The Flight of Icarus

Today’s Learning Goals:

1.

Review “The Flight of Icarus”
Plot Stages & Write a Summary

2.

Answer how Daedalus, the main
character, drives the plot and
‘shows’ us who he is.

3.

Learn how to determine the
theme and write a theme
statement.

4.

Investigate Setting Details and answer how the setting
contributes to the plot.

Multiple Select

The setting can be described as

• on an island in the middle of the sea off the coast of Crete, during ancient times

• In a high tower during the late 1900's

• July of 2020, off the coast of Ensenada on a beautiful day at the beach

Multiple Choice

What is Daedalus' plan for escape?

• He would bribe the guards to let him go.

• He would ask King Minos for forgiveness and pardon.

• He would take a boat back to his country.

• He would make wings and fly away.

Multiple Choice

Daedalus made wings for himself and his son in order to

• teach his son to fly.

• be more like the gods.

• escape from the island of Crete.

• show that he was an ingenious artist.

Multiple Choice

Which quote from paragraph 7 of the selection shows that Icarus flew too high?

• . . . until he reached the clouds.

• Up and up Icarus soared . . .

• . . . the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off . . .

• He cried out to his father . . .

Multiple Choice

What were the two things Icarus's father told him to do?

• Have fun and fly high
• Stay on the ground and think about life
• Don't fly too low or too high and stay close to me
• Don't fly to the mystical mountain and play with the dragon

Multiple Choice

When Daedalus arrived safely in Sicily he

• Made another pair of wings

• Built a temple

• buried his son

• rejoiced in his escape

Multiple Choice

What happened to Icarus at the end of the story?

• He learned his lesson and promised he would never to fly away again.

• He fell into the sea and Daedalus buried his son on an island called Icaria.

• Icarus went back to the tower and waited for his dad.

• Icarus was fed to the Minotaur.

Multiple Choice

What softened the wax on Icarus's wings?

• The sun's heat

• The wind

• The clouds

• The ocean water

Multiple Choice

Which statement best explains how the setting impacts the plot of the story?

• Daedalus sees the air as a means of escape.

• Daedalus tries to escape but fails.

• Daedalus is imprisoned in a high tower.

• Daedalus is a gifted inventor.

Multiple Choice

Which statement about life or human behavior is emphasized by the setting of this story?

• People can learn from nature.

• It is freedom that is necessary.

• It is important to gain experience.

• People can live happily on islands.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best explains how the setting impacts the plot of the story?

• Daedalus saw the air as a means of escape.

• Daedalus was a gifted engineer and inventor.

• Daedalus was imprisoned in a high tower.

Multiple Choice

Which statement describes a theme of the selection?

• Wisdom grows with time.

• Fear is a strong emotion.

• People should obey their elders.

• People can’t escape their destinies.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of the story

• Be careful what you wish for, because you may not like the outcome.

• If you continue to fly high, you will be successful.

• If you really want something, then never give up.

• Know your limits; listen to your elders.

Multiple Select

Which two quotes from the selection best support the theme that people can learn from nature?

• . . . Daedalus managed to escape from the tower only to find himself a prisoner on the island . . . (paragraph 1)

• As they flew across the land to test their prowess before setting out across the dark wild sea, plowmen below stopped their work . . . (paragraph 6)

• The blazing sun beat down on the wings and softened the wax. (paragraph 7)

• As thousands of gulls soared over the island . . . (paragraph 3)

• He bade him watch the movements of the birds, how they soared and glided overhead.
  (paragraph 5)

Multiple Select

Select two quotes from the text that best support the theme that reaching beyond your limits can cause problems.

• Daedalus managed to escape from the tower . . . (paragraph 1)

• “. . . but he does not control the air. . . .” , (paragraph 2)

• . . . if you fly too high, the heat will melt the wax . . ., (paragraph 5)

• He was bewitched by a sense of freedom and beat his wings frantically . . . , (paragraph 7

• . . .he mourned for the birdlike son who had thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom . . ., (paragraph 9)

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence from paragraph 2 of the myth.

Daedalus was an ingenious artist and was not discouraged by his failures.

The author’s purpose for using this sentence is to explain that Daedalus is a —

• successful artist but afraid of failure

• smart person who persists

• smart person but afraid of failure

• successful artist who gives up

Multiple Choice

Reread the last sentence of paragraph 3 of the selection. What is the effect of this description of Icarus playing on the shore?

• It shows that Icarus avoids helping.

• It shows that Icarus is happy to be on the island.

• It shows that Icarus wants to be an artist.

• It shows that Icarus likes to play.

Multiple Choice

Read this sentence from paragraph 6 of the selection.

"Icarus, standing in the bright sun, the shining wings dropping gracefully from his shoulders, his golden hair wet with spray, and his eyes bright and dark with excitement, looked like a lovely bird."

The purpose of this comparison is to foreshadow Icarus’s —

• inability to fly

• love for his father

• joy when he flies

• wings coming off

Multiple Choice

What do the birds symbolize in the myth?

• Foolishness

• Captivity

• Hope

• Freedom

Multiple Choice

Why did Daedalus have “misgivings” while watching Icarus fly?

• He thought that Icarus would be too afraid.

• He thought that the wings would not be strong enough.

• He thought that the winds would be too strong.

• He thought that Icarus would be too careless and reckless.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence.

Daedalus was an ingenious artist and was not discouraged by his failures.

The author’s purpose for using this sentence in paragraph 2 of the myth is to —

• explain that Daedalus was a successful artist but afraid of failure

• explain that Daedalus was a smart person who does not give up

• explain that Daedalus was a smart person but afraid of failure

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 6 of the selection, the author compares Icarus to a bird.

The purpose of this comparison is to —

• foreshadow Icarus’s inability to fly

• foreshadow Icarus’s love for his father

• foreshadow Icarus’s joy when he flies

Multiple Choice

Read this detail from paragraph 5:

He bade him watch the movements of the birds, how they soared and glided overhead

This detail emphasizes that —

• Daedalus wanted to make wings from birds’ feathers

• birds were worshipped as gods in ancient Greece

• nature was highly respected by ancient Greeks

Multiple Choice

Against his father’s advice, Icarus flew higher and higher because he--

• was overtaken by the thrill that came from flying freely

• became lost when the sun blinded him

• was eager to prove that he was stronger than his father

Multiple Choice

Why might a parent tell the story of Icarus to a child?

• It shows Daedalus as a strong father figure.

• It shows that father and son should stick together.

• It shows that disobedient children should get what they deserve.

• It shows that children should obey their parents.

Multiple Choice

What elements of this story do NOT show that this story is a myth?

• A father and son disagree.

• A father and son begin flying with homemade wings.

• Icarus says that from the ground they must look like gods.

• King Minos loves his Minotaur.