3. PRE-READING
•Mythology is filled with stories of mortals
who dare to challenge the gods. Sometimes
the gods are amused by these challenges,
sometimes they are understanding;
sometimes they are _': Arachne [;) rak'ne]
is a young girl who dares to challenge
Athena. What is Athena's response?
4. About the Author
• Olivia Coolidge was born in London,
England, in 1908. She received her
education at Somerville College, Oxford
University, where her main subjects included
Latin, Greek, and philosophy. These studies
helped her earn her place in the pantheon of
children's literature through her
mythological re-telling demonstrating careful
research and the adroit capacity to bring the
past to life.
5. Unlocking of Difficulties
1.high standing loom: large, free-
standing machine for weaving thread into
cloth
2.obscure: difficult to understand
3.descend: originate
4.distaff: stick that holds the cotton or
wool before it is pulled thin into thread.
6. Unlocking of Difficulties
5. shuttle: device on the loom that moves the
thread back and forth through the thread that
runs up and down.
6. gorgeous: beautiful
7. indignantly: with restrained anger
8. obstinacy: stubbornness
9. skeins: strands of yarn coiled into bundles,
ready for weaving
7. PRE-TEST
1. The title "Arachne" suggests the story
might be about:
a) A famous warrior
b) A skilled craftswoman
c) A powerful monster
d) A wise teacher
8. PRE-TEST
2. The myth of Arachne likely involves:
a) A journey to a faraway land
b) A scientific discovery
c) A competition between two characters
d) A funny misunderstanding
9. PRE-TEST
3. Based on the title, what is a possible connection
between Arachne and Greek mythology?
a) She might be associated with a god or goddess.
b) She might be a brave hero.
c) She might be a creature with magical powers.
d) She might be a wise oracle.
10. PRE-TEST
4. Spiders are known for their ability to spin
webs. What might this symbolize in a story?
a)Great physical strength
b)Creativity and craftsmanship
c)Unrelenting anger
d)Utter laziness
11. PRE-TEST
5. The name "Arachne" sounds similar to
the word "arachnid." What are arachnids?
a) Flying insects with colorful wings
b) Soft-bodied animals like worms
c) Large, powerful mammals
d) Eight-legged creatures like spiders and
scorpions
12. PRE-TEST
6. Myths often involve conflicts between gods and
humans. Why might a human challenge a god?
a) To prove their own strength and skill
b) To show their respect and devotion
c) To ask the god for a favor
d) To become a god themselves
13. PRE-TEST
7. In Greek myths, Athena is the goddess of
what?
a) Love and beauty
b) War and violence
c) Wisdom and crafts
d) The underworld and death
14. PRE-TEST
8. Given the information above, what might be
the main conflict in the story of Arachne?
a) Arachne falls in love with a god.
b) Arachne boasts about her weaving skills,
angering a goddess.
c) Arachne seeks a magical object guarded by a
god.
d) Arachne accidentally releases a terrible
monster.
15. PRE-TEST
9. What is the most likely reason someone
named Arachne would be featured in a
story?
a) Their exceptional weaving skills.
b) Their bravery in battle.
c) Their knowledge of ancient history.
d) Their incredible physical strength.
16. PRE-TEST
10. Myths often explore themes like pride and
punishment. How might these themes be relevant
to the story of Arachne?
a) Arachne helps a god overcome their pride.
b) Arachne teaches a god the importance of
humility.
c) A god punishes a human for no reason.
d) Arachne's pride in her weaving leads to
punishment.
17. ANSWER KEY
1.b) A skilled craftswoman
2.c) A competition between two characters
3.a) She might be associated with a god or goddess.
4.b) Creativity and craftsmanship
5. d) Eight-legged creatures like spiders and
scorpions
18. ANSWER KEY
6. a) To prove their own strength and skill
7. c) Wisdom and crafts
8. b) Arachne boasts about her weaving skills,
angering a goddess.
9. a) Their exceptional weaving skills.
10. d) Arachne's pride in her weaving leads to
punishment.
19. Tone refers to the attitude of the writer
towards his subject.
Mood is the feeling created in the reader by a
literary work.
Arachne was a very talented spinner and
weaver but also arrogant, so arrogant she
challenged the goddess Athena to a contest.
Read the story to find out what happened
when the goddess accepted the challenge.
22. Instructions: Read each question carefully
and choose the BEST answer based on the
story "Arachne.
1.What was Arachne known for in the
story?
a) Her incredible strength
b) Her knowledge of herbs
c) Her exceptional weaving skills
d) Her royal lineage
23. POST READING
2. Who challenged Arachne to a weaving
competition?
a) Zeus, king of the gods
b) Athena, goddess of crafts
c) Poseidon, god of the sea
d) Aphrodite, goddess of love
24. POST READING
3. What were the main subjects depicted in
Arachne's tapestry?
a) Scenes of war and victory
b) Images of the gods' love affairs
c) Stories of human triumphs
d) Humorous portrayals of the gods
25. POST READING
4. How did Athena react to Arachne's tapestry?
a) She praised Arachne's skill and creativity.
b) She admired the beauty of the colors used.
c) She was angered by the portrayal of the gods.
d) She was secretly impressed by Arachne's
talent.
26. POST READING
5. What happened to Arachne's tapestry after
the competition?
a) It was displayed in a temple honoring Athena.
b) It was destroyed by Athena in a fit of rage.
c) It was preserved as a reminder of Arachne's
skill.
d) It was stolen by a jealous rival weaver.
27. POST READING
6. What was Arachne's punishment?
a) She was turned into a spider, forever weaving
webs.
b) She was banished to the underworld.
c) She was forced to become a servant to Athena.
d) She was stripped of her weaving skills.
28. POST READING
7. What is the main theme explored in the
story of Arachne?
a) The importance of respecting authority
b) The dangers of showing off
c) The power of revenge
d) The beauty of nature
29. POST READING
8. How does the story portray the goddess,
Athena?
a) As a kind and forgiving deity
b) As a wise and understanding teacher
c) As a jealous and vengeful goddess
d) As a playful and mischievous trickster
30. POST READING
9. What lesson can we learn from the story of
Arachne?
a) Hard work and dedication are always rewarded.
b) Never challenge a god or goddess to a
competition.
c) Always follow the rules, even if they seem unfair.
d) It's important to be humble and respectful of
those in power.
31. POST READING
10. How does the story describe the webs Arachne
creates after her transformation?
a) They are weak and fragile, reflecting her despair.
b) They are even more beautiful and intricate than
before.
c) They are powerful and capture anything that
touches them.
d) They are a constant reminder of her punishment.
32. ANSWER KEY
1.c) Her exceptional weaving skills
2.b) Athena, goddess of crafts
3.d) Humorous portrayals of the gods
4.c) She was angered by the portrayal of the gods.
5.b) It was destroyed by Athena in a fit of rage.
6.a) She was turned into a spider, forever weaving
webs.
33. ANSWER KEY
7. a) The importance of respecting authority
b) The dangers of showing off
8. c) As a jealous and vengeful goddess
9. d) It's important to be humble and respectful of
those in power.
10. a) They are weak and fragile, reflecting her
despair.
d) They are a constant reminder of her punishment.
34. POST READING
Arachne: A Summary with Themes and
Lessons
Arachne tells the story of a skilled weaver
named Arachne, known for her exceptional
talent and perhaps a touch of arrogance. Her
pride leads her to challenge Athena, the goddess
of crafts and wisdom, to a weaving competition.
35. During the competition, Arachne creates a
beautiful tapestry, but unlike Athena's scene of
glorious gods, Arachne depicts the gods' less savory
moments, particularly their love affairs. This display
of the gods' weaknesses angers Athena, who sees it
as a challenge to her authority and a mockery of the
divine.
In a fit of rage, Athena destroys Arachne's
tapestry and punishes the weaver by transforming
her into a spider, forever condemned to spin webs.
36. Themes:
Pride and Humility: The story is a cautionary tale
about the dangers of excessive pride. Arachne's belief
in her own superiority leads her to disrespect the
gods and ultimately results in her downfall.
Respect for Authority: The myth highlights the
importance of respecting those in power, particularly
the gods. Arachne's challenge to Athena is seen as an
act of defiance that cannot be tolerated.
37. Themes:
Hubris and its Consequences: Hubris, a Greek
term for excessive pride or arrogance, is a
recurring theme in mythology. The story of
Arachne emphasizes the negative consequences
that hubris can bring.
Creativity and its Limits: While the story
condemns Arachne's arrogance, it also
acknowledges her exceptional talent. The
competition itself suggests that creativity can be a
double-edged sword, leading to both admiration
and punishment.
38. Lessons:
Humility is important. Even with great talent,
it's crucial to maintain a sense of humility and
respect for others, especially those in positions
of power.
Respect for authority figures is essential.
While blind obedience isn't always the answer,
challenging authority in a disrespectful way can
have negative consequences.
39. Lessons:
Be mindful of the consequences of our
actions. Our choices, especially those fueled by
pride or arrogance, can have lasting
repercussions.
Appreciate your talents without arrogance.
Embrace your creativity and skills but be aware
that they should not lead to a sense of
superiority over others.
