Name
Date
Close Reading
Sample Answers
The Cave of the Cyclops
Read “The Cave of the Cyclops.” Then answer the questions below.
RL.5.2
Comprehension
Main Idea
1. In your own words, describe the main details of the story.
Score:
Odysseus and his soldiers were trapped in the giant Polyphemus’s
cave. The giant started to eat the people. Odysseus came up with
a plan of escape. He was able to trick the trick and blind the giant.
allowing him and his men to escape their ship.
RL.5.4
Comprehension
Word Meaning
2. What is the meaning of the word “cyclops” in the story?
Score:
A cyclops is a giant with only one eye.
What elements of the story helped you figure it out?
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The story describes Polyphemus as a “giant” who can roll enormous boulders.
The illustration also shows a large man with one eye moving a boulder. Later
in the story, Odysseus and his men injure Polyphemus’s “lone eye.”
The Cave of the Cyclops 1
RL.5.3* MF
Comprehension
Key Ideas & Details
3. Describe how Odysseus responds to the challenge of
being trapped in the giant’s cave.
Score:
Odysseus uses a combination of cleverness and courage to escape
from the giant. It is clever to use the name Nobody and to hide
under the bellies of the goats. It took courage to blind the giant.
RL.5.6* MF
Comprehension
Point of View
Score:
4. What is the narrator’s point of view of Odysseus and
Polyphemus? How would the story be different if the narrator
did not admire Odysseus?
The narrator sees Odysseus as a clever hero and Polyphemus
is viewed as a monster and a villain. Odysseus would be seen
more like a villain and we would feel sorry that Polyphemus.
RL.5.9 MF
Comprehension
Compare & Contrast
Score:
5. What are the similarities and differences in Odysseus’s
problem solving in “The Trojan Horse” and “The Cave of the
Cyclops”?
Odysseus thought creatively to solve both problems. He guessed
correctly that the Trojans would bring the large gift through the
gate. He also guessed correctly that Polyphemus would call out his
SL.5.1c
Speaking &
Listening
Peer Review
6. Review and discuss your responses with a partner. Check each
other’s understandings. Remember to ask your partner to clarify
if you don’t understand.
MF=Main Focus
* Standard adapted from another grade. Please see Lesson Plan for standard.
Score:
See Close Reading Scoring
2 MONDO BOOKSHOP GRADE 5
Rubric for scoring guidelines.
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name, seeking help from other giants on the island.