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Daily 
Warm-Up
11
Fiction: Contemporary Realism
Runaway
Keyona crouched in the gravel next to the fence, willing 
herself invisible lest any family members should 
wander nearby. This was much more serious than an 
established game of hide and seek, in her opinion. She 
wanted a break from all of them, for an indefinite 
period of time, although she hadn’t considered what 
she might do later, say, at dinnertime or when it got 
dark. It’s not that she was afraid of the dark; she spent 
hours outside and was well acquainted with 
the neighborhood.
She heard rustling sounds behind her, but she hesitated 
before turning to check for the source.
“Hey, it’s me,” her younger brother Rashan whispered.
“Why are you out here?”
She sighed in exasperation, “Just go away and leave me 
alone, okay?” Keyona turned away from him, thinking 
that she needed to find a better destination 
immediately, if not sooner. She would have gone 
farther away initially, if she could have figured out 
where to go. Her temporary plan hadn’t taken into 
consideration anyone seeking her out.
“And don’t tell anyone where I am,” she called to 
Rashan’s retreating back.
Keyona took a deep breath then blew it out. Siblings 
were the primary cause of her departure in the first 
place. Mentally, she listed the reasons: six siblings 
were entirely too many, especially when they were all 
gathered together at the same time; the younger ones 
drove her crazy; and being the middle child left her 
feeling insignificant.
Hoisting her backpack, Keyona debated whether to go 
to her friend’s house, which was three blocks over. She 
slumped down again to think about it. Her friend had 
three brothers and one sister—not exactly an oasis of 
peace and quiet. Often, when visiting, she missed the 
relative peace of home. As she pondered, her older 
brother stepped into the alley and, without a word, 
squatted next to her, his back against the fence.
Text Questions
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 1 . What prompted Keyona’s distress?
a. 
Her entire family had gathered for the afternoon.
b. She wanted time away from too many siblings.
c. She wanted to visit her friend who wasn’t home.
d. Her brothers ganged up on her.
 2 . What does it mean to say Keyona had a temporary plan?
a. She was running away.
b. She hadn’t thought through all the ramifications of the plan.
c. It would last indefinitely without changing.
d. It was a plan she had thought about carefully.
 3 . In what way could Keyona show perseverance in the story?
a. She could talk to Rashan.
b. She could talk things over with her friend.
c. She could return home and show patience with everyone.
d. She could insist on getting her own way.
 4 . Which statement best describes Keyona’s feelings about her family?
a. Being the middle child left her feeling insignificant.
b. The younger ones drove her crazy.
c. She hadn’t planned on anyone seeking her out.
d. She would have gone farther away initially.
 5 . What do you think will happen next in the story? Give reasons to support your answer.
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#3658 Daily Warm-Ups: Reading 
130 
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