Runner – Chapters 1–3 Comprehension Questions

The narrator of the story is described as having what kind of home life?

• A troubled and unhappy home life

• A joyful and supportive home life

• A wealthy and luxurious home life

• A quiet and solitary home life

We learn the following about Chance’s father in the first chapter:

• He is absent from Chance’s life.

• He is a famous musician.

• He is a strict disciplinarian.

• He is a teacher at Chance’s school.

Chance runs every morning at Discovery Park because:

• he wants to stay healthy.

• he is training for a marathon.

• he enjoys the scenery.

• he meets friends there.

Chance’s relationship with his classmates at school is:

• friendly and positive

• distant and unfriendly

• competitive and hostile

• indifferent and uninterested

Chance is worried about money because:

• he does not have enough to pay for something important.

• he won the lottery and is unsure what to do.

• he found extra money and is confused.

• he is planning a vacation.

Chance’s thoughts about school and teachers reveal that he values:

• independence and self-direction over traditional education.

• strict discipline and authority.

• memorization over understanding.

• competition among students.

Chance feels a certain way about his father’s unemployment. What evidence from the text supports this feeling?

• Chance feels worried about his father’s unemployment, as shown by his concern in the text.

• Chance feels happy about his father’s unemployment, as he enjoys spending more time together.

• Chance feels indifferent about his father’s unemployment, showing no reaction in the text.

• Chance feels angry about his father’s unemployment, blaming his father for their situation.

Chance prefers running alone instead of being around people because:

• he enjoys solitude and finds peace in being alone.

• he wants to win races against himself.

• he dislikes running altogether.

• he is training for a team event.

The author wants us to understand that Chance’s sense of responsibility is:

• strong and genuine.

• careless and indifferent.

• forced by others.

• confused and uncertain.

What does the word “resentment” mean in this sentence from Chapter 2? “There was a quiet resentment in the air every time I walked into the apartment.”

• A feeling of anger or displeasure about something unfair

• A sense of excitement and joy

• A feeling of confusion and uncertainty

• A sense of relief and comfort