About
For nearly twenty years, Odysseus has fought terrifying giants and monsters, weathered the loss of his men, and angered gods and goddesses. Now he is trapped on the island of the alluring sea goddess, Calypso. Back in Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, and their son, Telemachus, are desperately warding off the suitors who want to marry Penelope in order to take control of Odysseus's island. Then a visit from a mysterious stranger gives Telemachus the courage to confront the suitors, and to head off in search of his long-lost father. Could the stranger be the gray-eyed warrior goddess, Athena?
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
How does this story begin?
Page 13 — Odysseus has been captive on Calypso’s island for 7 years; the story turns to what’s happening at Odysseus’s home with his family
13
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Explain what Mentor commanded Telemachus to do?
Page 30 — Get rid of the suitors, go in search of his father, make a name for himself, have strength and courage
30
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Why did Telemachus think Athena came to him?
Page 41 — Mentor’s spear was like hers, his sandals were like hers, his gray eyes shone like her eyes, she had favored Odysseus before
41
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
How did Athena help Telemachus in this chapter?
Page 52 — Find a crew for the ship; put everyone to sleep at his home so they wouldn’t know what he was doing; sailed on the ship with him
52
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What’s causing Telemachus to look like a god?
Page 67 — His presence and confidence
67
Why is Telemachus traveling to see King Menelaus?
Page 64 — He was the last to arrive home after the Trojan War and might have seen or heard what happened to Odysseus
64
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What does it mean to “hold fast”?
Page 80 — Hold on tight and not let go
80
Predict what Telemachus is going to do.
Page 81 — Listen to your child’s answer
81
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
How did Calypso help Odysseus prepare for his journey?
Page 91 — She gave him a bronze ax; gave him linen cloth for a sail; gave food for the journey; told him what stars to follow; blew a fair warm breeze out to sea
91
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
How did Odysseus survive swimming in the ocean for three days?
Page 99 — He had a veil from the white goddess and Athens kept the winds calm
99
How has Athena answered Odysseus’s prayer?
Page 103 — She’s sending Telemachus to find him; she helped him get to shore, helped him sleep and took away his sorrow and pain
103
Downloads
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Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
