Conflict | Year 7 | Grasp English

💡Understand

Conflict is the central struggle or problem driving a story forward — without it, there is usually no real plot at all. Conflict can be EXTERNAL (a character struggling against another character, nature, or society) or INTERNAL (a character struggling within themselves, such as with fear, doubt, or a difficult decision). Many strong stories combine both types, and how a conflict is resolved often reveals a text's central theme.

“She wanted desperately to accept the job abroad, but couldn't bear the thought of leaving her ageing mother behind.”

This is an internal conflict — a struggle happening entirely within the character's own mind, between ambition and family loyalty. There's no external villain or obstacle here; the tension comes purely from the character's own competing desires.

🔍Spot it

Identify the type of conflict shown in each example.

Question 1

The two neighbours had argued over the boundary fence for years, each refusing to back down.

💡 This is a direct struggle between two people — a classic external, character-versus-character conflict.

Question 2

He knew the honest answer would hurt his friend, but staying silent felt like its own kind of betrayal.

💡 This is a struggle happening within the character's own mind, weighing honesty against loyalty — an internal conflict.

Question 3

The climbers fought against the mountain's brutal winds and thinning air with every step upward.

💡 This is a struggle against the natural environment — a character-versus-nature external conflict.

🧠Think about it

Why might a story combine BOTH an external conflict (like a physical challenge) and an internal conflict (like self-doubt) at the same time, rather than using just one?

✍️Try it

Identify the type of conflict present.

Torn between loyalty to her country and love for a man from the opposing side, she lay awake every night, unable to choose.

Question 1

What type of conflict is this?

💡 The struggle is entirely within her own mind — no external opponent is directly acting against her in this moment.

📝Practise

Identify the type of conflict in each example.

Question 1

A sailor battles a violent storm at sea, struggling to keep his ship afloat. What type of conflict?

Question 2

A character secretly disagrees with the unfair rules of her strict community, but fears the consequences of speaking out. What type of conflict?

Question 3

Two business partners fight bitterly over the direction of their company. What type of conflict?

Question 4

In one word (or short phrase), what type of conflict happens entirely within a character's own mind?

💡 See the Understand section's example.

Question 5

Why is conflict often described as 'driving a story forward'?

Question 6

How can the way a conflict is resolved reveal a text's theme?

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

The young engineer knew the bridge design was flawed — she could see it in the numbers, plain as day. But speaking up meant challenging her supervisor publicly, risking her entire career over a concern others dismissed as excessive caution. Night after night, she weighed silence against speaking the truth, until finally, the morning of the safety review, she stood and spoke anyway.

Question 1

What internal conflict does the engineer face?

💡 Look at the phrase 'she weighed silence against speaking the truth'.

Question 2

Is there also an implied external conflict in this passage?

Question 3

Quote the phrase describing what the engineer risked by speaking up.

💡 It appears in the second sentence, describing what's at stake.

🏆Challenge

Explain in two or three sentences how this passage's resolution — the engineer choosing to speak despite the risk — might connect to a wider theme about integrity or courage.

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

External conflict refers to...

Question 2

Internal conflict refers to...

Question 3

Why might a story combine internal and external conflict?