Mayra sat at the front of the classroom, enjoying a sandwich. She glanced at Stella, who was sitting nearby listening to music through her earphones. Then Mayra gave Stella's shoulder a little shove. Still chewing her sandwich, Mayra asked, "La, have you done your math homework yet?" "Yep," Stella replied briefly. Mayra immediately stopped chewing and stared at Stella in surprise. "Seriously? You actually did it? Usually, you don't do your math homework," Mayra said, unable to believe it. "I don't know. Maybe it's a miracle," Stella replied as she took off her earphones.
After Stella said that, Mayra nodded and then asked, "So you finished that math homework? Hey, can I get your answer sheet, please?" "Sure, okay," Stella replied, motioning for Mayra to come into the classroom. Mayra quickly copied the homework answers. She managed to copy Stella's answer sheet just in time.
Then their friend Riko came over and asked whether the two of them had finished their math homework. "Hey, have you two done your math homework yet?" Riko asked, panicking. "Why haven't you done it yet?" Stella asked in a teasing tone. "Nope," Riko answered with a nod. Then he asked them to give him their answer sheet. "Hey, let me get your answer sheet," Riko said with a grin. Stella and Mayra immediately muttered to themselves, "I knew it."
Stella then handed her book to Riko. Riko hurriedly copied the homework answers because break was almost over. Not long afterward, the class bell rang. Riko managed to copy the answers just in time and returned Stella's book.
The students quickly returned to their seats. Not long afterward, Mr. Yanto entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers. "Good afternoon, everyone," Mr. Yanto greeted them. "Good afternoon, sir," all the students replied in unison. Mr. Yanto smiled as he placed the papers on the desk. "I have a surprise for you today."
The students looked at one another curiously. Some of them began guessing what the surprise might be. "The surprise is... I'm giving you a pop quiz." The classroom instantly erupted in an uproar. "Huh? A pop quiz, sir?" several students cried at once. "Sir, can't we do it another day?" one student protested. "Yeah, sir. We're not ready," another student chimed in.
"Ugh... A pop quiz, and I haven't studied yet. I hope I can at least get the passing grade," Mayra muttered, holding her head.
Mr. Yanto raised his hand, signaling for the class to quiet down. "I know you haven't studied. However, this quiz is meant to find out how well you understand the material, not just whether you've memorized it. So don't panic. Do the best you can."
Although a few quiet complaints could still be heard, no one argued anymore. Mr. Yanto remained firm. "All right, clear your desks now. Only writing utensils may remain on them," he added.
All the students began clearing their desks. Mr. Yanto started handing out the question sheets one by one. The classroom, which had been noisy at first, fell silent. Everyone began working on the quiz with full concentration.
Time continued to pass. The hands on the wall clock showed that the quiz was almost over. The atmosphere in the classroom grew more tense. Some students began erasing their answers, some lowered their heads and thought hard, and others still stared at the questions in panic.
"This last question is so hard..." Riko muttered as he scratched his head.
At the front of the classroom, Mr. Yanto checked his watch and stood up. "All right, you have one minute left. Finished or not, hand it in," he said firmly.
Hearing that, all the students rushed even more. The sound of pens scraping across paper filled the room. Before the minute was even up, Mr. Yanto suddenly began walking around the classroom with a folder. "Time's up. Turn in your quiz sheets now."
The classroom instantly grew chaotic. "Huh, sir? Just a little longer!" Marvin shouted. "Sir, I only have one question left!" Vania said in a panic. Riko's eyes widened. He hadn't even finished the last two questions. "Sir, don't take it yet," he said.
But Mr. Yanto continued walking. He began collecting the quiz sheets from the students' desks one by one, even though many of them were still hurriedly writing their answers. "Sir, I'm not finished!" several students complained almost at once.
Mr. Yanto paused for a moment, then said calmly, "During a test, managing your time is also a skill you need to practice. Once time is up, you have to stop working." With disappointed faces, the students slowly handed in their quiz sheets. Riko stared at his incomplete paper. "Ugh... my grade is screwed," he muttered.
When Mr. Yanto returned to the front of the classroom carrying all the answer sheets, the atmosphere shifted into a mix of resignation, disappointment, and curiosity about whether the answers they'd managed to write would be enough to earn them good grades.