Countdown to Summer (Oxford 3000 Vocabulary Series)

Mark glanced at the clock again. It was almost summer break, and he longed for the lazy rhythm of summer when he could spend time reading comics in his backyard hammock. He was tired of his classmates’ silly schemes, like hiding fake spiders in the library or setting off the fire alarm just as the lunch bell ring. He was even a little scared of what prank they might try today. Just last week, someone hit a walkie-talkie in the lost and found, broadcasting spooky sounds that caused screams and a frantic search during quiet reading time. Mark’s gaze drifted towards the classroom screen, where his teacher, Ms. Evans, was reviewing the school safety scripts for the upcoming summer break. He barely paid attention. He knew this stuff by heart. His summer plans involved anything but school: earning some extra salary at his brother’s bike shop, maybe even building up enough savings to buy that awesome sample pack of vintage video games he’d been eyeing. Mark snapped back to reality as Ms. Evans called his name, asking him to share one safety rule. Flustered, Mark stammered, ‘Um…always wear a helmet when riding your bike?’ Ms. Evans smiled. ‘Good one, Mark.’ ‘Safety is sacred, even during summer vacation.’ Mark nodded, relieved he hadn’t embarrassed himself. He couldn’t wait to trade in these fluorescent-lit classrooms for sunny skies and the freedom of the summer season. He just needed to survive one more day.