The Odyssey and Epic Poetry: An Introduction, Part 1 — Cumulative exam
Question 31 • Online ELA 9 - A
Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.My heart beat high now at the chance of action,and drawing the sharp sword from my hip I wentalong his flank to stab him where the midriffholds the liver. I had touched the spotwhen sudden fear stayed me: if I killed him we perished there as well, for we could nevermove his ponderous doorway slab aside.So we were left to groan and wait for morning.
Answer
A
He thinks he can reason with the Cyclops in the morning.
B
He wants to make the Cyclops his ally and friend.
C
He knows that they cannot move the boulder blocking the doorway.
D
He feels sorry for the Cyclops who lives all by himself.
Explanation
Odysseus considers stabbing the Cyclops, but stops because killing him would leave the men trapped inside. He explains that they could not move the “ponderous doorway slab” blocking their exit. This shows that he knows they cannot move the boulder, so the correct choice is C.
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