Arachne Weaver Comprehension Worksheet
CKLA Grade 2 • Greek Myths Domain 4 • Lesson 7
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🏛️ The Myth of Arachne the Weaver 🕸️
Read the classical myth below. Pay close attention to character motives, vocabulary, and key events.
Reading Passage
In ancient Greece, a young mortal maiden named Arachne was renowned across the countryside for her extraordinary weaving. Working swiftly at her wooden loom, she spun raw fleece into vibrant, glowing threads and created breathtaking tapestries. Travelers journeyed from distant towns just to marvel at her remarkable artistry.
However, endless praise filled Arachne with dangerous vanity. In Greek culture, humans were expected to show humility and honor the Olympian gods who bestowed talents upon mortals. Instead, Arachne grew haughty and boastful. She boldly declared, "I taught myself everything I know! Not even Athena, the goddess of crafts and wisdom, can weave as skillfully as I can!"
Goddess Athena heard this insult. Disguised as a wise old woman with a cane, Athena warned Arachne to seek forgiveness for her pride. But Arachne scoffed and demanded a weaving contest to prove her superiority. Casting aside her disguise, Athena revealed her radiant divine form, and the contest began.
Athena wove a glorious tapestry portraying the majesty of the twelve Olympians and warning mortals against defiance. In contrast, Arachne skillfully wove scenes that mocked and ridiculed the gods. Although Arachne's weaving was technically flawless, Athena was enraged by her supreme disrespect. Touching Arachne's forehead, Athena transformed her into a tiny spider, decreeing that Arachne and all her descendants would weave delicate silk webs forever.
Domain Vocabulary
mortal
A living human being who cannot live forever like a god.
tapestry
A heavy fabric woven with rich pictorial designs.
boastful
Speaking with excessive pride; bragging about oneself.
humility
Being modest and respectful rather than proud or arrogant.
Story Elements Chart: Record Key Details from the Myth
Main Characters:
Setting (Time & Place):
Major Conflict (Problem):
Resolution (How it Ends):
CKLA Knowledge • Greek Myths Turn to Page 2 for Comprehension Questions ➔ Page 1 of 2
Grade 2 Reading Comprehension
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Part 1: Fill in the bubble next to the ONE best answer for each question. Standard: RL.2.1, RL.2.3
1. Why did the ancient Greeks believe mortals should show humility to the gods?
A The gods paid mortals money for woven cloth.
B The gods bestowed special skills and talents upon mortals.
C Mortals were expected to challenge the gods to contests.
D Mortals were required to weave spider webs in towns.
2. In the passage, what does the word boastful describe about Arachne?
A She was quiet and gave all credit to others.
B She spoke with excessive pride and bragged about her skill.
C She shared her colorful fleece with poor travelers.
D She was afraid to show her tapestries to visitors.
3. What directly caused Athena to punish Arachne after the contest?
A Arachne's tapestry had crooked threads and poor colors.
B Arachne broke Athena's wooden loom during the contest.
C Arachne's tapestry mocked and showed disrespect to the gods.
D Arachne gave up and fled into the forest.
4. What central lesson or moral does the myth of Arachne convey?
A Always brag about your talents to gain respect.
B Wooden looms make stronger cloth than silk threads.
C Overwhelming pride and disrespect lead to downfall.
D Spiders are the only creatures skilled at making fabric.
Part 2: Text Evidence Response Write in complete sentences.
How did Athena's tapestry differ from Arachne's tapestry in what each picture showed?
Origin Myth Connection: Science & Mythology
Scientists classify spiders and scorpions in a group called arachnids. Based on this myth, why did scientists name this family after Arachne?
CKLA Knowledge • Greek Myths Excellent reading detective work! 🌟 Page 2 of 2
