Demeter and Persephone

The word flourishes comes from the Latin root flor, meaning “flower.”

What does flourishes mean in the last sentence of paragraph 1?

• A. has petals

• B. turns green

• C. develops poorly

• D. grows well

Which story detail lets the reader know that the setting is not a real place?

• A. The main character has a beautiful daughter named Persephone.

• B. The main character is able to control the growth of crops.

• C. There are plants that grow when the snow melts.

• D. There are orchards that blossom and produce fruit.

“When I heard of Hades’s terrible trick, I was furious. I demanded that

Persephone be released from his kingdom.”

What does the word furious suggest about Demeter?

• A. She is very sad.

• B. She is very surprised.

• C. She is very angry.

• D. She is very curious.

Which sentence states a theme of the selection?

• A. The love between people will always solve problems.

• B. People suffer when harsh weather destroys crops.

• C. The ancient gods had little interest in humans.

• D. Spring will always follow the hardships of winter.

“The crops withered, the fruit hardened on the vines, and the soil turned

to dust.”

Which word is similar in meaning to withered?

• A. dried

• B. fell

• C. vanished

• D. ripened

What causes winter to come to the Earth?

• A. A mother runs away.

• B. A girl is captured.

• C. A seed is eaten.

• D. A god steals fruit.