Question

close read: analyze craft and structure
identify the choice that best answers the question.

the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.

part a
in the selection from tales from the odyssey, which universal theme can be drawn from the response of odysseus and his men to the storm?
a. acting foolishly only leads to mistakes.
b. never give up in the face of a difficulty.
c. just wait patiently and trouble will pass.
d. overcome challenges by planning ahead.

part b
which excerpt from the selection best supports the answer to part a?
a. soon after the greek ships left troy, the skies began to blacken. lightning zig - zagged above the foamy sea. thunder shook the heavens.
b. why was zeus, god of the skies, hurling his thunderbolts at them? why was poseidon, lord of the seas, sending great waves over the waters?
c. the greeks struggled valiantly against the mighty wind and waves. fighting for their lives, they finally rowed their battered ships to a strange shore.
d. the storm raged for two more days and nights. then, on the third day, a fair wind blew, the sun came out, and the wine - dark sea was calm at last.

Explanation:

Part A

To determine the universal theme from Odysseus and his men's response to the storm, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The scenario doesn't focus on foolish actions leading to mistakes.
• Option B: The men "struggled valiantly" and "fought for their lives" against the storm, showing perseverance in difficulty, so this fits.
• Option C: They actively struggled, not just waited passively.
• Option D: There's no indication of planning ahead; they reacted to the storm as it happened.

We need an excerpt that supports the theme of not giving up.

• Option A: Describes the storm, not the response.
• Option B: Questions the gods' actions, not the men's response.
• Option C: Shows the Greeks actively struggling ("valiantly against... waves", "fighting for their lives") to overcome the storm, supporting the theme of perseverance.
• Option D: Describes the storm ending, not the men's effort.

Answer:

B. Never give up in the face of a difficulty.

Part B