English – Reading – Friday 29th January
The text below is called The Oak and the Linden Tree. It is based on an Ancient Roman myth and is about the king of the gods Jupiter and his son Mercury.
Read the text below and answer the questions underneath.
There is also a video below where you can hear the text and questions being read.
Questions
- Are you surprised that Jupiter wanted to leave Mount Olympus? Explain your answer.
- Why do you think Mercury left his sandals behind when he and Jupiter went to Earth?
- Summarise what happens in lines 17-22.
- “bowed its straw head” (line 24). This is an example of (choose one): a. onomatopoeia b. a simile c. personification d. alliteration
- Write down two features of this text that show it’s a myth.
- What do you think will happen in the rest of the myth?
You should spend 30 to 40 minutes on this.
1.yes because they have everything at Mount Olympus and entertainment
2.because he looked like he was normal and not a god
3. They asked for food but the people of Phrygia slammed the door in their face
4.personifaction
5.gods magical sandals
6.they help the people of Phrygia and they get thanked and go back to Mount Olympus
yes because you never get thirsty,hungry sadness
2. so he looks more like a human
3. Mercury and Jupiter arrived in Phrygia
4. personification
5. magical winged sandals
6. they find someone nice
Are you surprised that Jupiter wanted to leave Mount Olympus? Explain your answer. Yes because it was the perfect place for him to stay.
Why do you think Mercury left his sandals behind when he and Jupiter went to Earth? So he could be like people on Earth.
Summarise what happens in lines 17-22. People on Earth are being mean and are not being helpful.
“bowed its straw head” (line 24) This is an example of (choose one): a. onomatopoeia b. a simile X
c. personification d. alliteration
Write down two features of this text that show it’s a myth. The flying sandals and that Mercury and Jupiter come down to Earth so I think they live in the clouds.
What do you think will happen in the rest of the myth? I think they will make friends, find food and water and somewhere to live. I think they will get lot of money and maybe build a shop so they can help other people get food and drink.
1. Yes because he lives there.
2. So the people wouldn’t know that they were god’s.
3. They arrived at their destination
4. A simile
5. There are god’s that come to earth.
6. The people that let the god’s in will be blessed
1. No because he was told to go with him and he wants to help.
2. Because he did not need them on Earth.
3. They get down to Earth and they wanted to test the people.
4. Simile.
5. Mount Olympas and magicaled winged sandals.
6. The people in the hut might pass the test
1. I’m surprised that Jupiter wanted to leave mount Olympus as it is their home
2. As they pretended to be weary travellers and they wanted nobody to recognise them as gods.
3. They nocked houses but people shut their doors and then they reached one last house.
4. I would say it is a onomatapoeia.
5. Their speaking about gods and magic items (eg mercurys sandals that enable him to run as fast as the wind)
6. That the two people that were kind to them get eternal good luck.
English reading
1. I am not surprised because he has grown restless.
2. So the other Gods could remember him.
3. Mercury and Jupiter arrived at Phrygia look for food and drink.
4. C
6. They help Jupiter and mercury and give them food and dink.
Here are the answers:
1. You could say that it is not a surprise that Jupiter wanted to leave Mount Olympus because there was nothing to do there.
However, you could also say that it is surprising because it is a perfect place. There is no place for sadness, hunger or thirst, and the Gods have all that they need (and more). They gave delicious feasts and beautiful music.
2. Mercury left his sandals behind because he and Jupiter wanted to pretend to be travellers and did not want others to know they were Gods.
3. In lines 17-22, Mercury and Jupiter pretend to be weary travellers and knock on doors asking for food and a drink of water. However, the people of Phrygia do not pay attention to their pleas for help.
4. “Bowed its straw head” is an example of personification.
5. There are Gods and magic items (winged sandals). They are also on Mount Olympus which is the home of the Gods.
6. There are lots of ideas for this question. The two people have definitely passed the test and you would expect good things to happen for them.