Cover of The Fire Drill During Finals

Emeka sits in his final math exam. The room is quiet and full of focus. He works through question six.

A loud alarm suddenly rings through the building. Everyone looks up from their papers. The teacher stands up fast.

"Fire drill," she says. "Leave your papers face down. Line up quietly by the door."

Students grab their jackets and walk outside. Emeka leaves his test face down on his desk. He lines up with his class.

The whole school stands on the front lawn. Some students laugh about the timing. Others look worried about their tests.

"This happens every year," a teacher says. "It never happens during a normal class."

The fire truck arrives and checks the building. Ten minutes pass on the lawn. Then the bell rings again.

Students walk back inside in a long line. Emeka sits back down at his desk. His test paper is still there.

"You get ten extra minutes," his teacher says. "Please finish your last three questions."

Emeka picks up his pencil again. He finishes question six and moves to the next one.

🧠 Check your understanding

  1. What interrupts Emeka's exam?

    Show answer

    Answer: A fire drill

    A loud alarm suddenly rings through the building.

  2. What does the teacher tell students to do with their papers?

    Show answer

    Answer: Leave them face down

    The teacher says to leave the papers face down before lining up.

  3. What happens after the drill?

    Show answer

    Answer: Students get extra time to finish

    The teacher gives everyone ten extra minutes to finish.

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