Questions
After you read the story, answer these questions:
1. Which of the following is an example of moderate behavior?
a. yelling at a parent about a disagreement
b. explaining the cause of a to a friend
2. Which of the following is more likely to cause anxiety?
a. winning first prize in a contest or game
b. not having a way to leave a bad situation
3 Which of the following involves prowess?
a. the ability to accept failure when challenged
b. the ability to solve a difficult problem successfully
4. Which of the following is an example of frantic behavior?
a. a group of people running away from an out-of-control vehicle
b. a crowd of sports fans cheering about their team winning the match
Reading Comprehension
- Why was Daedalus and Icarus imprisoned on the island?
A. They were exiled for crimes against the king.
B. They got lost at sea and ended up on the island.
C. They were working as shipbuilders on the island.
D. They tried to escape from the tower.
2. What method did Daedalus choose to escape from the island
A. By bribing ship captains to take them off the island.
B. By using a tunnel under the ground.
C. By creating wings and flying.
D. By disguising themselves and sneaking off the island.
3. What did Daedalus use to create the wings?
A. Cloth and string.
B. Wood and nails.
C. Feathers and wax.
D. Leaves and twine.
4. What was the danger of flying too high?
A. They could get lost in the clouds.
B. The sun would melt the wax holding the wings together.
C. Birds would attack them.
D. They would run out of breath.
5. What was the final destination Daedalus arrived at?
A. Sicily.
B. Crete.
C. Samos.
D. Lebinthus
A. birds were worshipped as gods in ancient Greece
B. flying by your own power was possible but dangerous
c. nature was highly respected by ancient Greeks
D. Daedalus wanted to make wings from birds feathers
7. Against his father's advice, Icarus flew higher and higher
because he-
A. was eager to prove that he was stronger than his father
B. often disobeyed his father's commands
C. became lost when the sun blinded him
D. was overtaken by the thrill that came from flying freely
8. Which sentence states an important theme in this myth?
A. Only true heroes can perform superhuman acts.
B. People must know their place in the universe.
C. Being able to live in freedom is worth any cost.
D. Doing things with family members is always fun.
Open-Ended Questions:
- Describe the emotional state of Daedalus when he realizes his son Icarus has flown too high and is in danger. ( how did he feel?)
- Why do you think Icarus did not heed ( listen to ) his father's warning about the dangers of flying too high?
- How does Daedalus mourn the loss of his son Icarus? Describe what he does to honor his memory.
- What lesson do you think Daedalus learned from the tragic loss of his son?
- Describe the father-son relationship in the story. How well do they get along? how can you tell? How does Daedalus guide and instruct Icarus, and how does Icarus respond?
- ESLEO How does the story illustrate the themes of ambition and hubris (an excess of confidence)? Provide specific examples from the text.