Grade 8 Literature Quiz

In "King Midas of the Golden Touch," what does Midas’s request for a feast reveal about him?

• He wants to celebrate his good fortune with others.

• 
  His wish has consequences he did not fully consider.

• 
  He has not always had enough food to eat in the past.

• His desire for food is greater than his desire for gold.

Read paragraph 3 of "King Midas of the Golden Touch." "The statement that Bacchus looked a little sadly in the eager face of Midas" shows that

• Bacchus regrets that he does not have the golden touch.

• 
  Bacchus wishes he could bestow this gift on peasants.

• Bacchus would prefer that Midas accept his poverty.

• Bacchus knows that Midas will regret this foolish wish.

How is King Midas of the Golden Touch BEST summarized?

• Bacchus gives Midas the power to turn everything he touches into gold. Midas is pleased to get his wish at first, but he soon pleads with Bacchus to take back the power he gave to Midas.

• Midas asks Bacchus to give him the power of the Golden Touch, and Bacchus agrees. Midas orders a feast to celebrate his new powers and realizes he cannot eat any of the food.

• Bacchus is saddened by Midas’s wish, even though he understands the reason behind it. He agrees to grant Midas’s request.

• Midas approaches an olive tree after Bacchus leaves to see whether he was telling Midas the truth. He picks up a twig and it turns into solid gold.

What theme common to many myths and folktales is developed in King Midas of the Golden Touch?

• the generosity of the gods

• the difficulties of peasant life

• 
  the consequences of an unwise wish

• the importance of friendship between gods and humans

Which paragraph of Excerpt from A Book of Myths MOST helps to develop the idea that there are more important things in life than riches and wealth?

• paragraph 2

• paragraph 3

• paragraph 5

• paragraph 6

Read line 1 of the poem.

PASSING through huddled and ugly walls

What does the word huddled imply about the city’s buildings?

• They are home to many people.

• They are in poor condition.

• They are very close together.

• They are all located in one area.

What is the main message of the poem?

• Chicago is always changing.

• 
  Chicago is a city of contrasts.

• Chicago is a city that is always busy.

• Chicago is friendly to the environment.

Which line from the poem BEST supports the speaker’s statement that he came upon “a blue burst of lake”?

• Out from the huddled and ugly walls,

• Masses of great gray wings

• 
  And flying white bellies

• On a spray-flung curve of shore

What contrast between the speaker and the women is developed by the description of the speaker's journey?

• He is more critical than they are.

• He is more fortunate than they are.

• He appreciates beauty more than they do.

• He feels more alone than they do.

Read the paragraph from the passage.

The distant howling of a pack of wolves or the hooting of an owl in the river bottom frightened me, and I nestled into my mother's lap. She added some dry sticks to the open fire, and the bright flames leaped into the faces of the old folks as they sat around the great circle.

How does the author's word choice affect the tone?

• It creates an affectionate tone.

• It creates an anxious tone.

• It creates an excited tone.

• It creates a watchful tone.