The Flight of Icarus - Comprehension Quiz

Which word could be used to describe a main theme of the myth?

• Wisdom

• Freedom

• Escape

• Fear

1. Which statement best explains how the setting impacts the plot of the story?

• Daedalus saw the air as a means of escape.

• Daedalus was a gifted engineer and inventor.

• Daedalus was imprisoned in a high tower.

• Daedalus tried to escape to Crete but failed

1. ‘‘Daedalus was an ingenious artist and was not discouraged by his failures.’’

The author’s purpose for using this sentence in paragraph 2 of the myth is to —

• explain that Daedalus was a successful artist but afraid of failure

• explain that Daedalus was a smart person who does not give up

• explain that Daedalus was a smart person but afraid of failure

• explain that Daedalus was a successful artist but easily discouraged

‘‘He called his son, Icarus, to him and told the boy to gather up all the feathers he could find on the rocky shore. As thousands of gulls soared over the island, Icarus soon collected a huge pile of feathers. Daedalus then melted some wax and made a skeleton in the shape of a bird’s wing. The smallest feathers he pressed into the soft wax and the large ones he tied on with thread. 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.’’

Reread the last sentence of paragraph 3 of the selection. What is the effect of this description of Icarus playing on the shore?

• It shows the reader that Icarus did not help his father.

• It shows that Icarus was happy to be on the island.

• It shows that Icarus wanted to be an artist like his father.

• It shows that Icarus was a young boy who liked to play.

‘‘He kissed Icarus and fastened the wings more securely to his son’s shoulders. 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. Daedalus’s eyes filled with tears, and turning away, he soared into the sky, calling to Icarus to follow. From time to time, he looked back to see that the boy was safe and to note how he managed his wings in his flight. As they flew across the land to test their prowess before setting out across the dark wild sea, plowmen below stopped their work and shepherds gazed in wonder, thinking Daedalus and Icarus were gods.’’

In paragraph 6 of the selection, the author compares Icarus to a bird. The purpose of this comparison is to

• foreshadow Icarus’s inability to fly

• foreshadow Icarus’s love for his father

• foreshadow Icarus’s joy when he flies

• foreshadow Icarus’s wings coming off

‘‘His father saw him and called out in alarm. He tried to follow him, but he was heavier, and his wings would not carry him. Up and up Icarus soared, through the soft, moist clouds and out again toward the glorious sun. He was bewitched by a sense of freedom and beat his wings frantically so that they would carry him higher and higher to heaven itself. The blazing sun beat down on the wings and softened the wax. Small feathers fell from the wings and floated softly down, warning Icarus to stay his flight and glide to earth. 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. Frantically he fluttered his arms, but no feathers remained to hold the air. He cried out to his father, but his voice was submerged in the blue waters of the sea, which has forever after been called by his name.’’

Read paragraph 7 of the text above. Which detail from the selection supports the key idea that Icarus flew too high?

• ‘Up and up Icarus soared . . .’

• ‘. . . the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off . . .’

• ‘. . . until he reached the clouds . . .’

• ‘He cried out to his father . . .’

1. ‘‘Icarus, beating his wings in joy, felt the thrill of the cool wind on his face and the clear air above and below him. He flew higher and higher up into the blue sky until he reached the clouds…. ‘‘

Read the beginning of paragraph 7 above. Which of the following generalizations can be made about Icarus’s personality?

• He is fearful and careful.

• He is innocent and foolish.

• He is respectful and patient.

• He is intelligent and experienced.

‘‘And he mourned for the birdlike son who had thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom from the earth.’’

Why is the placement of this sentence at the end of the text is effective in emphasizing the theme of the text?

• This is the final thought the reader is left with, so it drives home the main life lesson of the myth.

• This sentence shows that Icarus looked like a bird when he was flying.

• This sentence highlights how sad Daedalus was to have lost his son.

• a) This sentence shows that Icarus was excellent at flying.

‘‘Finally, one clear, wind-swept morning, the wings were finished, and Daedalus fastened them to Icarus’s shoulders and taught him how to fly. He bade him watch the movements of the birds, how they soared and glided overhead. He pointed out the slow, graceful sweep of their wings as they beat the air steadily, without fluttering. 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. He called Icarus to his side and, putting his arm round the boy’s shoulders, said, “Icarus, my son, we are about to make our flight. No human being has ever travelled through the air before, and 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. Keep near me and you will be safe.”

What specific evidence in paragraph 5 of the text suggests that Daedalus’s plan will not go well?

• ‘No human being has ever travelled through the air before.’

• ‘As they flew across the land to test their prowess before setting out across the dark wild sea.’

• ‘He kissed Icarus and fastened the wings more securely to his son’s shoulders.’

• ‘Daedalus’ eyes filled with tears, and turning away, he soared into the sky, calling to Icarus to follow.’

1. ‘‘Then, with a flutter of wings, he once more took to the air, but the joy of his flight was gone and his victory over the air was bitter to him. He arrived safely in Sicily, where he built a temple to Apollo and hung up his wings as an offering to the god, and in the wings, he pressed a few bright feathers he had found floating on the water where Icarus fell. And he mourned for the birdlike son who had thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom from the earth.’’

Paragraph 9 above suggests that Daedalus’s original goal to escape the island was successful. However, it cost him his son. What does this suggest about the Greeks' beliefs concerning their place in the world in relation to their gods?

• This outcome suggests that the Greeks believed in flying like a bird.

• This outcome suggests the theme ‘know your place’ – don’t soar too high or try to be like the gods.

• This outcome suggests that the Greeks believed in the afterlife.

• This outcome suggests the theme ‘flying is dangerous’ – don’t try to fly without proper training and equipment.