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 Ouch! Next time, if you yell just a little louder you ll be heard in the next county! Yes, I get quite weary of hearing everyone scream when they spot little old me in the middle of my creation. All you see is a black spider in its web, but the ancient Greeks and Romans knew how I became what you see now. My name is Arachne, and centuries ago I was human, and I was the greatest 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 and to some who would rather not. Looking back, I can see I was being juvenile and hopelessly annoying, 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! Seriously, what was I thinking? Of course, Minerva could not leave such a challenge unanswered. How can the gods continue to reign over the world if we humans exceed them in our arts and our skills? 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. The looms taunted each other as they rocked with creative activity. 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. Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 241
UNIT 5 WEEK 1 Not surprisingly, 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 challenged the goddess Minerva, I had mocked the behavior of all the gods. I was in more trouble than I ever wanted to think about. 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 nobody will be able to bear the sight of you! I m going to make it impossible for you to weave ever again! 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. How could I live if I could not create my beautiful pictures from thread? 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 barns and basements. And I have become quite good at it, if I may say so myself. 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. 242 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1
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: Which statement best summarizes the theme of the passage? A Do your best work at all times to be successful. B Taking risks can lead to opportunities. C Choose your friends wisely. D Do not be too proud. Part B: Which details from the text best support your answer in part A? Select two options. A Arachne brags about her skills. B Minerva shows Arachne mercy. C Arachne is very good at weaving. D Arachne is punished for her actions. E Minerva disguises herself as an old woman. F Minerva gives Arachne a chance to apologize. 2 Read the sentence from the text. I would take filaments of silver, gold, and all the colors of the rainbow and weave them into magnificent rugs and tapestries. The origin of the word filament is the Latin word filare, meaning to spin or to draw out in a long line. What type of materials does Arachne most likely use? A fine threads B C D bright paints smooth paper modeling clay Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 243
3 Identify the main problem in the passage and two pieces of evidence that support your answer. Choose from the list below and write the sentences 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:... centuries ago I was human,... 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,...... I had mocked the behavior of all the gods. 244 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1
4 At the end of the passage, how does Arachne bring punishment upon herself? A by boasting that she is better than all the gods B by weaving a tapestry that makes fun of the gods C by claiming she is the best weaver in all of Greece D by weaving tapestries that make Minerva jealous of her skills 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 origin of the word trauma is a Greek word meaning wound. Which best describes the traumatic experience that the narrator has? A a sudden turn B a serious injury C a painful surprise D a thrilling experience Part B: Which word most likely has the same origin as traumatic? A automatic B drama C translate D traumatize Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 245
UNIT 5 WEEK 1 Read the passage Rainbow Crow before answering Numbers 6 through 10. Rainbow Crow The people of the Lenape nation lived on the land that is now called Pennsylvania for thousands of years. They tell this story about Crow and how he saved the animals from a ferocious winter. Before humans ever walked upon the land, there were forests and meadows, oceans and rivers. The animals led a comfortable life, feeding on Earth s abundant plants. The Great Sky Spirit illuminated the sky, and the animals never knew cold or snow. 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 smaller animals, such as Mouse and Rabbit, disappeared beneath the deepening snow. They also began to feel the cold that made them shiver even under their lush fur. The animals decided to meet to discuss what should be done. They concluded that they must send a messenger to the Great Sky Spirit to ask for help, but which animal would be chosen to make the difficult journey? Coyote might be a good choice because he was clever. But he was easily distracted; he might waste precious time chasing after clouds on his way to the Great Sky Spirit s home. The animals also 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 as 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, until 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. 246 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1
UNIT 5 WEEK 1 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. 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, saddened by the loss of his gorgeous colors and his sweet voice, 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, and they will hunt many animals. But they will never hunt you for food because your flesh tastes like ash, and 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. Looking at himself with a fresh gaze, he could see rainbows reflected in his black feathers where the light of the sun touched them. With a triumphant caw, he launched himself into the sky to enjoy his freedom. Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 247
Now answer Numbers 6 through 10. Base your answers on Rainbow Crow. 6 Underline the sentence that states the main problem in the passage. The people of the Lenape nation lived on the land that is now called Pennsylvania for thousands of years. They tell this story about Crow and how he saved the animals from a ferocious winter. Before humans ever walked upon the land, there were forests and meadows, oceans and rivers. The animals led a comfortable life, feeding on Earth s abundant plants. The Great Sky Spirit illuminated the sky, and the animals never knew cold or snow. 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 also considered Owl because of her wisdom and because she was an aerial creature. The origin of the word aerial is the Greek word aer, meaning air. What does the word aerial help to explain about Owl? A She can fly. B She is very wise. C She lives in the clouds. D She seems very mysterious. 248 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1
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 by giving Rainbow Crow a stick with fire B by turning Rainbow Crow s feathers black C by stopping the snow and ending the winter D by offering to protect the animals from people Part B: Which sentence from the passage best supports your answer in part A? 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 problems does Crow face after visiting the Great Sky Spirit? Select two problems. A Small animals are buried beneath the snow. B Crow must fly while holding a stick of fire. C Crow no longer has a beautiful voice. D People begin to appear on Earth. E Crow loses his rainbow colors. F Snow begins to fall. Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 249
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 origin of the word solitude is the Latin word solus, meaning alone. What does the word solitude suggest about Crow? A He lives in the tree because there are no other trees around. B He is the only one in the tree when the Great Spirit comes. C He does not want to talk to the Great Spirit. D He does not have any true animal friends. Part B: Which phrase from the text helps to show the meaning of the word solitude? A All the animals rejoiced, B Crow was acclaimed for his bravery, C saddened by the loss D flew away to weep alone STOP 250 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1
Now answer Number 11. Base your answer on Through the Eyes of a Spider and Rainbow Crow. 11 Compare and contrast the points of view in the texts. How do the narrators help readers understand the lesson or theme of each passage? Support your answer with details from both texts. Weekly Assessment Unit 5, Week 1 Grade 6 251