8th Grade Grammar Quiz 19

A symbol of immortality, rebirth, or reinvention; named after a long-living bird that consumed itself in fire, rising renewed from the flame to start another long life.

• Phoenix
• Achilles' Heel
• Odyssey
• Pandora's Box
• Muse

Used to describe a laborious or futile chore; based on the story of a man who was forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, repeating this action for eternity.

• Sisyphean Task
• Achilles' Heel
• Odyssey
• Pandora's Box
• Muse

A weakness in spite of overall strength, which can actually or potentially lead to downfall; based on the myth of Thetis, who dipped her son (holding on to his foot) into the river Styx, to make him invulnerable.

• Achilles' Heel
• Odyssey
• Pandora's Box
• Muse
• Sisyphean Task

A person who inspired an artist, writer, or musician; based on the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts that were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in poetry, songs, and myths.

• Muse
• Achilles' Heel
• Odyssey
• Pandora's Box
• Sisyphean Task

To perform an action that may seem small, but that turns out to have very detrimental and far-reaching negative consequences; based on a myth about a woman who was given and opens a jar filled with Earth's evils.

• Pandora's Box
• Achilles' Heel
• Odyssey
• Muse
• Sisyphean Task

A long journey; named after the main character in an epic written by Homer. This character makes his long journey back to Ithaca from the Trojan War. The journey takes him 10 years.

• Pandora's Box
• Achilles' Heel
• Odyssey
• Muse
• Sisyphean Task

Which sentence correctly uses the term "Pandora's Box"?

• The scientist discovered Pandora's Box hidden in the laboratory.

• The children played a game of hide-and-seek near Pandora's Box.

• Her kindness opened Pandora's Box of opportunities.

• Pandora's Box was filled with sunshine and rainbows.

In which sentence is "Achilles' heel" used correctly?

• She massaged her Achilles' heel after a long day of walking.

• Achilles' heel is a famous restaurant known for its spicy dishes.

• The politician's Achilles' heel was his inability to make compromises.

• The marathon runner displayed his Achilles' heel for all to see.

Which sentence accurately utilizes the term "muse"?

• The author found inspiration in her muse, Aphrodite.

• He mused at the local bookstore.

• The musician lost his muse after his guitar was stolen.

• The museum displayed artifacts that were mused.