Common Core Standards Assessed:
-Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
-Determine the central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
-Analyze how particular elements of a story interact.
-Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
-Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how
authors of fiction use or alter history.
Greek Mythology Assessment
Name____________________________________
Circle the best answer choice for each question. 1 point each
“Echo and Narcissus”
1. This myth is mainly about the origin ofa. curses
b. nymphs
c. echoes and narcissus flowers
d. love
2. What causes Aphrodite to punish Narcissus?
a. He mistreats Echo.
b. He hunts in the northern mountains.
c. He falls in love with his own reflection.
d. He is too gorgeous.
3. Which is Echo’s biggest problem at the beginning of the story?
a. She is invisible.
b. She talks too much.
c. She is too beautiful.
d. She falls in love too easily.
4. What happens to Echo after Narcissus rejects her?
a. She pines away and dies.
b. She begs Aphrodite to punish Narcissus.
c. She kisses him and dies.
d. She throws herself into the pool of water.
5. In both “Echo and Narcissus” and “King Midas and the Golden Touch”, the main characters, Echo,
Narcissus, and Midas are punished because of a character flaw. Explain each character’s flaw and the
punishment they then received. How are these punishments examples of irony?
6 points
“King Midas and the Golden Touch”
6. Which is the main purpose of this myth?
a. To tell an exciting story
b. To explain history
c. To teach a moral lesson
d. To solve a mystery
7. Which event first leads Midas to regret his wish?
a. Having to wade into the river
b. Turning his daughter into a statue
c. Finding he cannot eat or drink
d. Having to visit with Dionysus
8. The main idea of this myth deals with
a. the foolishness of greed
b. the power of the gods
c. the power of a king
d. the love of a family
9. What will Midas probably do after the myth ends?
a. Ask Dionysus for more wishes.
b. Look for other sources of gold.
c. Be happy with what he has.
d. Punish the satyr for all the trouble he caused.
“The Flight of Icarus”
10. Why did Daedalus build the wings?
a. He no longer loved his son.
b. They would help him escape the Minotaur.
c. He wanted to escape from the island.
d. He wanted to honor Apollo.
11. What lesson does this myth teach?
a. Be careful what you wish for.
b. Never trust your children.
c. The sun is a dangerous object.
d. Always listen to your parents.
12. Compare and contrast the two versions of “The Flight of Icarus” that we read. Give two similarities and
two differences between the two versions of the same tale. Remember to explain these similarities and
differences using details from the stories. 4 points.
“The Origin of the Seasons”
13. What causes Demeter to become so unhappy?
a. Hades takes Persephone as his queen.
b. The earth will not grow crops.
c. She gets tired of caring for Demophoon.
d. Zeus sends Hermes to bring Persephone back to the light.
14. Demeter is best described as a
a. Wicked witch
b. Loving mother
c. Foolish mortal
d. Coldhearted goddess
15. The purpose of this myth is to explain what?
a. What happens to people after they die
b. How humans can become immortal
c. Why we have seasons
d. Why the sun rises and sets
16. Which of the following is an example of irony?
a. As light as a feather.
b. So hungry I can eat a horse.
c. Robbery at the police station.
d. Boom! Bang!
“Phaethon, Son of Apollo”
17. Which of the following is the best description of Phaethon?
a. Humble, careful, and shy
b. Mean, dangerous, and violent
c. Daring, proud, and beautiful
d. Honest, thoughtful, and sweet
18. Why were Phaethon’s mother and sisters turned into poplar trees?
a. To punish them for Phaethon’s accident
b. To show the mortals how powerful gods are
c. To bring the earth back to life
d. To allow them to stay with Phaethon forever
19. What is the moral lesson in this myth?
a. Fire breathing horses are why the sun is so warm.
b. Parents do not give the best advice.
c. Too much pride can get you in trouble.
d. Zeus is a kind and decent king
Read the myth, “Pandora’s Box”, written below. Answer the following question about it using RAVE.
“Pandora’s Box”
Zeus sent Pandora, down to earth so that she could marry Epimetheus. Zeus gave Pandora a little box
and made her promise never to open the box. He gave the key to Pandora’s husband.
Pandora was very curious and wanted to see what was inside the box. One day, when Epimetheus lay
sleeping, Pandora stole the key and opened the box. Out flew every kind of disease and sickness, hate and
envy, all the bad things that are in the world today.
Epimetheus woke up at the sound of Pandora sobbing. “I opened the box and all these evil things flew
out,” she cried. She opened the box and showed him. But the box was not quite empty. One tiny bug flew
quickly out. “My name is Hope,” said the bug. Hope flew out into the world, a world that now held Envy,
Crime, Hate, and Disease – and Hope. (Adapted from http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/pandora.html)
20 . After reading “Pandora’s Box”, what does this myth explain about the world? Use at least one specific
example from the myth to explain your choice. 2 pts
Pick the definition that best matches each sentence. 1 pt each
21. Narcissus was so vain that he loved only himself. ______
22. Narcissus stood still in amazement, looking all around in vain. ______
23. Woe is me for I loved in vain! ______
24. Echo’s love for Narcissus was in vain. ______
a. Excessively proud of or concerned about one’s own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.;
conceited.
b. Useless; without result