Arachne's Web Story Elements/Skills

What (sub)genre of folktale is the story Arachne's Web?

• a fable

• a tall tale

• a myth

• a fairy tale

Answer explanation

The mention of a goddess, mythical creatures such as the nymphs, and Mount Olympus -as well as the fact that the story explains why spiders spin webs - are all clues that this is a myth.

Who is the protagonist of the story?

• Arachne

• the old woman

• the goddess Minerva

• the nymphs

Answer explanation

Arachne has the problem - she is the one who boasts about her weaving, angering the goddess Minerva.

*She is not a "hero" type protagonist because she isn't very likeable, but readers may "root" for her to change her ways and learn to be humble.

"Minerva, who heard Arachne's boasts, decided to teach Arachne a lesson." This is...

• the initiating event

• the central conflict

• the story's climax

• the story's resolution

Answer explanation

This is what causes the events that follow - if Minerva hadn't found out about Arachne's boasting, she would not have come looking for her and the contest wouldn't have been held.

Which quote from the story best states the central conflict?

• "All agreed that no other mortal could produce such beautiful weavings."

• "Your noise breaks the rhythm of my song. I can't finish this picture if you continue to sing and tap your cane."

• "It is said that you boast of being a better weaver than the goddess. Surely no mortal's work can compare with that of the gods."

• "They came to admire her woven pictures."

Answer explanation

The central conflict (main problem) is that Arachne thinks that nobody - mortal or god/goddess - can weave as well as her, but the goddess Minerva finds this claim insulting and untrue.

Which best describes the kind of central conflict in this story?

• character versus self

• character versus society

• character versus nature

• character versus character

Answer explanation

The conflict is between Arachne and the goddess Minerva, two characters in the story.

The climax of the story happens when......

• the old woman reveals that she is really the goddess, Minerva.

• Arachne says Minerva will not win the weaving contest.

• the nymphs declare Minerva the winner of the contest.

• Minerva rips Arachne's tapestry.

Answer explanation

The contest will determine whether Arachne's boasts are correct, and if she loses, Minerva has promised she will pay. The tension builds, and reaches its peak when the winner of the contest is revealed.

How is the central conflict resolved?

• Minerva loses the contest, and admits that Arachne is a better weaver.

• Arachne realized Minerva's tapestry is more beautiful, and apologizes.

• Minerva wins the contest, and punishes Arachne by turning her into a spider.

• The nymphs declare the contest a tie, and Minerva angrily returns to Mount Olympus.

Answer explanation

The boasting claim by Arachne that she is the best weaver of all (mortals and gods/goddesses) is settled when she loses the contest with Minerva. The loss proves that Arachne's boasts were untrue/wrong. Then, because Arachne disrespected the gods/goddesses in her tapestry, Minerva punishes her even more harshly by turning her into a spider.

Which event happens first?

• Minerva reveals her true identity to Arachne.

• Minerva pays a visit to Arachne, disguised as an Old Woman.

• Minerva and Arachne finish the contest.

• Arachne tells the nymph that she can teach Minerva the true art of weaving if she visits her.

Answer explanation

This is a sequence of events question. Arachne's boast that she could teach the goddess Minerva how to be a better weaver happens at the start of the story ( in the exposition). Immediately after, Minerva hears about this disrespect (the intiating event - because it leads to Minerva deciding to teach Arachne a lesson).

What happens right after Minerva throws the shuttle at Arachne?

• Minerva rips Arachne's tapestry.

• Arachne runs under a chair to hide.

• Arachne grows four yarn sized legs.

• The shuttle hits Arachne in the head.

Answer explanation

The text reads: "She ripped Arachne's tapestry and threw the shuttle at Arachne. The shuttle hit Arachne on the head."

Which event happens last?

• Minerva throws a piece of webbing at Arachne.

• Minerva throws the shuttle at Arachne.

• Minerva and Arachne put down their shuttles at sunset.

• Minerva and Arachne set their looms.

Answer explanation

"Minerva threw a piece of webbing from Arachne's picture at the transformed woman." The fact that Arachne is "transformed" show this happened AFTER she'd turned into a spider...making this the final event of those listed since all of the others happen BEFORE Arachne transforms into a spider.