)
Explanation: The story tells what both Yuki and Grandma do, so the person telling it is not one of them. Choice A is wrong because Yuki is a character the story is about. Choice B is wrong because Grandma is also a character in the story, not the one telling it.

Question 6

Read the story. My name is Keisha. I packed my lunch in a brown bag. I walked to school with my brother. At recess, I played tag with Maya. I felt fast when I ran. I smiled all the way home. Who is telling the story?

  1. Keisha (correct answer)
  2. Maya
  3. Someone outside the story
Explanation: We find who tells the story. Keisha says "My name is Keisha" at the start. When someone says "I" and "my," they tell the story.

Question 7

I am Whiskers the cat. I tiptoed into the kitchen quietly. I smelled warm fish on a plate. I sat and waited by the chair. My person gave me a tiny bite. I purred and rubbed my head on her leg.

Read the story. Who is telling this story?

  1. The author
  2. Someone outside the story
  3. Whiskers the cat (correct answer)
  4. The person in the kitchen
Explanation: Whiskers the cat is telling the story, since the storyteller says 'I am Whiskers the cat' at the very start. 'The author' is a different idea from the character speaking inside the story. 'Someone outside the story' does not fit, since the storyteller is a character inside it. 'The person in the kitchen' refers to Whiskers's owner, not the one telling the story.

Question 8

Read the story.

Sofia and Jamal built a tall block tower together. Sofia handed Jamal the blue blocks first. Jamal stacked the blocks very carefully and slowly. The tower wobbled, but it did not fall. They cheered and clapped for their hard work. Then they built a smaller tower beside it.

Who is telling this story?

  1. Sofia
  2. Jamal
  3. Someone outside the story (correct answer)
Explanation: We check who tells this story. It says "Sofia and Jamal built" not "We built." No one says "I" in the story. Someone else watches and tells us.

Question 9

Carlos carried his lunchbox to the picnic table, and he saw Maya waving by the big oak tree. Carlos said, "Hi, Maya!" and sat down, and Maya opened her apple slices and smiled. They shared crackers and talked about recess, and then Carlos and Maya threw a soft ball.

Who is telling this story?

  1. Carlos
  2. Maya
  3. Narrator (correct answer)
  4. The oak tree
Explanation: Narrator is correct because the story is told about Carlos and Maya from outside their own words. Carlos and Maya are both characters in the story, not the ones telling it. The oak tree is an object in the story and cannot tell a story. Only a narrator can share what Carlos and Maya did.

Question 10

Read the story. I took my daughter Maya to the farmers market. We bought apples, bread, and bright flowers. Maya held my hand near the music. She said, "This smells so good!" I laughed and carried our bag home. Who is telling the story?

  1. Maya's parent (correct answer)
  2. The reader
  3. Maya
Explanation: We find who tells the story. The person says "I took my daughter Maya." Maya's parent uses "I" and "my daughter."

Question 11

My name is Sofia. I built a snowman in my yard. I gave it a carrot nose and two rocks. My dad took a picture, and I waved. Then I drank warm cocoa and smiled.

Who is telling the story?

  1. Sofia's snowman
  2. Sofia (correct answer)
  3. Sofia's dad
Explanation: Choice B is correct because the story is told using 'I,' and the narrator says her name is Sofia. Choice A is incorrect because a snowman cannot tell a story. Choice C is incorrect because Sofia's dad only appears taking a picture; he is not the one speaking. Readers should look for who says 'I' in the story.

Question 12

Read the story.

My name is Keisha, and I planted a tiny seed. I poked a small hole in the soft dirt. I dropped the seed in and covered it gently. Then I gave it a little drink of water. I put the pot by the sunny window. I smiled and waited for a sprout.

Who is telling this story?

  1. Keisha (correct answer)
  2. Someone outside the story
  3. The seed
Explanation: We find who tells the story. Keisha says "My name is Keisha." She uses "I" words like "I planted." Keisha tells her own story.

Question 13

Carlos walked to the library after school. He carried two books in his backpack. He said hello to the librarian at the desk. Then he found a quiet chair and began to read.

Who is telling the story?

  1. Someone who is not a character in the story (correct answer)
  2. Carlos, the boy at the library
  3. The librarian, who worked at the desk
Explanation: The story tells what both Carlos and the librarian do, so the person telling it is not one of them. Choice B is wrong because Carlos is the boy the story is about. Choice C is wrong because the librarian is also a character in the story, not the one telling it.

Question 14

Read the story. My name is Keisha. I packed my lunch in a blue bag. I walked to school with my dad. I saw my friend Maya at the gate. I said, "Hi, Maya!" and waved. I felt happy to start my day. Who is telling this story?

  1. Maya
  2. Keisha (correct answer)
  3. Someone outside the story
Explanation: We find who tells the story. Keisha says "My name is Keisha" at the start. She uses "I" words like "I packed" and "I walked."

Question 15

Read the story. I am Fluffy the rabbit. I hopped under the tall green bush. I found a crunchy carrot on the ground. I nibbled it slowly and looked around. Then I ran back to my burrow. I felt safe at home. Who is telling the story?

  1. The carrot
  2. Fluffy the rabbit (correct answer)
  3. Someone outside the story
Explanation: We find the storyteller. Fluffy says "I am Fluffy the rabbit." The rabbit uses "I" to tell his own story.

Question 16

Sofia and Keisha played jump rope at recess, and Sofia counted, "One, two, three," very loudly. Keisha laughed and jumped even higher, and they took turns holding the rope. Then the bell rang, and they walked inside.

Who is telling the story?

  1. Sofia
  2. Narrator (correct answer)
  3. Keisha
Explanation: Narrator is correct because the story is told about Sofia and Keisha from outside their own words. Sofia is a character in the story, not the one telling it. Keisha is also a character, not the one telling the story. Only a narrator can share what Sofia and Keisha did.

Question 17

Read the story. I am Whiskers the cat. I tiptoed into the kitchen this morning. I heard a bag crinkle on the table. I jumped up and sniffed the treats. Then I purred and rubbed my head on the chair. Who is telling the story?

  1. The treats
  2. Someone outside the story
  3. Whiskers the cat (correct answer)
Explanation: We find who tells the story. The cat says "I am Whiskers the cat." When someone says "I am," they tell the story.

Question 18

Read the story. I am Whiskers the cat. I tiptoed into the kitchen very quietly. I saw a bowl of milk on the floor. I lapped the milk and purred softly. Then I curled up on a warm mat. I felt cozy and safe at home. Who is telling this story?

  1. Whiskers the cat (correct answer)
  2. Someone telling about a cat
  3. The bowl of milk
Explanation: We find who tells the story. The cat says "I am Whiskers the cat." Whiskers uses "I" to tell his own story.

Question 19

Read the story. I am Fluffy the rabbit. I hopped across the soft grass in the morning. I found three carrots near the garden fence. I nibbled the carrots and twitched my nose. Then I dashed back to my burrow quickly. I felt safe when I heard birds singing. Who is telling this story?

  1. Fluffy the rabbit (correct answer)
  2. The birds
  3. Someone telling about a rabbit
Explanation: We find who tells the story. The rabbit says "I am Fluffy the rabbit." Fluffy uses "I" to tell his own story.

Question 20

Read the story. Amir looked at the big dog near the fence. He felt a little scared at first. The dog wagged its tail and sat down. Amir thought, "Maybe this dog is friendly." He petted the dog softly on its head. Then Amir smiled when the dog licked him. Who is telling this story?

  1. The author
  2. Amir
  3. The dog
  4. Someone outside the story (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests CCSS.RL.1.6: identifying who is telling the story at various points in a text. Students must determine the narrator—who is speaking the words of the story. The narrator is who tells the story—who is speaking the words. There are two main types: (1) A character in the story tells it, using 'I,' 'me,' 'my' (first person). Example: 'I went to the park' means a character is telling about themselves. (2) Someone outside the story tells it, using character names and 'he,' 'she,' 'they' (third person). Example: 'Emma went to the park' means someone else is telling about Emma. In this story, the narrator is someone outside the story. We know because the story uses Amir and 'he,' 'its,' so someone outside the story is telling about the characters. Choice C is correct because the story uses Amir and 'he,' which shows someone outside the story is narrating about Amir, not Amir telling it themselves. Choice A is incorrect because although the story is about Amir, Amir doesn't say 'I'—someone else tells about Amir. Students choosing this may have confused the character the story is about with who tells it. To help students identify the narrator: Look for clue words. If the story uses 'I,' 'me,' 'my,' 'we': A character in the story is telling it (find who says 'I'). If the story uses character names and 'he,' 'she,' 'they': Someone outside the story is telling it. Practice: 'I am Emma. I went to the park.' → Emma is telling (she says 'I'). 'Emma went to the park. She played.' → Someone else is telling about Emma (uses 'Emma' and 'she'). Ask: 'Who is speaking these words? Who says I?' Teach the difference between author (person who wrote the book) and narrator (voice telling the story). Watch for: Students who say the character's name for third person when the character is not the narrator, students who confuse a character speaking in dialogue with the narrator, students who don't recognize 'I' means the character is the narrator, students who say 'the author' thinking that's who tells the story (author creates it, narrator speaks it).