Download Odyssey-UlyssesReading3.0

Read the following lines spoken by Odysseus to the Phaeacians in the beginning of
The Odyssey and answer questions #1-4.
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“What shall I
say first? What shall I keep until the end?
The gods have tried me in a thousand ways.
But first my name: let that be known to you,
and if I pull away from pitiless death,
friendship will bind us, though my land lies far.
I am Laertes’ son, Odysseus.
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15
20
25
Men hold me
formidable for guile in peace and war:
this fame has gone abroad to the sky’s rim.
My home is on the peaked sea-mark of Ithaca
under Mount Neion’s wind-blown robe of leaves,
in sight of other islands—Dulichium,
Same, wooded Zacynthus—Ithaca
being most lofty in that coastal sea,
and northwest, while the rest lie east and south.
A rocky isle, but good for a boy’s training;
I shall not see on earth a place more dear,
though I have been detained long by Calypso,
loveliest among goddesses, who held me
in her smooth caves, to be her heart’s delight,
as Circe of Aeaea, the enchantress,
desired me, and detained me in her hall.
But in my heart I never gave consent.
Where shall a man find sweetness to surpass
his own home and his parents? In far lands
he shall not, though he find a house of gold.”
1.
How can the tone of this passage be best described? (Standard 3.9)
A
B
C
D
Irate and arrogant
Selfish and foolish
Proud and sad
Confused and sad
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2.
Based upon Odysseus’ comparison of his home on Ithaca (lines 11-18) to the
other places he has been (lines 19-27), which choice below best represents a
theme of this passage? (Standard 3.11)
A
B
C
D
Home is more valuable than anywhere or anything else in the world.
Home should be a good place to train children.
Beautiful goddesses cannot create a sense of home.
Home is where you hang your hat.
3.
Although we still find The Odyssey important today, it was written by Homer,
an ancient Greek poet, over 2500 years ago. Based on the passage from page
1, what best represents what is important to the ancient Greek people?
(Standard 3.12)
A
B
C
D
Family
Beauty
Wealth
Storytelling
4.
The passage on page 1 can be best described as: (Standard 3.1)
A
A narrative story meant to inform the reader about ancient Greek life.
B
A tragedy that shows the hardships related to succeeding in life.
C
An excerpt from an epic poem intended to inform the reader.
D
A comedy that makes serious disasters and problems seem funny.
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2
Read the following story and answer questions #5-7
GOING HOME
Some days, I go to school, and on the
way to school, I think that there is
nowhere else in the world I would rather
be. No matter what time of year it is, I
walk through the neighborhoods, and
every morning, I see the same people I
always see: the tiny old lady walking
what may be the tiniest dog in the world,
the man at the newsstand with the walrus
mustache, the skipping twins on their
way to the bus stop. I don’t know any of
their names or where they live, or what
their favorite foods are, or what they
think about anything, but these are
people I’ve known forever. In a strange
way, I think of them as my friends. The
man at the newsstand says “Buenos dias”
in his deep voice and will sometimes
comment on the weather in Spanish
because years and years ago I told him
that my parents spoke Spanish, too, and
he told me I needed to learn. When it
rains, the old lady with the dog always
scolds me and tells me I should carry an
umbrella.
And school---it’s the same. What
I like best is the routine: homeroom,
English, biology, physical education,
lunch, math, and social studies, then
soccer practice after school. I see the
same people at school every day, sit next
to the same people in my classes, eat
lunch with my same friends. I have
friends I have known as long as I can
remember. It’s as comfortable as being
at home.
My parents moved into our house
before I was born. I know everything
there is to know about our street. The
oak tree in the yard has a tree house that
my father built when I was six. The
sidewalk is cracked in front of our
neighbors’ house from the big
earthquake; we use the uneven pavement
as a skate ramp. If you run past the tall
fence in front of the big white house on
the corner, you can see through the fence
as if it didn’t exist.
At breakfast my parents give each
other a look, and I know something is
going to happen. Before they can say
anything, I want to know what it is all
about.
“Nothing bad,” my father says.
I look at my mother, and she
gives me a smile of reassurance and pats
my shoulder. “You should be happy,
Carlos. This is only good news.” What I
see on their faces is worry.
“We’re going to move,” my
father says.
Today on my way to school I
look at everything as if seeing it for the
first time. The tiny old lady waves at
me; her tiny dog wags its tail and gives a
tiny bark. The man at the newsstand
greets me. The skipping twins almost
run me off the sidewalk, but they veer in
the other direction and race off to the bus
stop. I feel like a different person, a
stranger, someone who really might be
seeing these people for the first time. No
longer are they the familiar landmarks of
my family, I might never see them again,
and I don’t know if it’s loneliness or
grief.
For the first time ever, my school
day is not comfortable. All day long, I
feel constricted and restrained, the way
you feel when it’s winter and you’re
wearing layers of sweaters under your
jacket, and everything feels too tight and
you can’t move. My English teacher’s
voice sounds high pitched and scratchy;
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my friends say the same things they
always do, but today it seems boring; my
lunch tastes like chalk; and my pitches in
P.E. class go wild, as if they have a mind
of their own. In social studies, the
teacher lectures from the chapter we read
the night before, so it’s like knowing
how the movie ends before you sit down
in the theater. Going home from this day
is a relief---until I remember that we’re
moving. I try to imagine living
somewhere else, but all I can see is a
blank space, a question mark, an empty
page. All I know is my life. All I know
is where I live, where I go, what I do
here. I have been other places---I have
visited my grandparents in Texas and my
cousins in Mexico, and once we took a
trip to New York. You can visit
anywhere, but until you walk the same
route to school every day for years, what
do you know? You can know about the
average rainfall and the geographical
landmarks, but where is the best place to
get a milkshake?
My mother comes up to my room
and tells me that my father has gotten a
promotion. That’s why we are moving.
“Don’t you want to know where we’re
going?” she asks.
“Not really,” I say. She tells me
anyway. I pretend not to listen.
Every day, my parents tell me
something about the town that will
become our new home. There is a
bronze statue honoring World War II
veterans in the park downtown. In the
summer, there are rodeos at the county
fair. There is an annual strawberry
festival. The mayor used to be a pro
football player. There are oak trees in
our new neighborhood, just like the one
in our yard.
Images of oak trees and rodeo
clowns and strawberries and statues
begin to fill in the blank space in my
mind. I start wondering what it might be
like to live in this town where the mayor
presides at all the high school games, and
the strawberries are supposed to be the
best in the world.
On the day before we move, I
walk in the same direction as I would if I
were going to school. When I see the
tiny old lady, I tell her good-bye, and she
tells me to carry an umbrella when it
rains. Her tiny dog holds out a tiny paw
to shake my hand. The man at the
newsstand shakes my hand, too. The
twins wave as they board the bus. I go
home, walking slowly through streets
lined with oak trees.
A huge truck is parked in front of
our house. The movers are carrying
boxes while my parents are loading
suitcases into our car. Soon our house
will be empty. But not for long; I know
that somewhere there are parents telling
their children about a town filled with
oak trees, a place where you can get the
best milkshake in the world, a place
where, if you’re lucky, you might see the
same people every day of your life.
5.
In which sentence from the excerpt does the narrator best reveal the impact of
the family moving? (Standard 3.4)
A
B
C
Today on my way to school I look at everything as if seeing it for the first time.
There is a bronze statue honoring World War II veterans in the park downtown.
On the day before we move, I walk in the same direction as I would if I were going
to school.
I have friends I have known for as long as I can remember.
D
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6.
Read the sentence from the selection.
"I know that somewhere there are parents telling their children about a town filled
with oak trees, a place where you can get the best milkshake in the world..."
What makes the preceding statement ironic? (Standard 3.8)
A
B
C
D
7.
The fact that, like the narrator, other children are worried about moving
The fact that, like the people in the narrator's neighborhood, most people enjoy
their homes
The fact that, like the narrator's father, parents often get promotions
The fact that, like the narrator's home, every house has its stories
Which words best describe the mood of the passage on page 4?
(Standard 3.11)
A
Hopeful and nostalgic
B
Angry and resentful
C
Curious and questioning
D
Indifferent and defiant
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5
Read the following poem and answer questions #8-11.
ITHACA
C.P. Cavafy, 1911. Translated by Rae Dalven
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10
15
20
25
30
When you start on your journey to Ithaca,
then pray that road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Lestrygonians
and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.
You will never meet such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet the Lestrygonians,
the Cyclops and the fierce Poseidon,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.
Then pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many,
that you will enter ports seen for the first time
with such pleasure, with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets, and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,
and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can;
visit hosts of Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.
Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for long years;
and even to anchor at the isle when you are old,
rich with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would never have taken the road.
But she has nothing more to give you.
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And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you.
With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.
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8.
The speaker in the poem on page 6 addresses the protagonist as “you.”
Who is the best interpretation of the identity of “you”? (Standard 3.7)
A
B
C
D
Penelope
the reader
modern Greeks
the descendents of
Ulysses/Odysseus
9.
Which quotation best exemplifies the main theme of “Ithaca”?
(Standard 3.11)
A
“…that you will enter ports seen
for the first time/with such pleasure,
with such joy!”
B
“…then pray that the road is long/
full of adventure, full of knowledge.”
C
“Do not fear the Lestrygonians/and
the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.”
D
“And if you find her poor, Ithaca
has not defrauded you.”
10.
The main literary devices that Cavafy uses to organize his poem
are: (Standard 3.7)
A
B
C
D
foreshadowing and metaphor
simile and alliteration
symbolism and extended metaphor
personification and dramatic irony
11.
What is the author’s purpose in “Ithaca”? (Standard 3.9)
A
to create anxiety
B
to convey anger
C
to inform by warning
D
to be sarcastic
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7
Read the following excerpt from
The Adventures of Ulysses and answer questions 12-14.
The Apple of Discord
The Trojan War has its roots in the
marriage between Peleus and Thetis, seagoddess. Peleus and Thetis had not
invited Eris, the goddess of discord, to
their marriage, and the outraged goddess
stormed into the wedding banquet and
threw a golden apple onto the table. The
apple belonged to, Eris said, whomever
was the fairest. Hera, Athena, and
Aphrodite each reached for the apple.
Zeus proclaimed that Paris, prince of
Troy and thought to be the most beautiful
man alive, would act as the judge.
Hermes went to Paris, and Paris agreed
to act as the judge. Hera promised him
power; Athena promised him wisdom;
and Aphrodite promised the most
beautiful woman in the world. Paris
chose Aphrodite, and she promised him
that Helen, wife of Menelaus would be
his wife. Paris then prepared to set off
for Sparta to capture Helen. Twin
prophets Cassandra and Helenus tried to
persuade him against such action, as did
his mother, Hecuba. But Paris would not
listen, and he set off for Sparta.
In Sparta, Menelaus, husband of Helen,
treated Paris as a royal guest. However,
when Menelaus left Sparta to go to a
funeral, Paris abducted Helen (who
perhaps went willingly) and also carried
off much of Menelaus’ wealth. In Troy,
Helen and Paris were married.
12.
What conclusion can be drawn
about the reason Eris storms
into the wedding of Peleus and
Thetis? (Standard 3.3)
A
B
C
D
Eris likes Peleus
Eris smells bad
Eris storms into every wedding
Eris was hurt because she was not
invited
13.
What would best describe Zeus'
purpose in making Paris the
judge of the fairest woman in
the world? (Standard 3.3)
A
Paris’ own beauty would make
him a good judge of beauty.
Zeus just likes Paris a lot.
Zeus hates Paris.
Zeus can do whatever he wants
because he is Zeus.
B
C
D
14.
From this excerpt what did
Athena promise Paris?
(Standard 3.9)
A
B
C
D
wisdom
power
wealth
strength
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Read the following passage and answer questions #15 and #16.
The Trojan Horse
Still seeking to gain entrance into Troy,
clever Odysseus (some say with the aid
of Athena) ordered a large wooden horse
to be built. Its insides were to be hollow
so that soldiers could hide within it.
That night, after most of Troy was asleep
or in a drunken stupor, Sinon let the
Greek warriors out from the horse, and
they slaughtered the Trojans.
Once the statue had been built by the
artist, Epeius, a number of the Greek
warriors, along with Odysseus, climbed
inside. The rest of the Greek fleet sailed
away, so as to deceive the Trojans.
15.
What is ironic about the gift of
the Trojan Horse? (Standard
3.8)
A
There were not enough men
inside the horse to conquer the
enemy.
Gifts usually do not bring harm to
others.
It was too dark for the enemy to
realize what they had received.
A horse is the symbol for
prosperity.
One man, Sinon, was left behind. When
the Trojans came to marvel at the huge
creation, Sinon pretended to be angry
with the Greeks, stating that they had
deserted him.
He assured the Trojans that the wooden
horse was safe and would bring luck to
the Trojans.
Only two people, Laocoon and
Cassandra, spoke out against the horse,
but they were ignored. The Trojans
celebrated what they thought was their
victory, and dragged the wooden horse
into Troy.
B
C
D
16.
Which statement BEST
describes the moral of the
Trojan Horse? (Standard 3.5)
A
B
Never receive a horse as a gift.
Things are not always what they
seem.
Gifts can bring bad luck.
Trojan horses bring death.
C
D
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17.
Consider the following information in this quote:
The Trojan War might not have happened had not Telephus gone to Greece
in the hopes of having his wound cured. Telephus had been told by an oracle that
only the person who wounded him (in this case, Achilles) could cure him.
What makes the above statement about the Trojan War ironic?
(Standard 3.8)
A
B
Most men were wounded during the Trojan War.
Telephus probably would not expect Achilles to cure him since he wounded
Telphus.
C
Telephus was wounded while on his way to Greece.
D
Telephus would later wound Achilles.
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18.
Consider the following information in this quote:
“Dearest son,” said the stranger, his voice broken with tears. “I am your
father, Ulysses.”
Telemachus thought he was being attacked and tensed his muscles, ready to
battle for his life. But when he heard these words and felt the old man’s tears
burning against his face, then his marrow melted, and he laid his head on his
father’s shoulder and wept.
What BEST describes Telemachus’ reaction when Ulysses returned to Ithaca?
(Standard 3.3)
A
Telemachus immediately receives Ulysses with open arms.
B
Telemachus is hesitant at first but then is overjoyed.
C
Telemachus denies Ulysses as his father.
D
Telemachus gets mad at Ulysses for being gone so long.
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19.
Consider the following information in this quote:
He raised his streaming face and said, “Forgive me, gracious king. But the
wonderful voice of your daughter has touched my heart. For you must know that I
am none other than Ulysses, of whom she sings.”
A great uproar broke out. The young men cheered. The women wept. The
king said: “My court is honored, Ulysses. Your deeds are known wherever men
love courage. Now that I know who you are, I put all my power and goods at your
disposal. Name any favor you wish, and it shall be yours.”
Based on the passage on page 10, what can be concluded about how King
Alcinous of Phaeacia feels about Ulysses? (Standard 3.3)
A
King Alcinous is pleased to have Ulysses at his castle
B
King Alcinous thinks that Ulysses is a coward
C
King Alcinous thought that Ulysses died during the Trojan War
D
King Alcinous does not want to help Ulysses get home to Ithaca
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20.
Consider the following information in this quote:
“So Morpheus mixed no colors for Ulysses’ sleep but let him dream his
own dreams and read them as they came…Ulysses awoke, choking, out of a
terrible nightmare. It seemed to him that in his sleep he had seen the whole voyage
laid out before him…Ulysses kept the helm, grim and unsmiling. For he knew that
what he had seen painted on the walls of his sleep was meant to come true and that
he was sailing straight into a nightmare.”
In the above passage, Ulysses’ dreams are an example of which literary
device? (Standard 3.7)
A
B
C
D
personification
simile
foreshadowing
hyperbole
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21.
Consider the following information in this quote:
“Haul anchor and away!” cried Ulysses. And
then called to the Cyclops: “Poor fool! Poor
blinded, drunken, gluttonous fool --- if anyone
else asks you, it is not Nobody, but Ulysses who
has done this to you.”
In the passage above, we can infer that
Ulysses is: (Standard 3.4)
A
a timid man
B
an arrogant man
C
a man with great leadership
D
a bossy man
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22.
Consider the following information in following two quotes:
“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life.”
“…so the Fates, with their shears, have cut out
my destiny.”
The first excerpt above is taken from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It is
followed by a line from the Adventures of Ulysses. Based on these lines, what
theme do both works have in common? (Standard 3.5)
A
freewill
B
fate
C
love
D
death
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23.
Consider the following information in the following quote:
“The sun chased the moon across the bowl of the
sky…”
What literary device is used in the line
above? (Standard 3.7)
A
B
C
D
simile
personification
symbolism
allegory
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24.
The italicized portion on the following quote is an example of which literary
term? (Standard 3.7)
I must find my way back to Ithaca past the mighty wrath of a god who reaches his
strong hand and swirls the sea as a child does a mud puddle . . .
A
Personification
B
Simile
C
Hyperbole
D
Metaphor
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25.
Read the following speech spoken by Odysseus. Which of the following
character traits best describe Odysseus from this passage? (Standard 3.4)
“O great gods upon Olympus – thunder-wielding Zeus and wise
Athene, earth-shaking Poseidon, whom I have offended, golden Apollo –
hear my prayer. For ten years I fought in Troy and for ten more years have
wandered the sea, been hounded from island to island, battered by storms,
swallowed by tides. My ships have been wrecked, my men killed. But you
have granted me life. Now, I pray you, take back the gift. Let me join my
men in Tartarus. For if I cannot return home, if I have to be kept here a
prisoner of Calypso while my kingdom is looted, my son slain, and my
wife stolen, then I do not wish to live. Allow me to go home, or strike me
dead on the spot.”
A
B
C
D
Suicidal and angry
Proud and arrogant
Hopeful and confidant
Humbled and regretful
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26.
The following lines of The Odyssey, which are spoken by Homer, are the first
lines of the story (also known as the invocation).
What is Homer’s purpose for writing the following lines? Choose the best
answer. (Standard 3.1)
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Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story
of that man skilled in all ways of contending,
the wanderer, harried for years on end,
after he plundered the stronghold
on the proud height of Troy.
A
To ask for inspiration from the Muse and capture the audience’s attention.
B
To introduce Odysseus and persuade his audience to sing a song.
C
To ask the Muse to sing a song and create sympathy for Troy.
D
To glorify the plundering of Troy and convince the Muse to tell a story.
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27.
Based on the following passage, what can the reader infer about the influence
of the Sirens on Ulysses? (Standard 3.3)
The voices of the Sirens purled in a cool crystal pool upon their rock past the
blue hot flatness of the sea and its lacings of white-hot spume. It seemed to him he
could actually see their voices deepening into a silvery, cool pool and must plunge
into that pool or die a flaming death.
A
The Sirens are so loud that they make Ulysses go crazy.
B
The Sirens are colorful and pleasing to the eye.
C
The Sirens song is irresistible to Ulysses.
D
The Sirens are a temptation and give him an unsettling feeling.
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28.
What message is represented in the following passage? (Standard 3.5)
He warned the two of his strongest men—Perimedes and Eurylochus—to
guard him close. They seized him before he could plunge into the water. He
swept them aside as if they had been children. But they held him long enough to
give the crew time to swarm about him. He was overpowered—crushed by their
numbers—and dragged back to the mast.
A
A leader’s request must be followed at all costs.
B
A leader’s word is often not respected.
C
Sometimes individuals do not have to follow the leader.
D
Children must listen to their elders.
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29.
According to the following selection, which event happened first?
(Standard 3.6)
He had to do a number of things immediately. He roared to the crew to
keep the ship on course lest it be swept into a whirlpool. Then he seized an oar
himself and lowered on the starboard side where the oars had been broken.
He did not have time to weep. For he had to keep his crew rowing and tell
the helmsmen how to steer past the whirlpool.
They passed through the straight into the open water.
A
roared to the crew
B
seized an oar
C
passed through the straight
D
tell the helmsman how to steer past the whirlpool
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30.
In the following passage, the italicized portion is an example of what literary
device? (Standard 3.10)
Polyphemus snatched up in his grasp and dashed the sailors to earth like helpless puppies.
A
B
C
D
personification
metaphor
understatement
simile
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