Inference
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Core Skills Workout
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Heroic Inferences
Directions: Odysseus never explains how he feels or what he plans to do to Polyphemus in The Monster in the
Cave. But you can put together clues in the play to infer what is happening. Read each set of lines from the
play. Think about the questions in small type on the sides. Then make an inference to answer each question
in bold.
1. Think about these lines from Scene 1:
Odysseus: There are some islands ahead. Look at the small one—it appears
nobody is there.
Eos: Isn’t that too close to the island of the Cyclopes?
What does this
line tell you about
the kind of person
Odysseus is?
Linus: They say the Cyclopes are giants that enjoy the taste of human
flesh—that they’re more powerful than the gods!
What can you guess
about how Eos and
Linus feel about
going to the island
of the Cyclopes?
Odysseus: More powerful than Zeus, the king of the gods? I think not . . .
How is Odysseus’ attitude about going to the island different from his men’s attitudes? What does this
tell you about Odysseus? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Now think about these lines from Scene 5:
How does
Polyphemus react
to Odysseus’
offering?
Odysseus: Enough, Cyclops! That’s six of my men you’ve devoured! How
can you treat your visitors this way? And to think that I brought you a drink
offering!
Polyphemus: A drink offering?
What do these lines tell you about what Odysseus plans to do?
How does Odysseus
feel about what
Polyphemus has done?
Why would
Odysseus offer
something nice to
someone who has
eaten six of his
friends? Hint:
He wouldn’t!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continued on next page >
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Inference
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Core Skills Workout
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Heroic Inferences, p. 2
3. Think about these lines from Scene 6:
Cyclops 3: Is somebody doing you harm?
Polyphemus: Ahh! Nobody has blinded me! Nobody is trying to kill me!
Why is
Cyclops 1 yelling
at Polyphemus?
Cyclops 1: If nobody is hurting you, then be quiet so we can get some sleep!
What does Cyclops 1 think is happening? Why did Odysseus tell Polyphemus that his name
was Nobody?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Think about the end of the play:
What is
Poseidon’s
relationship to
Polyphemus?
Polyphemus: Avenge me, great Poseidon! Grant that Odysseus never
reaches his home alive!
Homer: Odysseus sails into the setting sun, celebrating his victory. He has
no idea that Poseidon is furious . . . and things are about to get much, much
worse.
All Chorus: But that is a story for another day.
What does Homer suggest about Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Character
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Core Skills Workout
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
What a Character!
Character traits are the qualities a character has, like being kind or cruel, smart or silly. In this
activity, you will describe Odysseus’ traits using examples of his words and actions to support
your ideas.
Directions: Below are two adjectives that describe Odysseus. Find details and actions from the play that show
each trait. Then write two more things that Odysseus did and tell what character traits these actions suggest.
clever.
Odysseus is . . .
boastful.
I know this because
I know this because
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
________________________________________
✺
________________________________________
Another thing Odysseus does is Another thing Odysseus does is
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
This tells me he is ____________________________.
This tells me he is ____________________________.
You Write It! Choose two of the character traits above and write a letter from Polyphemus to Poseidon in
which Polyphemus complains about how Odysseus is using these traits to defeat him.
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Setting
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Core Skills Workout
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Understanding Setting
Directions: Setting is the time period and place in which a story happens. By describing the setting of a story,
an author can help you imagine living in the world of the characters. The Monster in the Cave takes place on
an island in Ancient Greece. Answer the questions below to help you understand the story’s location.
1. In Scene 1, where does Odysseus dock his ship? What is this place like?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. In Scene 2, where does Odysseus take his men? What is this place like?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. How does the setting of the cave change in Scene 3? How is the setting now an obstacle for Odysseus?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Think about the setting of the cave; it’s dark and shadowy inside, and the entrance is blocked by a boulder.
How does Odysseus use this setting to help him defeat Polyphemus?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Vocabulary
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Vocabulary Practice
Here are the vocabulary words from the play The Monster in the Cave.
Look at their meanings.
hospitality (noun) friendly and welcoming
treatment of visitors
sufficient (adjective) enough to achieve a goal
or fill a need
legion (noun) a very large number (especially
of soldiers)
swift (adjective) quick
mercy (noun) kind or forgiving treatment of
someone in a bad situation
treachery (noun) an act of harming someone
who trusts you
Directions: Fill in the circle next to the best answer to each question below.
1.Where would you most likely see a legion of
people?
A in a car
B in a school auditorium
C in a booth at a restaurant
D climbing a tree
4.Which of the following shows a person’s
hospitality?
A a teacher making photocopies
B a waiter welcoming guests to a restaurant
C a librarian telling someone to be quiet
D a father sending his daughter to her room
2.Which of the following would be described
as sufficient?
A tea overflowing from the pot
B three winter coats for a family of six
C one person on a seesaw
D chairs for every person in your class
5.Which of the following is closest in meaning
to treachery?
A tiredness
B talent
C humor
D hurtfulness
3.Which of the following means the opposite
of mercy?
A cruelty
B forgiveness
C quiet
D sadness
6.Select the best sentence to follow: “I gave a
swift answer to Hattie’s question.”
A “I hadn’t quite heard what she had asked.”
B “I had to think carefully first.”
C “I already knew exactly what I wanted to say.”
D “She wasn’t listening to me.”
Directions: Answer the questions below.
7. How might you make sure you have a swift recovery from a cold? ____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. What is an example of treachery? ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It!
Close-Reading Questions: After reading The Monster in the Cave, go back and reread
sections to answer the questions below.
1.What is the purpose of the prologue? What do you learn from it?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. In Scene 2, why do you think Odysseus wants to visit the island of the Cyclopes? What
does this tell you about him?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Reread Odysseus’ first line in Scene 3: “Hello, we are weary travelers . . .” Is he being
reasonable? Explain.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continued on next page >
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It! p. 2
4.How does Odysseus respond to Polyphemus’ eating two men in Scene 3? How does
Odysseus’ reaction differ from that of the other men?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Why does Odysseus give Polyphemus a drink offering?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. In Scene 6, what three things happen that are part of Odysseus’ plans?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continued on next page >
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It! p. 3
7. What character traits does Odysseus show in the plans he makes?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Why do you think Odysseus shouts at Polyphemus in Scene 7, rather than sailing away
quietly?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continued on next page >
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It! p. 4
Critical-Thinking Questions: After answering the close-reading questions, answer the
critical-thinking questions below, thinking about the meaning of the whole play.
9. Whose fault do you think it is that six of Odysseus’ men die?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Do you think Polyphemus deserves what happens to him?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. What does this play say about the power of intelligence versus strength?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It!
Directions: After reading The Monster in the Cave, go back and reread sections to answer the questions below.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
Close-Reading Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the prologue? What do you learn from it?
2. In Scene 2, why do you think Odysseus wants to visit the island of the Cyclopes? What does this tell
you about him?
3. Reread Odysseus’ first line in Scene 3: “Hello, we are weary travelers . . .” Is he being reasonable?
Explain.
4. How does Odysseus respond to Polyphemus’ eating two men in Scene 3? How does Odysseus’ reaction
differ from that of the other men?
5.Why does Odysseus give Polyphemus a drink offering?
6. In Scene 6, what three things happen that are part of Odysseus’ plans?
7. What character traits does Odysseus show in the plans he makes?
8.Why do you think Odysseus shouts at Polyphemus in Scene 7, rather than sailing away quietly?
Critical-Thinking Questions:
9. W
hose fault do you think it is that six of Odysseus’ men die?
10. Do you think Polyphemus deserves what happens to him?
11. What does this play say about the power of intelligence versus strength?
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
LL
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It!
Close-Reading Questions: Read The Monster in the Cave. Then go back and reread
scenes of the play to answer the questions below.
1.What do you learn about the Cyclopes in Scene 1?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.In Scene 2, why do you think Odysseus wants to meet the Cyclops who lives in the
cave? Do you think this is a good idea?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continued on next page >
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
LL
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It! p. 2
3.What events in Scene 3 make Odysseus and Polyphemus dislike one another?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.In Scene 3, Telamon wants to attack Polyphemus. Why does Odysseus stop him?
What does Odysseus do instead?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continued on next page >
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
LL
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It! p. 3
5.Odysseus does several things to trick Polyphemus. What are two of them? What
does this tell you about Odysseus?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.What character traits does Odysseus show when he shouts at Polyphemus at the
end of the play?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continued on next page >
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Close Reading & Critical Thinking
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
LL
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Think About It! p. 4
Critical-Thinking Question (a big question about the whole story):
7.In their conflict with each other, Polyphemus uses his strength, and Odysseus
uses his intelligence. What do you think the play says about which trait is more
powerful?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Video Activity
The Monster in the Cave
November/December 2015
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Comparing Play and Video
Directions: Read the play The Monster in the Cave and watch the video “Cyclops: My Side of the Story.” How
are the characters Odysseus and Polyphemus presented in each? Choose words to describe each character, based
on how he acts in the play and in the video. Then provide evidence for your choices.
Possible Character Traits
brave
boastful
demanding
dim-witted
Odysseus
1. Trait (from the play):
____________________________
Evidence:
3. Trait (from the video):
____________________________
Evidence:
dishonest
mean
misunderstood
proud
smart
tricky
Polyphemus
2. Trait (from the play):
____________________________
Evidence:
4. Trait (from the video):
____________________________
Evidence:
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Assessment
November/December 2015
LL
Name:
Date:
The Monster in the Cave Quiz
Directions: Read the play The Monster in the Cave in the November/December 2015 issue of Storyworks.
Then fill in the bubble next to the best answer for each question below.
1. Which of the following best describes
Odysseus?
Abossy
Chumble
Bsmart
D kind
2.Why does Odysseus want to see Polyphemus’
cave?
A He is on a mission to defeat a Cyclops.
B He wants to learn about the Cyclopes and take
home gifts.
C He is hoping Polyphemus will eat his men.
D He feels bad about stealing supplies from
Polyphemus’ island without permission.
3.Which of the following was NOT part of
Odysseus’ escape plan?
A pretending he was named Nobody to trick the
Cyclopes into thinking all was well
B poking out Polyphemus’ eye
C taunting Polyphemus from the sea
D riding out of the cave underneath sheep
4.What does swift mean in the phrase
“Odysseus and his men were praying for
a swift and safe journey home . . . ”?
Aquick
Cexciting
Brelaxing
Dhealthy
5.As Odysseus sails away in the end, you
can infer that Polyphemus feels _____.
Aangry
Cheartbroken
Bannoyed
Dweak
6.Which line from the story supports the
answer to question 5?
A “Ahhh! My eye! What have you done?! I’m
blind! I’m blind!”
B “. . . why are you the last to leave my cave
today? Is it because you know your master
has lost his eye?”
C “The monster no longer has his eye, but he
still has his ears.”
D “Avenge me, great Poseidon! Grant that
Odysseus never reaches his home alive!”
Constructed Response
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, write your answer to each question in a well-organized response.
Make sure you support your answers with details from the play.
7. What examples from the play show that
Odysseus is smart?
8. I s Odysseus a hero or a rude uninvited
guest? Explain your answer, using
examples from the play.
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Assessment
November/December 2015
HL
Name:
Date:
The Monster in the Cave Quiz
Directions: Read the play The Monster in the Cave in the November/December 2015 issue of Storyworks.
Then fill in the bubble next to the best answer for each question below.
1. Which of the following best describes
Odysseus’ character?
Acareless
Bclever
Cmodest
Dkind
2.Which line from the play supports the answer
to question 1?
A “Hello, we are weary travelers on our way
home.”
B “Odysseus rides out last, under the largest ram.”
C “Now give me the present you promised.”
D “You should have taken better measure of me
before swallowing my men.”
3.What does swift mean in the phrase
“Odysseus and his men were praying for a
swift and safe journey home . . . ”?
Aquick
Brelaxing
Ceventful
Dhealthy
4.Why does Odysseus insist on going to see
Polyphemus’ cave?
A He is on a mission to defeat a Cyclops.
B He wants to learn about the Cyclopes and take
home gifts.
C He wants to steal supplies.
D He is hoping Polyphemus will eat his men.
5.Which of the following was NOT part of
Odysseus’ escape plan?
A pretending he was named Nobody to trick
the Cyclopes into thinking all was well
B poking out Polyphemus’ eye
C taunting Polyphemus from the sea
D riding out of the cave underneath sheep
6.As Odysseus sails away in the end, you
can infer that Polyphemus feels _____.
Aangry
Cheartbroken
Bconfused
Dweak
7. Which line from the story supports the
answer to question 6?
A “Tell me your name, and I will give you a
present.”
B “. . . why are you the last to leave my cave
today? Is it because you know your master
has lost his eye?”
C “The monster no longer has his eye, but he
still has his ears.”
D “Avenge me, great Poseidon! Grant that
Odysseus never reaches his home alive!”
8.What is the theme of the play?
A Good always defeats evil.
B Leaders often bring danger to the people
who follow them.
C Bravery is the greatest quality to have.
D Intelligence is more valuable than strength.
Constructed Response
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, write your answer to each question in a well-organized response.
Make sure you support your answers with details from the play.
9. What do you think is Odysseus’ best
10. I s Odysseus a hero or a rude intruder?
character trait? Explain your answer.
Explain your answer using examples
from the play.
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Cyclops Contest
My name:
Teacher’s name:
School name:
School address:
School phone:
(Remember to include your school’s city, state, and ZIP code!)
See page 21 of the November/December 2015 Storyworks for more information about this contest.
My Respo n se
What character traits does Odysseus use to defeat the Cyclops? Do you think Odysseus shows
any bad traits? Explain, using text evidence.
Entries will be judged on . . .
a a clearly stated main idea
a proper use of supporting details
a good organization
a grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Please continue on another piece of paper if you need more room.
© 2015 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.