Virginia SOL 2.RL.1.B
The Standard
Identify a story’s central conflict using events from the plot as evidence.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Key Ideas and Plot Details
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify the main problem that drives a story. They use specific plot events to explain how they know it is the main problem.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student clearly states the main problem faced by the character. The student points to two events that introduce, develop, or help solve that problem.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name a minor problem instead of the problem driving the story. They may give personal opinions or character traits rather than plot events as evidence.
How to Assess It
- Read a short story aloud, then ask: “What is the main problem, and which two events show that it is the main problem?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs event cards from a familiar story to sort into problem, attempts to solve it, and solution.
Ask students to write: “The character’s main problem is ___, and I know because ___ happened.”
Play Conflict Detective by reading plot events and awarding a point when teams identify the main problem and cite matching evidence.
Use a playground disagreement scenario and have students identify the main problem, actions taken, and final outcome.
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Printable 2.RL.1.B Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 7.RL.1.B
Analyze how the central conflict and key elements (e.g., exposition, initiating event, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution) impact plot develo...
- 5.RL.1.B
Describe plots in stories as a sequence of events that develops the central conflict and resolution, including initiating events, climax, and resolution.
- 3.RL.1.B
Identify the central conflict and resolution using events from the plot to summarize the text.
- 4.RL.1.B
Describe the central conflict and explain the resolution using an understanding of text structure and events from the plot as evidence.
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