Dunkley

1. Read this paragraph from the passage.

6 "My dears, heaven has been pleased to try me with more affliction than any other woman of my age and country. First I lost my brave and lion-hearted husband, who had every good quality under heaven, and whose name was great over all Hellas and middle Argos, and now my darling son is at the mercy of the winds and waves, without my having heard one word about his leaving home.”

What is the meaning of affliction as it is used in the passage? (V.1.3)

• relief

• comfort

• sickness

• suffering

Answer explanation

Affliction means suffering and is supported by the suffering she has undergone with the loss of her husband and now her son.

Read the following section from the passage.

14 But Penelope lay in her own room upstairs unable to eat or drink, and wondering whether her brave son would escape, or be overpowered by the wicked suitors. Like a lioness caught in the toils with huntsmen hemming her in on every side she thought and thought till she sank into a slumber, and lay on her bed bereft of thought and motion. 

What mood is created in these lines through the use of simile? (R.3.1)

• tense and anxious

• strained and gloomy

• optimistic and tranquil

• reflective and melancholy

Answer explanation

Correct. The comparison of a hunted lioness creates tension for the reader as words like toils, hemming add to the feeling of being surrounded and closed in on by her enemy.

Select TWO answers that support the universal theme 'What people do to get and maintain power.'

• A. Suitors conspire against the family that has opened their land and home to them.

• B. Minerva gives Penelope rest and comfort with the vision of her sister.

• C. The vision provides assurance about Telemachus but cannot divulge information about Ulysses.

• D. Penelope orders her maids to get support to restore order and exterminate the threat against her family.

Answer explanation

The suitors conspire to kill Telemachus in order to remove an obstacle to gaining full power as the man of the house. The suitor resort to plotting a murder to gain power over the land and wealth of Ulyssey’s family. 

Penelope learns of the suitors' plan and looks for help to maintain power for their family in the absence of her husband and son.

Select TWO answers that support the universal theme Fate is inevitable.

• A. Suitors conspire against the family that has opened their land and home to them.

• B. Minerva gives Penelope rest and comfort with the vision of her sister.

• C. The vision provides assurance about Telemachus but cannot divulge information about Ulysses.

• D. Penelope orders her maids to get support to restore order and exterminate the threat against her family.

Answer explanation

The goddess Minerva  gets involved only to reassure Penelope that Telemachus’ fate is already determined and will return safely. 

Read the following section of the passage.

“I am even more anxious about him than about my husband; I am all in a tremble when I think of him, lest something should happen to him, either from the people among whom he has gone, or by sea, for he has many enemies who are plotting against him, and are bent on killing him before he can return home." (Paragraph 17)

How does Penelope’s perspective affect the tone of the text?(R.1.1)

• A. The focus on Telemachus’ safety creates a fearful and helpless tone as she is more concerned as a mother than as a wife.

• B. The focus on Ulysses’ safety creates a sad and panicked tone as she is more concerned as a wife than as a mother.

• C. The focus on the suitors plot to murder her son creates an apprehensive and nervous tone as she is more concerned with removing the suitors than with showing hospitality.

• D. The focus on herself creates an uncertain and apathetic tone as she is not sure how to react to the suitors’ plan.

Answer explanation

Penelope is more concerned for the fate of her son than Ulysses as Ulysses is an experienced soldier and sailor and Telemachus is young and inexperienced. This creates a sense of fear and helplessness for her son.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A: How is the characteristic of epic poetry involving supernatural forces represented in the poem? (R.1.4)

• A. Penelope is angered by the interference of the goddess in her earthly life.

• B. Penelope’s grief and burdens are emphasized as she waits for her loved ones return.

• C. Penelope is able to rest easy knowing her son will return home safe due to the protection of one of the goddesses.

• D. Penelope is distraught with grief over her husband’s home being overrun with dishonorable suitors. She believes no one could possibly live up to his character.

Answer explanation

Correct. The goddess Minerva sends a vision of Penelope’s sister to bring comfort and allow Penelope to be reassured that Telemachus will return home under her protection.

Part B: Which detail from the passage supports your response to Part A? (R.1.4)

• A. Meantime the suitors went on board and sailed their ways over the sea, intent on murdering Telemachus. (Paragraph 22)

• B. "My dears, heaven has been pleased to try me with more affliction than any other woman of my age and country.” (Paragraph 6)

• C. “First I lost my brave and lion-hearted husband, who had every good quality under heaven, and whose name was great over all Hellas and middle Argos,” (Paragraph 6)

• D. "You are asleep, Penelope: the gods who live at ease will not suffer you to weep and be so sad. Your son has done them no wrong, so he will yet come back to you." (Paragraph 16)

Answer explanation

Correct. This evidence provides how the goddess intervened and the information given to comfort Penelope.

Greek culture places great emphasis on the art of hospitality. How does Penelope embody this cultural value? (R.1.4)

• A. Penelope prays to the gods to remove the suitors from her home.

• B. Penelope complains to her maids about the suitors' poor behavior.

• C. Penelope continues to host the suitors even after learning of their plot to kill her son.

• D. Penelope refuses to host the suitors after learning of their plan to take over her home.

Answer explanation

Correct. Greek hospitality is of great importance, by not removing the suitors or not saying anything to them even after she learned of their plot to murder her son shows great restraint and emodies a great hostess. To make the suitors feel anything but welcomed would have brought shame on her husband and family name. 

Read this section from the passage.

“But Penelope lay in her own room upstairs unable to eat or drink, and wondering whether her brave son would escape, or be overpowered by the wicked suitors. Like a lioness caught in the toils with huntsmen hemming her in on every side she thought and thought till she sank into a slumber, and lay on her bed bereft of thought and motion.” (Paragraph 14)

What is the meaning of bereft as it is used in the passage? (V.1.3)

• A. lonely

• B. gleeful

• C. deprived

• D. overflowing

Answer explanation

Correct. Clues such as “sank into slumber” indicate that she is deep in sleep without movement or thoughts. Deprived indicates “without.”

Read paragraph 10.

10 Angie watched him, then asked, bewildered, what he was doing. Kevin’s eyes brightened as he started to talk animatedly; Angie had never seen her brother become so excited over a game of imagination. She was super curious—what was her brother up to? 

How does the author’s diction advance the development of Angie’s character in paragraph 10?  (R.1.1)

• By choosing the word “excited,” the author shows Angie’s enthusiasm for teaching her brother how to read. 

• By choosing the word “bewildered,” the author shows Angie beginning to give up on understanding her brother. 

• By choosing the word “curious,” the author shows Angie seeking to understand her brother, in order to help interest him in reading 

• By choosing the word “imagination,” the author shows Angie’s understanding that Kevin will be interested in books for young children. 

Answer explanation

Correct. The word “curious” indicates Angie’s interest in understanding the motivations of her brother, and in doing so can help interest him in reading.