Read each description of a character or myth and choose the correct meaning of the word or phrase related to it.
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1 | |
The Titans were the giant children of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaea (Earth).
The word titanic probably means __. |
| | A) | extremely large, strong, powerful, or important |
| | B) | relating to the earth and the heavens |
| | C) | very intelligent and able to foretell the future |
| | D) | having to do with boats and the sea |
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2 | |
Oedipus was known for (mistakenly) killing his father and marrying his mother.
The word Oedipal probably means __. |
| | A) | too detached from the parents |
| | B) | too emotionally involved with the father |
| | C) | too emotionally involved with the mother |
| | D) | angry and aggressive |
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3 | |
Prometheus was a Titan who formed men out of clay and gave them life by stealing fire from Mount Olympus.
The word Promethean probably means __. |
| | A) | dishonest, cruel, and evil |
| | B) | large and powerful |
| | C) | curious |
| | D) | inspiring; life-giving |
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4 | |
King Midas had the power to turn anything that he touched to gold.
If someone has "the Midas touch," it probably means that he or she __. |
| | A) | has an amazing ability to lose money |
| | B) | has financial stability |
| | C) | is a compulsive gambler |
| | D) | has an amazing ability to make money |
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5 | |
Achilles was a hero whose mother tried to make him immortal by dipping him in a magical river. Because she held him by the heel, that part of his body was not protected. and he was eventually killed when Paris, knowing Achilles's secret, shot him in the heel with an arrow.
An Achilles's heel is someone's __. |
| | A) | weak spot |
| | B) | unknown strength |
| | C) | secret mission |
| | D) | secret identity |
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6 | |
Tantalus was a king who was allowed to drink the nectar of the gods. When he abused that privilege, he was placed in the Underworld to stand in a pool of water that drew back every time he tried to drink, and under a tree with ripe fruit just beyond his reach.
The word tantalize probably means __. |
| | A) | to share everything that you have |
| | B) | to send away to a far away place |
| | C) | to tease or torment |
| | D) | to take advantage of someone or something |
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2003 McGraw-Hill Higher Education