Ten-year-old Leo slammed his locker shut, the loud metallic echo ringing down the hallway of Oakridge Elementary.
It was a Friday afternoon in mid-March, a time when the Chicago breeze usually brought the promise of spring soccer. But today, the air in the building felt heavy.
Whispers had been flying around all day about a new virus, and the morning news had been a blur of empty store shelves and medical experts in white coats.
His best friend, Marcus, jogged up beside him. "Did you hear? Mr. Davis said they might close school for two whole weeks!"
"Two weeks?" Leo’s eyes widened.
For a moment, a spark of excitement flickered in his chest. He imagined a life with no morning alarms, no grueling math quizzes, and endless hours to level up in his favorite video games
However, as he looked toward the main office, the spark died. The teachers weren't laughing about a vacation; they were gathered in hushed circles, their faces tight with a look of worry Leo had never seen before.
The final bell didn't signal freedom. Instead, Mr. Davis stood by the door, handing out thick stacks of worksheets that felt like heavy bricks in Leo's hands.
"Pack up everything," Mr. Davis said with a tired, forced smile. "Your art supplies, your library books, even your favorite gym shoes. Take it all home... just in case."
Walking home, the neighborhood was eerily silent.
The usual sounds of barking dogs and slamming car doors were gone. Leo watched a neighbor, clad in blue plastic gloves, scrub a front door handle with a disinfectant wipe that left a sharp, stinging scent in the cold air.
Inside his house, the television was already on. The governor was announcing a "stay-at-home" order to keep the community safe.
The reality of the situation hit Leo that evening at the kitchen table. A notification chimed on his mother’s phone—an email from his soccer coach.
The upcoming tournament, the one he had practiced for all winter, was "paused indefinitely"
He looked at his framed team photo, then at the bin of school supplies he had just packed.
"Mom," Leo asked, his voice small. "What if two weeks turns into a lot longer? What if we don't go back at all?"
His mother sat beside him and placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.
"It’s scary because everything is changing at once, Leo," she said softly. "But staying apart right now is how we take care of our neighbors. It’s a different way of being a team. We are going to adapt, together."
Leo looked out the window at the empty street.
He realized the "two-week break" wasn't a vacation—it was a turning point in history. He reached into his bin and pulled out a fresh, blank notebook. He didn't know when he would see Marcus or a soccer field again, but he decided right then to write it all down.
He wanted to remember how his community stood strong, even when the hallways were quiet.
What is the setting of this story? (Time and place)
What historical event is this historical fiction story based on?
1. What is the best summary of the story? (TEKS 5.7.D))
Which point of view does the author use in "The Quiet Hallways"? (TEKS 5.10(E))
Read the following text from the story:
Inside his house, the television was already on. The governor was announcing a "stay-at-home" order to keep the community safe.
The reality of the situation hit Leo that evening at the kitchen table. A notification chimed on his mother’s phone—an email from his soccer coach.
The upcoming tournament, the one he had practiced for all winter, was "paused indefinitely"
He looked at his framed team photo, then at the bin of school supplies he had just packed.
"Mom," Leo asked, his voice small. "What if two weeks turns into a lot longer? What if we don't go back at all?"
They are important to the plot because they — (TEKS 5.8(C))
Read this sentence from paragraph 9.
"It's scary because it's new, but staying home is how we take care of our neighbors and keep everyone healthy."
This sentence suggests that Leo’s mother believes — (TEKS 5.6(F))
Which sentence from the story shows that Leo’s initial reaction to school closing changed as he observed the adults around him? (TEKS 5.7(C))
In the text, the word grueling means — (TEKS 5.3(B))
In the text, the word reassuring refers to an action that is meant to — (TEKS 5.3(B))
In paragraph 7, the word indefinitely refers to something that — (TEKS 5.3(B))
Which sentence best describes the relationship between Leo and his mother? (TEKS 5.8(B))
At the beginning of the story, the interaction between Leo and Marcus shows that both boys — (TEKS 5.8(B))