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Penelopiad Chapters I-VII Quiz

Total questions: 31

Worksheet time: 17mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The Penelopiad is a ____________ type of story: one that retells a classic tale, but from a different angle.
a)
Epic Poem
b)
Postmodern
c)
Historical
d)
Fictional
2.
Penelope is not excited about the prospect of marriage because she knows ___________. (Choose the BEST answer.)
a)
That Helen will ruin her wedding
b)
That Odysseus is short
c)
That her suitors only want her wealth
d)
That her life will be horrible when she leaves Sparta
3.
Who/What rescues Penelope when she falls into the sea?
a)
Swans
b)
A sea nymph
c)
Ducks
d)
Poseidon
4.
Penelope's mother was which mythological creature?
a)
Naiad (sea nymph)
b)
Gorgon
c)
Siren
d)
Fawn
5.
How does Odysseus win Penelope's hand in marriage?
a)
By being the fastest runner
b)
By drugging the wine of the other suitors
c)
By making a secret pact with Penelope's father
d)
By calling upon Athena for help
6.
When Penelope's father begged for her to stay in Sparta, the characters in the story believe that she covered her face to maintain modesty. As readers, we know that she actually covered her face to hide her laughter. This is an example of which literary device?
a)
Juxtaposition
b)
Dramatic Irony
c)
Verbal Irony
d)
Imagery
7.
Which of the following best describes the overall tone of The Penelopiad?
a)
Spirited and Joyful
b)
Warm and Nostalgic
c)
Biting and Sarcastic
d)
Deep and Mournful
8.
The Maid's Interludes about longing for a royal life directly following Penelope's chapters complaining about her life as a queen is an example of what literary device?
a)
Dramatic Irony
b)
Verbal Irony
c)
Juxtaposition
d)
Imagery
9.
Which of the following is the correct format for the end of a quotation?
a)
"Remember to use correct punctuation.(52)"
b)
"Remember to use correct punctuation"(52).
c)
"Remember to use correct punctuation.(52")
10.

What was Penelope's mother?

a)

a naiad

b)

a dryad

c)

a nymph

d)

a princess

11.

Who saves Penelope when her father tries to drown her?

a)

Frogs

b)

Ducks

c)

Swans

d)

Dolphins

12.

Where did Penelope grow up?

a)

Athens

b)

Sparta

c)

Ithaca

d)

Troy

13.

Approximately how often do we seem to get the maids' perspective in the book?

a)

Never

b)

Every other chapter

c)

Every chapter

14.

According to Penelope, what virtue (if it is a virtue) did her childhood teach her?

a)

self-sufficiency

b)

patience

c)

self-assertiveness

d)

modesty

15.

What is the main idea of "The Penelopiad" by Margaret Atwood?

a)

The story of Odysseus' adventures from his perspective.

b)

Penelope's perspective on her life and the events of "The Odyssey."

c)

A detailed account of the Trojan War.

d)

A guide to ancient Greek mythology.

16.

What motivates Penelope to tell her story in "The Penelopiad"?

a)

To seek revenge on Odysseus.

b)

To clear her name and share her side of the story.

c)

To entertain the readers with myths.

d)

To find a new husband.

17.

Which theme is prominently explored in "The Penelopiad"?

a)

The power of wealth.

b)

The role of women in history and mythology.

c)

The importance of physical strength.

d)

The inevitability of fate.

18.

What symbol is frequently used in "The Penelopiad" to represent Penelope's cunning and patience?

a)

The loom.

b)

The sword.

c)

The olive tree.

d)

The sea.

19.

Summarise the key event that leads to the hanging of the maids in "The Penelopiad."

a)

The maids betray Penelope to the suitors.

b)

The maids are accused of being disloyal and conspiring with the suitors.

c)

The maids steal from the palace.

d)

The maids attempt to escape Ithaca.

20.

How does Penelope view her relationship with Odysseus in "The Penelopiad"?

a)

As a perfect and loving marriage.

b)

As a complex relationship filled with love and deception.

c)

As a purely political alliance.

d)

As a relationship based on mutual hatred.

21.

What is the significance of the chorus of maids in "The Penelopiad"?

a)

They provide comic relief.

b)

They offer a collective voice and perspective on the events.

c)

They serve as Penelope's personal guards.

d)

They narrate the story of Odysseus' journey.

22.

Identify the main idea behind Penelope's weaving and unweaving of the shroud.

a)

It is a symbol of her loyalty to Odysseus.

b)

It is a tactic to delay choosing a suitor.

c)

It is a way to honour her father.

d)

It is a method to gain wealth.

23.

What theme does the fate of the maids highlight in "The Penelopiad"?

a)

The justice system in ancient Greece.

b)

The vulnerability and exploitation of women.

c)

The power of friendship.

d)

The importance of loyalty to the king.

24.

Summarise Penelope's feelings towards her cousin Helen in "The Penelopiad."

a)

Admiration and respect.

b)

Indifference and neutrality.

c)

Jealousy and resentment.

d)

Fear and submission.

25.

What symbol is depicted in this quote: “I’ll spin a thread of my own.”

a)

Storytelling

b)

Weaving

c)

Womahood

d)

Maid's Death

26.

An Idyll is typically concerned with:

a)

Natural Life

b)

The Birth of Children

c)

Paintings

d)

Life at Court

27.

The origin of lament is lamenta, which means:

a)

Sorrow

b)

Drowning

c)

Singing

d)

Weeping

28.

“If that was the prophecy it was a true one, and indeed the weaving of this particular shroud proved a great convenience to me later on in life.” In the Penelopiad, weaving can be related to:

a)

deceitfulness

b)

loneliness

c)

joyfulness

d)

contentedness

29.

What symbol or theme is represented by this quote?


“Rumors came, carried by other ships. Odysseus and his men had got drunk at their first port of call and the men had mutinied, said some; no, said others, they'd eaten a magic plant that had caused them to lose their memories, and Odysseus had saved them by having them tied up and carried onto the ships” (Atwood 64)

a)

Weaving

b)

Womanhood

c)

Water

d)

The Maid's Death

30.

What theme or symbol is represented by this quote?

“He was making love with a beautiful goddess, and enjoying it very much. Then the goddess turned into Helen; she was looking at me over the bare shoulder of my husband with a malicious little smirk.”

a)

Feminism

b)

Weaving

c)

Storytelling

d)

Womanhood

31.

How does Odysseus alter Penelope's feelings about him on their wedding night?

a)

He convinces her that they are on the same team.

b)

He tells her he would have preferred to marry Helen.

c)

He gives her jewelry and beautiful clothing.

d)

He offers to teach her how to swim.