Theme
What is the difference between a "theme" and a "moral"?
The “moral” of a story is the lesson the reader is supposed to learn, like “Honesty is the Best Policy.” A “theme” in a story is just a general pattern of things that happen repeatedly, but not exactly the same thing. This is not necessarily a lesson to be learned.
Read the sentence from paragraph 2 of the myth.
"Daedalus was an ingenious artist and was not discouraged by his failures."
The author’s purpose for using this sentence is to explain that Daedalus is a —
A. successful artist but afraid of failure
B. smart person who persists
C. smart person but afraid of failure
D. successful artist who gives up
B. smart person who persists
What is the main conflict in the story that we learn in paragraphs 1-2?
Daedalus and Icarus are stuck on King Minos's island.
The word anxiety comes from the Latin word angere, which means “to choke.” What does anxiety mean as it is used in paragraph 8?
"Daedalus, crazed by anxiety, called back to him, “Icarus! Icarus, my son, where are you?”
A. Obsessive anger
B. Overwhelming misery
C. Consuming fear
D. Devouring sadness
C. Consuming fear
What are the nouns in the sentence? “Minos may control the land and sea,” he said, “but he does not control the air. I will try that way."
land, sea, air
What message do the events in this myth convey to the reader about moderation?
It is important to practice moderation in life. Extreme behavior often comes with consequences.
Reread the last sentence of paragraph 3 of the selection.
"Icarus played about on the beach happily while his father worked, chasing the feathers that blew away in the strong wind that swept the island and sometimes taking bits of the wax and working it into strange shapes with his fingers."
What is the effect of this
description of Icarus playing on the shore?
A. It shows that Icarus avoids helping.
B. It shows that Icarus is happy to be on the island.
C. It shows that Icarus wants to be an artist.
D. It shows that Icarus likes to play.
D. It shows that Icarus likes to play.
Which statement best explains how the setting impacts the plot of the story?
A. Daedalus sees the air as a means of escape.
B. Daedalus tries to escape but fails.
C. Daedalus is imprisoned in a high tower.
D. Daedalus is a gifted inventor.
A. Daedalus sees the air as a means of escape.
Which quote from paragraph 7 of the selection shows that Icarus flew too high?
A. . . . until he reached the clouds.
B. Up and up Icarus soared . . .
C. . . . the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off . . .
D. He cried out to his father . . .
C. . . . the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off . . .
What are the pronouns in the sentence? “Minos may control the land and sea,” he said, “but he does not control the air. I will try that way."
he, I
Which statement describes a theme of the selection?
A. Wisdom grows with time.
B. Fear is a strong emotion.
C. People should obey their elders.
D. People can’t escape their destinies.
C. People should obey their elders.
Read this sentence from paragraph 6 of the selection.
Icarus, standing in the bright sun, the shining wings dropping gracefully from his shoulders, his golden hair wet with spray, and his eyes bright and dark with excitement, looked like a lovely bird.
The purpose of this comparison is to describe Icarus’s —
A. inability to fly
B. love for his father
C. joy when he flies
D. wings coming off
C. joy when he flies
labeled 1, and the last will be labeled 7.
___ Daedalus decides to build wings for them to use to escape the island.
___ Icarus tests his wings and flies just above the surface of the ocean.
___ Daedalus and Icarus become prisoners on the island.
___ Daedalus cautions Icarus not to fly too high or too low.
___ Icarus gathers feathers, and Daedalus builds two sets of wings.
___ They take flight, and Icarus flies too high, melting the wax on his wings; he falls.
___ Daedalus escapes but loses his son.
2, 4, 1, 5, 3, 6, 7
The word exaltation comes from the Latin word exaltare, which means “to raise
or elevate.” What does exaltation mean in paragraph 9?
"he mourned for the birdlike son who had thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom from the earth."
A. Flotation
B. Singing
C. Praise
D. Promotion
C. Praise
What is the verb in the sentence? "...his son plunged through the clouds into the sea."
Plunged
Which statement about life or human behavior is emphasized by the setting of this story?
A. People can live happily on islands.
B. It is freedom that is necessary.
C. It is important to gain experience.
D. People can learn from nature.
D. People can learn from nature.
What is the purpose of most myths?
To explain why things are the way they are (i.e. the creation of the world); to teach an important lesson; to inform and entertain
What is the turning point in the myth?
Paragraph 7 (when Icarus flies too high)
Based on the advice that Daedalus gives Icarus, what can you infer about the meaning of the word "moderate"?
"I want you to listen carefully to my instructions. Keep at a moderate height, for if you fly too low, the fog and spray will clog your wings, and if you fly too high, the heat will melt the wax that holds them together."
Moderate means medium or average (not too excessive).
What are the adjective in the sentence? " But the enchanted boy did not notice them until the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off and he began to sink"
Enchanted, hot, largest
Which 2 details support the theme that people can learn from nature?
A. ". . . Daedalus managed to escape from the tower only to find himself a prisoner on the island . . ." (paragraph 1).
B. "As thousands of gulls soared over the island . . ." (paragraph 3).
C. "He bade him watch the movements of the birds, how they soared and glided overhead"
(paragraph 5).
D. "As they flew across the land to test their prowess before setting out across the dark wild sea, plowmen below stopped their work . . ." (paragraph 6).
E. "The blazing sun beat down on the wings and softened the wax" (paragraph 7).
C. "He bade him watch the movements of the birds, how they soared and glided overhead" (paragraph 5).
E. "The blazing sun beat down on the wings and softened the wax" (paragraph 7).
Myths often explain why things are the way they are (i.e. the creation of the world; how the Zebra got its stripes, etc.). Reread the end of paragraph 7. What does this myth explain?
The creation of the Icarian Sea (how that part of the sea/body of water got it's name is acceptable)
How is the conflict of the story resolved?
Daedalus escapes and arrives safely in Sicily, but without his son Icarus who was killed during the flight.
Based on this description of Icarus's test flight, "Soon Icarus was sure that he, too, could fly and, raising his arms up and down, skirted over the white sand and even out over the waves, letting his feet touch the snowy foam as the water thundered and broke over the sharp rocks. Daedalus watched him proudly but with misgivings." what can you infer about the meaning of the word "misgivings"?
"Misgivings" is a feeling of doubt, apprehension, or worry.
What are the coordinate adjectives in this sentence? "Up and up Icarus soared, through the soft, moist clouds and out again toward the glorious sun."
"soft, moist"