Through the Eyes of a Spider

Transcription

1 UNIT 5 WEEK 1 Read the passage Through the Eyes of a Spider before answering Numbers 1 through 5. Through the Eyes of a Spider My name is Arachne, and centuries ago I was the greatest human weaver in all of Greece. I would take filaments of silver, gold, and all the colors of the rainbow and weave them into magnificent rugs and tapestries. I was the very best, and I made sure everyone knew it, bragging and boasting about my amazing talent to anyone who would listen. Looking back, I can see I was being juvenile, but I was so young and talented. Can you really blame me for being proud? I still remember the day I took the boasting one step too far. I had just finished weaving a wondrous tapestry; it showed a scene so realistic you could almost see the people in it moving. Not only am I the greatest weaver among Greeks, I cried out in my pride, I am a better weaver even than the goddess Minerva herself! Of course, Minerva could not leave such a challenge unanswered. The goddess was generous at first, appearing to me disguised as an old woman with a warning: my bragging would get me into trouble. But when I refused to back down, Minerva revealed herself and challenged me to a weaving contest. So we set up our looms side by side, and we both began to weave. I peeked at Minerva s work and saw that she was creating a thrilling scene of a long-ago competition between herself and the god of the sea. As for myself, I was full of pride and determined to show that the gods could be as selfish and silly as humans. Therefore, I began to weave a scene that showed every instance when the gods had misbehaved and acted like fools. As soon as Minerva caught sight of what I had woven, she became furious. As I looked into the angry eyes of the goddess, I finally realized just what I had done. Not only had I insulted the goddess Minerva, I had mocked the behavior of all the gods. Don t be alarmed, Arachne, she said in voice that was soft but filled with terrible menace. Be... downright... terrified. Her voice rose to an angry pitch as she said, I m going to make you so hideous that nobody will be able to bear the sight of you! I will make it impossible for you to weave ever again! 212 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1

2 UNIT 5 WEEK 1 Sobbing in horror, I fell to my knees and begged the goddess to be merciful. The idea of being made unsightly frightened me deeply, but even worse was the thought of losing my weaving forever. Something in my pleas moved Minerva. There must be a punishment, she said sternly, and it will not be temporary, but I will not take your art away from you. From this day on, you will live in dark corners and people will shrink from you. You will no longer be able to glorify your talents and challenge the gods, but you will be allowed to weave. Then her serious expression cleared, and she flashed a smile. Given time, you might even become good at it again, she added before she vanished. The change was quite traumatic, let me tell you! But now here I am, quietly weaving my webs in caves and basements. And I have become quite good at it. See how the silvery-white threads of my web sparkle when they catch a ray of light! It s almost beautiful enough to be the work of a goddess. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 213

3 Now answer Numbers 1 through 5. Base your answers on Through the Eyes of a Spider. 1 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: What is the theme of the passage? A Do not be too proud. B Always do your best work. C Choose your friends wisely. D Do not be afraid to take risks. Part B: Which detail from the passage best shows the theme? A Arachne is good at weaving. B Minerva shows she can be kind. C Arachne is punished for her actions. D Minerva pretends to be an old woman. 2 Read the sentence from the passage. I would take filaments of silver, gold, and all the colors of the rainbow and weave them into magnificent rugs and tapestries. The word filament comes from the Latin word filare, which means to spin or to draw out in a long line. Which material does Arachne most likely use? A clay B paints C paper D threads 214 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1

4 3 Choose the main problem in the passage and one piece of evidence that helps to show this problem. Write them in the chart. Main Problem Text Evidence Problems: Arachne is young and very foolish. Arachne offends the goddess Minerva. Arachne believes she is better than the gods. Arachne weaves a tapestry that mocks the gods. Text Evidence: I was the very best, and I made sure everyone knew it, but I was so young and talented. I had just finished weaving a wondrous tapestry;... The goddess was generous at first,... Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 215

5 4 At the end of the passage, how does Arachne create a problem for herself? A by making Minerva jealous B by saying she is the best human weaver C by weaving a tapestry that insults the gods D by bragging that she is better than all of the gods 5 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: Read the sentence from the passage. The change was quite traumatic, let me tell you! The Greek word trauma means wound. Which best describes something traumatic? A angry B painful C sudden D thrilling Part B: Which other word has the Greek word trauma? A automatic B drama C translate D traumatize 216 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1

6 Read the passage Rainbow Crow before answering Numbers 6 through 10. UNIT 5 WEEK 1 Rainbow Crow The people of the Lenape nation lived for thousands of years on the land that is now called Pennsylvania. They tell this story about Crow and how he saved the animals from a ferocious winter. One day, the animals saw sparkling white crystals falling from the sky to coat the ground in a deep, fluffy layer. The animals were curious about the snow, for they had never seen such a thing, but they soon discovered that the snow was not just a decoration for Earth it was potentially dangerous. The animals decided to send a messenger to the Great Sky Spirit to ask for help. But which animal would be chosen to make the difficult journey? The animals considered Owl because of her wisdom and because she was an aerial creature. But she was nocturnal; the bright light of day would confuse her. As the animals debated, Rainbow Crow flew down from a tall tree. His colorful feathers glistened in the light. He said, I will go to the Great Sky Spirit and stop the snow. Rainbow Crow flew for three days, leaving behind Earth, Moon, and clouds. At last he reached the Great Sky Spirit. Please, Great Spirit, help us, he pleaded in his musical voice. You are a potent spirit, so you can stop the snow. The Great Sky Spirit was impressed, both by Rainbow Crow s splendid beauty and by his courage in making the trip. But he could not stop the snow or the cold, for they were controlled by the Snow Spirit and the Wind Spirit. The Great Sky Spirit could, however, give Crow the gift of fire to bring back so that he and his friends could warm themselves. So Crow took a stick with fire on one end and began the three-day journey back to Earth. On the first day, Crow s feathers began to lose their color as they were covered with ash and smoke from the fire. On the second day, his splendid plumage had turned entirely black from the fire s soot. On the third day, the fire had shortened the stick, and the smoke blew into Crow s mouth, making his voice hoarse and rough. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 217

7 UNIT 5 WEEK 1 When Crow returned to Earth at last, the animals were all nearly buried in the snow. Crow wasted no time in using the fire to melt the snow and help his friends warm up. All the animals rejoiced, and Crow was acclaimed for his bravery. But Crow was saddened by the loss of his gorgeous colors and his sweet voice, so he flew away to weep alone. The sounds of Crow s sobbing reached the Great Sky Spirit and touched his heart. The Great Spirit came down to the tree where Crow had sought solitude. Do not weep for your loss, he consoled. Soon people will appear among you. They will hunt many animals. But they will never hunt you for food because your flesh tastes like ash. They will never chase you for your feathers because they are black as night. I have delivered you from the threat of being hunted by people. Crow took comfort in these words. With a triumphant caw, he launched himself into the sky to enjoy his freedom. 218 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1

8 Now answer Numbers 6 through 10. Base your answers on Rainbow Crow. 6 Underline the phrase that shows the snow is a problem for the animals. One day, the animals saw sparkling white crystals falling from the sky to coat the ground in a deep, fluffy layer. The animals were curious about the snow, for they had never seen such a thing, but they soon discovered that the snow was not just a decoration for Earth it was potentially dangerous. 7 Read the sentence from the passage. The animals considered Owl because of her wisdom and because she was an aerial creature. The word aerial includes the Greek word aer, which means air. What does aerial show about Owl? A She can fly. B She is wise. C She falls from the sky. D She is hard to understand. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 219

9 8 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: How does the Great Sky Spirit help the animals? A He gives them fire. B He gives them people. C He turns Rainbow Crow black. D He stops the snow from falling. Part B: Which sentence from the passage shows how the Great Sky Spirit helps? A You are a potent spirit, so you can stop the snow. B The Great Sky Spirit was impressed, both by Rainbow Crow s splendid beauty and by his courage in making the trip. C The Great Sky Spirit could, however, give Crow the gift of fire to bring back so that he and his friends could warm themselves. D I have delivered you from the threat of being hunted by people. 9 Which problem does Crow face after visiting the Great Sky Spirit? A Snow begins to fall. B Crow must find Owl. C People appear on Earth. D Crow loses his rainbow colors. 220 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1

10 10 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: Read the sentence from the passage. The Great Spirit came down to the tree where Crow had sought solitude. The word solitude comes from the Latin word solus, which means alone. What does the word solitude tell about Crow? A He lives in the tree. B He is the only one in the tree. C He does not have any animal friends. D He does not want to talk to the Great Spirit. Part B: Which phrase from the passage helps to show what solitude means? A All the animals rejoiced,... B... Crow was acclaimed for his bravery. C... saddened by the loss... D... flew away to weep alone. STOP Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 221