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Words from myths (a Herculean task, an Achilles' heel)

4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 16 questions · Common Core: RL.4.4, L.4.5 · England: Y5/6 Vocabulary (etymology), Y3/4 Reading (myths and legends)

Name

Date

Score/ 16

1
Question 1
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. Starting that argument was like opening Pandora's box. What does that mean?
- A. It was a lovely surprise.
- B. It caused lots of unexpected problems.
- C. It was very easy.
- D. It was a secret gift.
2
Question 2
Read the question. Which word comes from Arachne, a weaver who was turned into a spider in a Greek myth?
- A. arachnid
- B. atlas
- C. echo
- D. cereal
3
Question 3
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. Maths is Ana's strong point, but spelling is her Achilles' heel. What is an "Achilles' heel"?
- A. a sore foot
- B. a fast runner
- C. a favourite subject
- D. a weak spot
4
Question 4
Read the question. Which word comes from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and metalwork?
- A. panic
- B. cereal
- C. mentor
- D. volcano
5
Question 5
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. Maths is Ana's strong point, but spelling is her Achilles' heel. What is an "Achilles' heel"?
- A. a sore foot
- B. a fast runner
- C. a weak spot
- D. a favourite subject
6
Question 6
Read the question. Which word comes from Atlas, the giant in Greek myth who held up the sky?
- A. panic
- B. cereal
- C. atlas
- D. echo
7
Question 7
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. When the fire alarm rang, nobody panicked. What does "panicked" mean?
- A. moved slowly
- B. felt sudden wild fear
- C. laughed loudly
- D. sang together
8
Question 8
Read the question. Which word comes from Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain and farming?
- A. cereal
- B. volcano
- C. echo
- D. atlas
9
Question 9
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. Everything the new shop owner tries is a success; she has the Midas touch. What does "the Midas touch" mean?
- A. the ability to make things successful
- B. bad luck
- C. very cold hands
- D. a gentle way of touching
10
Question 10
Read the question. Which word comes from Atlas, the giant in Greek myth who held up the sky?
- A. echo
- B. cereal
- C. panic
- D. atlas
11
Question 11
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. The new sports hall was titanic. What does "titanic" mean?
- A. very old
- B. tiny
- C. enormous
- D. made of glass
12
Question 12
Read the question. Which word comes from Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain and farming?
- A. atlas
- B. echo
- C. volcano
- D. cereal
13
Question 13
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. Their trip across the country by bike was a real odyssey. What does "odyssey" mean?
- A. a short walk
- B. a long journey full of adventures
- C. a holiday at home
- D. a race
14
Question 14
Read the question. Which word comes from Odysseus, a Greek hero who took ten years to sail home?
- A. echo
- B. odyssey
- C. titanic
- D. mentor
15
Question 15
Use the sentence to work out the meaning. When the fire alarm rang, nobody panicked. What does "panicked" mean?
- A. felt sudden wild fear
- B. laughed loudly
- C. sang together
- D. moved slowly
16
Question 16
Read the question. Which word comes from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and metalwork?
- A. mentor
- B. panic
- C. cereal
- D. volcano

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Answer key: Words from myths (a Herculean task, an Achilles' heel)

1. B. It caused lots of unexpected problems.
2. A. arachnid
3. D. a weak spot
4. D. volcano
5. C. a weak spot
6. C. atlas
7. B. felt sudden wild fear
8. A. cereal
9. A. the ability to make things successful
10. D. atlas
11. C. enormous
12. D. cereal
13. B. a long journey full of adventures
14. B. odyssey
15. A. felt sudden wild fear
16. D. volcano