"Icarus" and "Phaethon" Reading Check

1. What is Daedalus' problem?

• Daedalus is having trouble building a tower for the king.
• Daedalus and his son have been imprisoned by the king.
• Daedalus is struggling to build a labyrinth for the king.
• Daedalus is currently escaping from jail on a ship.

2. Daedalus warns Icarus...

• not to fly too high or too low, or else his wings will become ruined.
• not to fly too low or else the creatures of the sea may attack him.
• not to use his wings unless it is absolutely necessary.
• not to fly too high because the sun will make it so hard to see that he will crash.

3. What THREE materials did Daedalus utilize to make the wings?

• thread, wax, fur
• string, wax, feathers
• thread, wax, feathers
• thread, Yankee candle, feathers

4. At the end of the story, Icarus...

• gets so excited that he flies too close to the sun and dies.
• escapes from the prison with Daedalus by flying away.
• falls into the ocean and a nearby ship captures him
• forgets to flap his wings so he is saved by his dad

5. Which of the following BEST identifies a theme of the story?

• Never judge a book by its cover
• Knowledge is the most valuable part of life.
• Many risks come with youth and freedom.

6. What does the word "cleave" most likely mean as it is used in the sentence: "He found that by waving his arms he could fan the air with the wings and cleave it, as a swimmer does to the sea."

• eliminate
• split apart
• lift

7. Which type of figurative language is used in the sentence: "He felt LIKE a leaf tossed in the wind."

• simile
• personification
• couplet

8. What lesson can be learned from Icarus's actions?

• never trust anyone
• obey your elders and heed (pay attention to) warnings
• love can hurt
• Having integrity will benefit your community

9. Which of the following Myth characteristics does the story of "Icarus" NOT fit?

• gods and goddesses
• characters face challenges
• Event in Nature
• Value of a particular cultural belief

10. Based on the narrator's comments and the character's actions, which of the following characteristics BEST fits Phaethon?

• arrogant
• humble (doesn't brag)
• compassionate towards others
• subtle