PLOT
How many stages are in narrative structure?
There are 5 stages.
Who is the protagonist in the story?
King Midas
What is the central theme of "The Golden Touch"?
a) Greed leads to destruction
b) Kindness is rewarded
c) Power corrupts
d) Love conquers all
Explanation: The central theme of "The Golden Touch" is a) Greed leads to destruction. Throughout the story, King Midas's insatiable greed for wealth and power ultimately leads to his own downfall and the loss of everything he holds dear.
The Latin root -lus- means –
light, shiny, bright
At the end of “The Golden Touch,” how does King Midas undo the damage he has caused?
He sprinkles water.
Name the 5 stages of narrative structure and identify which stage the inciting incident happens.
Stage 1 Exposition
Stage 2 Rising Action. The inciting incident happens here.
Stage 3 Climax
Stage 4 Falling Action
Stage 5 Resolution
How does the theme of greed manifest in the story?
a) Midas gives away his gold to the poor
b) Midas mistakenly turns his daughter to gold
c) Midas learns to appreciate the simple things in life
d) Midas becomes a better ruler
Explanation: The theme of greed manifests in the story as b) Midas mistakenly turns his daughter to gold. Instead of using his golden touch for the benefit of his kingdom and people, King Midas becomes consumed by his desire for more gold, leading to negative consequences for those around him.
Read this sentence.
The famous scientist, who had won numerous prestigious awards, was lecturing at the college, and everyone was anxious to meet their illustrious guest.
Use your knowledge of the Latin root -lus- to tell me the meaning of the word illustrious.
In “The Golden Touch,” what is the king’s main problem at the breakfast table?
He cannot eat his food because it is gold.
In what stage of narrative structure do we learn the background of the character King Midas?
The exposition.
This substance is personified as a character throughout the story. What is this substance?
Gold
Discuss the importance of compassion as a theme in the narrative.
a) Compassion saves Midas from his fate
b) Compassion is seen as a weakness
c) Compassion is valued above all else
d) Compassion leads to betrayal
The importance of compassion as a theme in the narrative is highlighted by a) Compassion saves Midas from his fate. It is through acts of compassion and understanding that characters in the story are able to find redemption and forgiveness, contrasting with the destructive nature of greed.
Read the sentence from the passage below
...until the earliest sunbeam shone through the window, and gilded the ceiling over his head.
What does the word gilded mean?
to make it appear gold
Which of the following is a true statement about independent and dependent clauses?
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but a dependent clause cannot.
A dependent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but an independent clause cannot.
Both independent and dependent clauses are complete sentences, but they are punctuated differently.
Neither an independent clause nor a dependent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but a dependent clause cannot.
In what stage of narrative structure, do we see King Midas's reminder of his greed?
The resolution.
She is valued the most.
Marygold
Analyze the author's message about wealth and its consequences.
a) Wealth is the key to happiness
b) Wealth corrupts even the most virtuous
c) Wealth should be shared with others
d) Wealth is a sign of divine favor
Explanation: The author's message about wealth and its consequences is best represented by b) Wealth corrupts even the most virtuous. "The Golden Touch" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked greed and the negative impact wealth can have on individuals and society.
Read the sentence from the passage below.
He felt a presentiment that this stranger, with such a golden luster in his good-humored smile, had come hither with both the power and the purpose of gratifying his utmost wishes.
What does the word presentment mean?
feeling that something is about to happen
PART A: Which word best describes King Midas in the first part of “The Golden Touch”?
Wise
Cruel
Greedy
Rascally
PART B: Which sentence from “The Golden Touch” best supports the answer to PART A?
He had planted a garden, in which grew the biggest and beautifullest and sweetest roses that any mortal ever saw or smelt.
The very tip-top of enjoyment would never be reached, unless the whole world were to become his treasure-room, and be filled with yellow metal which should be all his own.
Midas was enjoying himself in his treasure-room, one day, as usual, when he perceived a shadow fall over the heaps of gold.
Midas now took his spectacles from his pocket, and put them on his nose, in order that he might see more distinctly what he was about.
PART B: The very tip-top of enjoyment...
What is the inciting incident?
A) The sunbeam gilding the ceiling.
B) The handkerchief turning to gold.
C) Receiving "The Golden Touch".
D) The arrival of the stranger.
C) Receiving "The Golden Touch".
This character is seen as "half playful and half serious".
The Stranger.
How does the theme of the story relate to real-life situations?
a) Greed is rewarded in the real world
b) Kindness is often taken advantage of
c) Power can corrupt even the best intentions
d) Love conquers all obstacles
Explanation: The theme of the story relating to real-life situations is most closely aligned with c) Power can corrupt even the best intentions. The narrative explores how the pursuit of power and wealth can lead individuals astray and corrupt their moral compass, a reflection of challenges faced in the real world.
Read the sentence from the passage below.
...look at the funny image of his own face, as reflected in the burnished circumference of the cup...
What does the word burnished mean?
to make shiny or reflective
PART A: What lesson does Midas learn in “The Golden Touch”?
Never let a stranger make important decisions on your behalf.
Everyday objects are beautiful and valuable just the way they are.
It is the parents’ duty to make wealth and pass it on to their children.
The king should set an example of kindness for his children and servants.
PART B: Which sentence from “The Golden Touch” best supports the answer to PART A?
If he loved anything better, or half so well, it was the little maiden who played so merrily around her father’s footstool.
At last, a bright idea occurred to King Midas. It seemed really as bright as the glistening metal which he loved so much.
Midas bent down his head, without speaking; for he recognized that same figure which had appeared to him, the day before, in the treasure room, and had bestowed on him this disastrous faculty of the Golden Touch.
Perceiving a violet that grew on the bank of the river, Midas touched it with his finger, and was overjoyed to find that the delicate flower retained its purple hue, instead of undergoing a yellow blight.
PART A: Everyday objects are beautiful and valuable just the way they are.
PART B: Perceiving a violet that grew on the bank of the river, Midas touched it with his finger, and was overjoyed to find that the delicate flower retained its purple hue, instead of undergoing a yellow blight.