Question

The alarm broke the dark silence with its painful squeal. Jessica extended a tired arm and slapped the snooze button like it was a pesky housefly. Time to get up? No, thought Jessica. She knew in her head that she could stay in bed for exactly 4.25 more minutes before starting her shower. The shower would take only 5 minutes, and her hair would only take 15 minutes to dry, mostly while she dressed.
4.25 minutes passed, and Jessica hopped out of her comfy bed. As she waited for her shower water to warm up, she went downstairs and placed a bagel in the oven. She had this routine down. She

Answer 1

She would grab her bagel and her backpack, kiss her mother goodbye, and casually walk to the bus stop. If she timed it right—and she always timed it right—she would arrive just as the bus was rounding the corner to her stop.
Jessica kissed her mother and told her she loved her. Right on schedule, just like always, Jessica opened the front door. Something was wrong.
The grass had grown almost overnight, covering the walkway to where the sidewalk used to be. Instead of a sidewalk, a dark, menacing river of mud flowed as if it were a moat around her house. The normally blue sky was a deep red, and all the birds were black as midnight.
Jessica didn't know whether to go back inside, or stay on schedule. Something was messing up her routine. Something creepy had happened in her neighborhood last night, and she couldn't figure out what it was. One thing was for certain. Jessica was going to find out.
adapted from "The Day the Clocks Stopped" by D. U. Derino

Answer 2

11.
Which statement best summarizes the theme of this selection?

The school bus does not always arrive on time.
Things do not always work out as planned.
Mothers do not always warn their children.
You should not walk outside with wet hair.

Answer 3

Things do not always work out as planned.