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Daily 
Warm-Up
6
Fiction: Mystery/Suspense/Adventure
Reaching for the Heights
Andrea took her time descending from the fifty-year-
old cherry tree in the vacant lot. The leafy giant held far 
more intrigue for her than the abandoned building on 
the property. Most of her friends had outgrown tree 
climbing, if they had ever had an interest. Granted, the 
kids she knew who had climbed trees had never 
reached the heights she dared. Hopping down, she 
hurried to make it to school before the tardy bell rang.
During lunch break, Andrea had a hard time making a 
decision. She was sure she could get a pick-up game of 
Ultimate Frisbee going, but the drain pipe behind the 
oak tree at the end of the classroom wing had been 
calling to her since she’d discovered it the 
previous week.
“What does she think she’s doing? Wonder if we should 
alert the janitor and let her get caught.” Andrea caught 
snatches of conversation as she stealthily approached 
her latest climbing target.
“Beats me, although I wish I were that agile and good at 
climbing.” Gavin shrugged his shoulders and sauntered 
toward the baseball diamond.
“Why?” Ian didn’t understand his friend’s needs for 
challenge and excitement.
Andrea found it difficult at times to ignore the boys’ 
taunts, although at other times, they made good 
comrades for her adventurous spirit. Her friends didn’t 
realize she had goals that went far beyond climbing 
whatever was handy. Occasionally, Andrea dreamed of 
the future: a time when she would climb trees and 
ladders and slide down poles, all to rescue people and 
help them in their distress.
Text Questions
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 1 . Which phrase does not give you a clue to Andrea’s personality?
a. the leafy giant
b. had outgrown tree climbing
c. the heights she dared
d. good comrades for her adventurous spirit
 2 . What does Andrea see herself doing in the future?
a. climbing trees and ladders as a firefighter
b. climbing poles in a circus
c. climbing utility poles to fix telephone wires
d. climbing trees as a tree trimmer
 3 . What does the word abandoned mean as it is used in the text?
a. Someone was hiding in the building and watching Andrea.
b. Someone lived on the property, and Andrea was trespassing.
c. Someone had left some things in the building.
d. Someone deserted the building and no longer used it.
 4 . What role do the boys play in the story?
a. They prevent Andrea from reaching her goals.
b. They help Andrea succeed.
c. They provide conflict by sometimes teasing and sometimes joining Andrea.
d. They give wisdom to the main character.
 5 . Based on what you read, what elements of danger are in the story?
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#3658 Daily Warm-Ups: Reading

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