Theseus and the Minotaur

Which choice provides the best summary for the passage?

• Theseus volunteers to fight the minotaur in place of his father. He defeats it and escapes the labyrinth with a ball of string. He and Ariadne sail back to his kingdom in Athens.

• Theseus travels into a labyrinth to fight King Minos. He defeats him and escapes with his daughter, Ariadne. He leaves her on an island before sailing home to his kingdom in Athens.

• Theseus volunteers to fight the minotaur in the labyrinth. He defeats the minotaur and saves Ariadne from her father. He returns home to his father who is pleased with his son.

• Theseus travels into a labyrinth to fight the minotaur. He defeats it and escapes the labyrinth with a ball of string. He sails back home but forgets to change his sails making his father think he is dead.

PART A: How does the interaction between Theseus and King Minos in paragraphs 12-15 contribute to the plot as a whole?

• It establishes King Minos as Theseus' central challenge in the labyrinth, setting up the king's battle with Theseus.

• It creates an atmosphere of fear which remains with Theseus as he travels the labyrinth.

• It helps the reader to fully visualize the new setting of Crete through the eyes of Theseus.

• It further contrasts King Minos' villainous ways with Theseus' bravery, setting Theseus up as the hero.

PART B: Which later quote from the story confirms your answer to Part A?

Part A: It further contrasts King Minos' villainous ways with Theseus' bravery, setting Theseus up as the hero.

• "Theseus walked carefully through the dark, foul-smelling passages of the labyrinth, expecting at any moment to come face-to-face with the creature." (Paragraph 19)

• "He was picked up between the Minotaur's horns and tossed high into the air. When he landed on the hard cold stone, he felt the animal's huge hooves come down on his chest." (Paragraph 20)

• "As the Minotaur bellowed in his ear and grabbed at him with its hairy arms, Theseus found a strength which he did not know he possessed." (Paragraph 21)

• "Theseus felt all over the floor in the pitch darkness and kept thinking he had found it, only to realize that all he had was a long wiry hair from the Minotaur." (Paragraph 23)

PART A: What does the word "tyrant" most closely mean as it is used in paragraph 7? (a)  

• A leader who torments people
• A person who runs a country
• A soldier who is ready to fight
• An innocent young citizen

PART B: Which quote from later in the story best supports your answer to Part A?

Part A: A leader who torments people

• As the ship docked in Crete, King Minos himself came down to inspect the prisoners from Athens." (Paragraph 11)

• "He enjoyed the chance to taunt the Athenians and to humiliate them even further." (Paragraph 11)

• "'Those are brave words for one so young and so feeble.'" (Paragraph 15)

• "Standing behind the king, listening, was his daughter, Ariadne." (Paragraph 16)

Which choice describes the point of view of the passage?

• "Theseus and the Minotaur" is told by a first person narrator who describes Theseus' thoughts and feelings.

• "Theseus and the Minotaur" is told by a first person narrator who describes the action and feelings of the characters.

• "Theseus and the Minotaur" is told by a third person narrator who describes the actions and feelings of the characters.

• "Theseus and the Minotaur" is told by a third person narrator who describes the thought and actions of only Theseus.

How would the passage be different if it were written as a drama?

• It would have stanzas and verses instead of paragraphs and sentences.

• It would have dialogue and stage directions instead of paragraphs and sentences.

• It would have description and meter instead of paragraphs and dialogue.

• It would have meter and rhythm instead of stage directions and description.

Which choice best explains the relationship between King Minos of Crete and King Aegeus of Athens?

• King Aegeus is afraid to stand up against King Minos because he does not want their cities to go to war.

• King Minos is afraid to stand up against King Aegeus because he does not want their cities to go to war.

• King Minos has to send young men and women to King Aegeus to prevent him from starting a war.

• King Aegeus is not afraid of King Minos and wants to go to war with him to stop the minotaur.

Why did Ariadne help Theseus?

• She did not like the way her father spoke to him.

• She felt bad for him because he had to fight the minotaur.

• She fell in love with him when she saw him.

• She did not like the minotaur and wanted it to be defeated.

Which two quotations support the inference that Theseus cares for the people of Athens?

• “I will return to you, father,” cried Theseus, as the ship left the harbour wall, “and you will be proud of your son.” (paragraph 9)

• "When it is time to send the next tribute, I will go as one of them and I vow that it is the last time the Minotaur will be fed with the flesh of any of our people.” (paragraph 7)

• “And they do not return because they do not go to Crete as slaves. They go as food for the Minotaur.” (paragraph 6)

• “Father, this is terrible,” shouted Theseus, “we cannot let this go on. We cannot sacrifice any more of our young citizens to this tyrant. (paragraph 7)

• "Then I wish you good luck, my son," cried his father, "I shall keep watch for you every day." (paragraph 10)