Plot Elements
Plot mountain
Literal/inferential Questions
Summarizing
Bits & Pieces
100
What is the "Plot" of a story?
Plot is the series of events or episodes that make up a story. It is how the story unfolds.
100
What three things does an author introduce in the exposition of a story?
Characters, setting, and conflict.
100
Who is Athena in the story "Arachne's Web"?
She is the Goddess of Arts and Crafts and the one who punishes Arachne.
100
What strategy helps summarize fiction plots.
Somebody-Wanted-But-So
100
What does boastful mean?
Boast means to brag about oneself.
200
What is the final event in the story called. Some would say this is the end and this event explains how the story is resolved.
The Resolution
200
What is another word for conflict?
Problem
200
Which word best describes Arachne's attitude at the beginning of the text? Cite one piece of textual evidence to support your claim. a) humble b) kind c) boastful d) enraged
c) Boastful "My tapestries are like works of art. It's truly amazing. I daresay that I am even better than Athena herself."
200
Who is the "Somebody" is Arachne's Web?
Arachne and Athena
200
What is a tapestry?
A detailed woven blanket that one hangs on a wall as art.
300
What part of the plot ties up loose ends and comes directly after the climax but before the resolution?
Falling Action
300
What is Rising Action?
Rising action is the events that cause the conflict to build, or the events that begin to build tension. This is the longest part of the story.
300
Why did Hera curse Echo to repeat only the last words she hears? Cite one piece of textual evidence to support your claim.
She cursed Echo because she talked so much and always wanted the last word. "Now you've gone too far. You have contradicted me and questioned my authority. If you are so concerned with having the last word, so be it. From now on, you shall only be able to repeat what somebody else has said. Go ahead, say something."
300
What did Athena want in the story "Arachne's Web"?
Athena wanted Arachne to learn that boasting about oneself is a bad character trait. or Athena wanted Arachne to learn to be more humble about her talents.
300
How did the tapestry appear to come "Alive"?
Athena is a goddess and more than likely her powers could make this happen.
400
What is another word for the introduction of a story?
Exposition
400
What is the climax?
The climax in a story is the most intense part of the story. The climax is the turning point in the story. The climax is the uh-oh moment in the story.
400
What event directly resulted in Narcissus falling in love with himself and his doom? a) "It is not good to waste such good looks. The finest women in the world throw themselves at Narcissus, but he always turns his back on them." b) "Where can I be? I've been lost in these woods for hours. Will anybody ever find me?" C) "Who else is here?" D) Narcissus fled, leaving Echo all alone. Then the scene changed as if in a dream, showing Hera on her throne. She was looking down at all of this and took pity on Echo. She decided to punish Narcissus.
D)Narcissus fled, leaving Echo all alone. Then the scene changed as if in a dream, showing Hera on her throne. She was looking down at all of this and took pity on Echo. She decided to punish Narcissus.
400
What is the "but" or "Conflict" in "Arachne's Web" after the contest ends?
But Arachne wins the weaving competition which leads her to think being boastful is acceptable.
400
Which part in "Arachne's Web" do you believe is the climax? Cite one piece of textual evidence to support your claim.
The climax of "Arachne's Web" is when Athena is angered by the outcome of the weaving contest and Arachne talks back to her/shows disrespect. UH-OH! "Aaargh! You will pay the price for your arrogance and disrespect, Arachne! "But I won fair and square. Your anger can't change that." "Perhaps not, but there are other things I can change-like your face!"
500
What do we call the turning point in the story, in which the main character must make a choice or the conflict is the most intense! Sometimes referred to as the "Uh-oh" moment.
Climax
500
Identify the plot elements in the order they belong on a plot mountain/diagram.
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, & Resolution.
500
Why doesn't Arachne learn the lesson Athena was trying to teach her from the weaving contest? Cite one piece of textual evidence to support your claim.
Arachne does not learn her lesson from the weaving contest because the villagers declare her the winner. One piece of textual evidence to support this claim is when the villager states, "Arachne has done it again. Not only is she the best weaver ever, but she is also the best story teller. She took Athena's story and gave it a totally original ending. Arachne is hereby declared the winner of the contest."
500
What is the "so" or the "RESOLUTION" of "Arachne's Web"?
So Athena takes things into her own hands and turns Arachne into a spider to weave until the end of time.
500
What theme does "Arachne's Web" teach? What natural element does "Arachne's Web" try to explain?
The theme of Arachne's web tries to teach people that being boastful is not acceptable and that being respectful is. The natural element it tries to explain is how we spiders came to be.
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