Arachne’s Web (Comprehension Questions)

1. What was Arachne’s special talent?

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2. Cite an example from the myth that supports this statement:  Arachne held herself equal to the gods.

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3. Which goddess did the Romans believe to be Arachne’s patron?

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4. Why did the two weavers have a contest?

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5. What was the difference between the two finished tapestries?

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6. What was the result of Arachne’s disrespect?

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7. What characteristics of the class of animals Arachnida are explained by this story?

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Arachne’s Web (Comparing Two Characters)

Write the descriptive words from the Word Box under the appropriate name.  (Some words will be used for both characters.)  Add words of your own.  Then on another sheet of paper, use the lists to write a comparison/contrast paper of the two characters. 

Arachne

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Minerva

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Word Box talented                        forgiving                       proud                           confident boastful                        respectful                      self-centered                 indignant

 

Arachne’s  Web (Vocabulary)

A.     Some common words take on special meanings when they are used in specific context.  Weaving is a good example of this.  Write the number of each word by its meaning.  Use the story context and/or a dictionary to help you.

1. shuttle                             _________ to clean and comb raw wool

2. set the loom                    _________ a holder that carries the thread across the loom

3. card                               _________ to draw out and twist into thread

4. spin                                _________ to put the warp threads on the loom

B.     Use the words in the Word Box to complete the sentences.

Word Box transformed                              tapestry                                    shriveled vengeful                                    portrayed                                 delicate

 

1.      The ___________________________  ____________________________ was the work of a master craftsman.

2.      Her head was filled with________________________________ thoughts after the girls teased her.

3.      When the fruit is removed from the dehydrator it is ___________________________________.

4.       The new hairstyle and clean jeans _______________________________ the worker.

5.      The author ______________________________ the teacher as an important influence in his life.

Arachne’s Web (Figurative Language)

Sometimes a writer takes a word or phrase that has an obvious, literal meaning and uses it to create a word picture that has a different meaning.

Think about a spider spinning a web.  Then read this sentence:

      The conspirators wove an intricate web of deceit.

By comparing the conspirators’ plan to a spider web, the writer creates an image of a complex network of connections.

Here are some phrases that can have both a literal and a figurative meaning.  Use each phrase to create a word picture.

1.      hanging by a thread

Use this phrase in a sentence about someone whose job is in jeopardy.

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2.      flying high

Use this phrase in a sentence about someone who just got an A+.

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3.      building a bridge

Use this phrase in a sentence about two friends from different neighborhoods.

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