… FACTUAL QUESTIONS …
How were epics transmitted from generation to generation?
Ans. Epics may be composed and sung or recited for many years before they are actually written down. In this way epics were transmitted from generation to generation.
Have you seen any of these stories in TV serials or movies?
Ans. Yes, I have seen both Ramayana and Mahabharata serials
Who are considered to be the authors of epics ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ respectively?
Ans. Valmiki is considered to be the author of ‘Ramayana’ and Ved Vyas is considered to be the author of ‘Mahabharata’.
Why is Homer honoured with the title ‘Father of European Poetry’ ?
Ans. It is believed that ‘The Iliad’ and ‘The Odyssey’ the two great epics of European literature were composed and recited by Homer and so he is honoured with the title ‘Father of European Poetry’ .
How did the location of Troy help it to grow into a very rich, prosperous city?
Ans. It was well situated, both for commerce and agriculture. In front of the city was the sea over which sailed the ships of Troy, carrying goods and grain. At the back rose the high peak of Mount Ida, from which flowed many rivers and streams. The valleys among the hills were well-watered and fertile, with corn growing in fertile fields and cattle feeding on the rich grass of the meadows while sheep fed on the slopes of the hills. All these helped it to grow into a very rich, prosperous city.
How were the Trojans protected during wartime?
Ans. Round their city the Trojans had built a strong wall so that no enemy should attack them from the sea. The wall was so broad that people could stand and sit and walk on it. In time of war the gates would be closed; and then the city was like a strong fortress, quite safe from all attack, protected by the walls surrounding it, as well as by the hills behind.
What was the cause of the ten year old war between the Greeks and Trojans?
Ans. Paris, a prince of Troy, had persuaded Helen, wife of a Greek king Menelaus, to elope with him. He had brought her to Troy. The Greeks wanted to take revenge on Troy for the wrong done to Menelaus.
Find the story of why Helen was persuaded by the goddess Aphrodite to elope with Paris.
Ans. Helen was a beautiful married woman. Goddess Aphrodite promised Paris, that she would get him the most beautiful woman as his bride. Since there was no way she could fulfill her promise to Paris, she influenced Helen to elope with Paris
…ENGLISH WORKSHOP…
1. Read the passage and name the following.
(a) He composed the Illiad and Odyssey : ………………
(b) He persuaded Helen to elope with him : ………………
(c) She was wife of the King Menelaus : ………………
(d) He led the defence of Troy for nine years : ………………
(e) He was killed by a poisoned arrow that entered his heel : ………………
Ans.
(a) He composed the Illiad and Odyssey : Homer.
(b) He persuaded Helen to elope with him : Paris.
(c) She was wife of the King Menelaus : Helen.
(d) He led the defence of Troy for nine years :Hector.
(e) He was killed by a poisoned arrow that entered his heel : Achilles.
2. Find antonyms of the following from the passage.
(a) barren × ………………..
(b) offended × ………………..
(c) cowardly × ………………..
(d) peace × ………………..
(e) surrender × ………………..
(f) exposed × ………………..
(g) defenceless × ………………..
Ans.
(a) barren × fertile
(b) offended × pleased
(c) cowardly × bravely
(d) peace × war
(e) surrender × attack
(f) exposed × protected
(g) defenceless × safe
3. From other sources find synonyms of the following words used in the story.
(a) great (hero) (b) beautiful (woman) (c) fight (verb) (d) rich (city) (e) safe (f) strong (city) (g) brave
Ans.
(a) great (hero) – brave
(b) beautiful (woman) – pretty
(c) fight (verb) – attack
(d) rich (city) – prosperous
(e) safe – protected
(f) strong (city) – well protected
(g) brave – courageous
4. Correct the following sentences using facts from the passage.
(a) Troy traded in cattle and grass, with other cities.
(b) During war, Trojans jumped over the fort gates to fight the enemy.
(c) Helen eloped with Menelaus. (d) Troy was attacked because it was a strong, rich city.
(e) The Greek armies and heroes always defeated the Trojans.
(f) Both the enemies were eager to continue fighting.
(g) The great heroes avoided one another.
(h) Achilles was killed by an arrow that pierced his heart.
(a) Troy traded in cattle and grass, with other cities.
Ans. Troy traded in goods and grain with other cities.
(b) During war, Trojans jumped over the fort gates to fight the enemy.
Ans. During war, the Trojans came out of the open fort gates to fight the enemy.
(c) Helen eloped with Menelaus.
Ans. Helen eloped with Paris, a prince of Troy.
(d) Troy was attacked because it was a strong, rich city.
Ans. Troy was attacked to take the revenge.
(e) The Greek armies and heroes always defeated the Trojans.
Ans. Sometimes the Trojans had the better of it and sometimes the Greeks.
(f) Both the enemies were eager to continue fighting.
Ans. Both the armies were eager to end their fighting.
(g) The great heroes avoided one another.
Ans. The great heroes tried to kill one another.
(h) Achilles was killed by an arrow that pierced his heart.
Ans. The Achilles was killed by a poisoned arrow that pierced his heel.
5. State the counter-action for the following actions.
Ans.
6. From either of our two Indian epics, find out which battle/war lasted the longest? Write down about its cause, the enemy armies, its heroes, its duration and the final outcome.
Ans.
7. Complete the following sentences with reference to the passage.
(a) Epics are long poems that .
(b) They may be composed and sung or recited for many years before .
(c) Nobody knows for certain who .
(d) It is believed that Homer, who and who to all who .
(e) At the back rose the high peak of Mount Ida, from which .
(a) Epics are long poems that……………..
Ans. Epics are long poems that relate the needs of a great national hero or a great national war.
(b) They may be composed and sung or recited for many years before …………..
Ans. They may be composed and sung or recited for many years before they are actually written down.
(c) Nobody knows for certain who …………
Ans. Nobody knows for certain who the author of these epics is.
(d) It is believed that …………. Homer, who …………… and who ………………… to all who ………………….
Ans. It is believed that The Iliad and The Odyssey were composed and recited by a blind poet named Homer, who lived about 900 BCE and who wandered from one Greek city or village to another, singing his poems to all who would receive him in their homes.
(e) At the back rose the high peak of Mount Ida, from which ……..….
Ans. At the back rose the high peak of Mount Ida, from which flowed many rivers and streams.
⇒ Underline the clauses in the above sentences and also the words that link or connect the clauses.
(1) Epics are long poems that relate the deeds of the great national war.
Ans. Main Clause: Epics are long poems
Subordinate Clause: that relate the deeds of the great national war.
Subordinating conjunction: that
(2) They may be composed and sung or recited for many years before they were written.
Ans. Main Clause: They may be composed and sung or recited for many years
Subordinate Clause: before they were written.
Subordinating conjunction: before
(3) Nobody knows for certain who the author of these early epics is.
Ans. Main Clause: Nobody knows for certain
Subordinate Clause: who the author of these early epics is.
Subordinating conjunction: who
(4) It is believed that The Iliad and the Odyssey were composed and recited by a blind poet named Homer, who lived about 900 BCE and who wandered from one Greek city or village to another, singing his poems to all who would receive him in their homes and give him hospitality.
Ans. Main Clause: It is believed
Subordinate Clause: that The Iliad and the Odyssey were composed and recited by a blind poet named Homer
Subordinating conjunction: that
Subordinate Clause: who lived about 900 BCE
Subordinating conjunction: who
Subordinate Clause: who wandered from one Greek city or village to another, singing his poems to all
Subordinating conjunction: who
Subordinate Clause: who would receive him in their homes and give him hospitality.
Subordinating conjunction: who