Greek Myths: Golden Apple

Read the sentence from Passage 1. “‘And, besides, I have no fancy for burdening myself with the sky, just now.’” (paragraph 4)

What is the meaning of the word fancy as it is used in this paragraph?

• Ability

• Experience

• Fear

• Desire

Read the excerpt from Passage 1. “‘We will see about that, one of these days,’ answered the giant. ‘At all events, you ought not

to complain, if you have to bear it the next hundred years, or perhaps the next thousand. I bore it a good while longer, in spite of

the back-ache.’” (paragraph 6) 

What does this excerpt reveal about Atlas?

• He dismisses Hercules’s attempts at trickery.

• He is encouraged by Hercules’s struggle.

• He resents the fact that he has held the sky for so long.

• He thinks that Hercules is more deserving of punishment.

Read the sentence from Passage 1. “Ah, the thick-witted old rogue of a giant!” (paragraph 9) 

What is the meaning of the phrase thick-witted as it is used in this sentence?

•  Admirable and kind

• Slow to understand

• Difficult to deceive

• Young and inexperienced

Which sentence from Passage 1 shows why Atlas offers to take the apples to the king?

• ‘You are certainly a very strong man, and can never have a better opportunity to prove it.’” (paragraph 6)

• “‘I took the finest that grew on the tree, I assure you.’” (paragraph 2)

•  “‘That’s no more than fair, and I’ll do it!;” (paragraph 8)

•  “‘I have no idea of spending another thousand years as I spent the last.’” (paragraph 8)

What is a theme in passage 1?

• Opportunities can be missed if one avoids a challenge.

• Pursuing selfish interests can cause others hardship.

•  Teamwork makes it easier to overcome difficulties.

• Being helpful to others can be its own reward.

 Which sentence from the passage best supports the theme in Part A?

•  “‘Yes; and the dragon with a hundred heads is a sight worth any man’s seeing.’” (paragraph 2)

• “‘And now, as I have a long way to go, and am rather in haste,--and as the king, my cousin, is anxious to receive the golden

• ‘Well, then, after a thousand years, if I happen to feel in the mood, we may possibly shift about again.’” (paragraph 6)

• “He threw down the golden apples, and received back the sky, from the head and shoulders of Hercules, upon his own, where it

  rightly belonged.” (paragraph 9)