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WorksheetsTHE CYCLOPS
Total questions: 14
Worksheet time: 43mins
After we survived the Land of the Lotus (LOW-tuss) Eaters, my crew and I had gone days without food, and we were now at the point of starvation. With each day, Death tightened his grip around our weakened souls.
How were Odysseus and his men feeling?
weary
excited
invigorated
ashamed
Then, suddenly, we spotted a small isle in the distance. We all jumped for joy as we approached and saw goats grazing on the mountainside, a sure sign of vegetation.
How does the crew react to the sight of the island?
with bewilderment
with shame
with pride
with joy
What does Odysseus mean when he says, “Our extreme hunger blinded us from the danger that was awaiting us”?
That the crew was so hungry that they were willing to act without thinking if it meant they might find food.
That the crew was so humiliated upon reaching the island because they had mud in their eyes
That the crew was so hungry they were losing their ability to see clearly.
We could smell fresh meat roasting in a nearby cave. This aroma was too much for our starving bodies.
What does the word "aroma" mean?
a putrid stench
a pleasant smell
a breathtaking view
a welcome sound
The Cyclopes scooped up two of the men and devoured them immediately as the rest of us raced for cover. Polyphemus then covered the opening of the cave with a gigantic boulder so that none of us could escape. As soon as the giant moved out of earshot, we gathered desperately to devise a plan.
What does "devise" mean?
to scream in mortal terror
to put down or insult
to transfer
to invent
I replied, “My name is Nohbdy." With that, I took a huge gulp of wine. My crew was obviously puzzled. They wondered why I lied about my name; however, they also knew to trust their king. We were not going to get out of that cave with our mortal strength. To survive this ordeal, we were going to need to use our minds.
What does "ordeal" mean?
a putrid stench
an easy challenge
a garbo situation
Polyphemus was very furious now and became determined not to let us out of his cave. In the morning, when he let his goats out to graze, he ran his hand over every goat making sure we were not escaping. He failed to notice that the goats were tied together, and we hung to their bellies as they scurried out of the cave.
What MOTIVATES the crew to hang under the bellies of the sheep?
Polyphemus does not think to check the sheep when he looks for the men.
Polyphemus does not eat sheep.
Polyphemus touches around, looking for the men, so the crew hides under the sheep as they leave the cave.
As we ran toward our ships, I cried back to Polyphemus telling him who I really was. “Polyphemus, hear me!” I shouted from my ship. “Let it be known that it was Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who hurt and blinded you!” My pride swelled up within me, and I became even more boastful, despite my men’s pleas to remain silent. “I am Odysseus, and I can do anything!”
Which words BEST DESCRIBE the attitude of Odysseus as he escapes the island on his ship?
boastful and arrogant
Humiliated
calm and reflective
Ashamed
“My lord, please remain silent,” one of my men said. The monster may be blind, be he is not deaf. He will hear where we are.” Polyphemus lifted a huge rock and hurled it at our ship. The boulder barely missed us; a few feet closer, and we would have perished. The Cyclops became so angry that he called upon the great Poseidon to punish us. With that a strong breeze swept the ocean and thrust us blindly out to sea. We had survived the Cyclops, but our nightmare was far from over.
Based on how this chapter ends, what can we MOST LOGICALLY PREDICT about what will happen in the next chapter?
Odysseus and the crew will return to the Cyclops island to avenge the death of the men that the Cyclops ate by in turn eating the cyclops
Odysseus and his crew will return home safely and quickly.
Odysseus and his crew will face a new and different challenge that will threaten their lives.
Based on what happens in this story, which of the following THEMES DO APPLY OR RELATE to the chapter about the Cyclops?
determination
teamwork
humiliation
buffoonery
leadership
What is the MAIN PURPOSE of the Cyclops story?
So you can read about humans being eaten alive
To show how Odysseus can resolve problems using his mind
To emphasize the theme of revenge
so you can read about a blind cyclops
In regards to the characterization of Odysseus, what does the way Odysseus deals with the Cyclops strongly suggest about the character of Odysseus?
Odysseus is careless and acts without first thinking.
Odysseus is able to use his mind to get out of tough situations.
Odysseus believes that brute force achieves the best results.
Odysseus is a buffoon who muddles his way into foolish situations
With each day, Death tightened his grip around our weakened souls.
This line is an example of which literary concept?
hyperbole
simile
metaphor
personification
“My lord, please remain silent,” one of my men said. The monster may be blind, be he is not deaf. He will hear where we are.”
Which words BEST DESCRIBE the TONE of Odysseus’ crew?
Ashamed with embarrassment
proud and boastful
Nervous and disapproving
wishful and dreaming
