Unit 6 • Assessment Read the story about a Greek hero’s adventures. Then answer the questions. Bellerophon 1 Long ago, in the city of Ephyre, there lived a handsome young man named Bellerophon. His father was said to be the mighty Poseidon, god of the sea. His mother, though a mortal, had been a prize student of the goddess Athena. 2 Above all else, Bellerophon wanted to ride the great winged horse Pegasus. But how might a mortal catch and tame the amazing steed? 3 A wise man counseled him, “Spend the night at the temple of Athena. Perhaps she will help you.” Bellerophon followed the wise man’s advice. 4 During the night, Bellerophon dreamed that Athena paid him a visit. With her, she carried a golden object. “Awaken,” she said, “and I shall give you everything you need.” 5 Bellerophon arose instantly, but the goddess had disappeared. In the place where she had stood during his vision, he found a golden bridle. He knew this was a gift from the goddess to help him win the great horse. 6 Bellerophon soon went off to search for Pegasus. He found the horse drinking from a spring. When Bellerophon approached, the horse allowed the young man to bridle him. From that day, Bellerophon took long journeys and shared many adventures with the wondrous horse. 7 One day, the King of Lycia asked him to slay the monster Chimera. The beast had the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and a serpent’s tail. Its breath was a flame that could not be quenched. The Chimera was said to be invincible. continued Grade 4 • Benchmark Advance Weekly and Unit Assessments • ©2017 Benchmark Education Company, LLC 123 Unit 6 Assessment (continued) 8 The task proved to be simple for clever Bellerophon and his amazing horse. On Pegasus’s back, he flew above the monster. It blasted fire into the air, but the fire never reached the horse or its master. The Chimera growled like a lion, leapt like a goat, and thrashed like a serpent. 9 Bellerophon only laughed. “Take an arrow for each man you have slain,” he said. Then he shot one arrow after another into the horrid creature until it perished. 10 Upon his return, Bellerophon and Pegasus were called upon to battle other monsters and to defeat the women warriors known as Amazons. His brave deeds won him the friendship of kings and the hand of a princess in marriage. 1. What event begins the action in this story? A Bellerophon lives in the city of Ephyre. B Bellerophon is the son of Poseidon. C Bellerophon kills the monster Chimera. D Bellerophon sees Athena in a dream. 2. Which sentence states a main theme of this story? A A wise person is a strong person. B A cruel person will fail in the end. C A brave person can overcome great difficulties. D A happy person spreads happiness to others. 3. In modern usage, the word chimera refers to — A a god or goddess. B any imaginary monster. C a faraway place. D an impossible task. 124 Grade 4 • Benchmark Advance Weekly and Unit Assessments • ©2017 Benchmark Education Company, LLC Unit 6 Assessment (continued) 4. This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B. Part A Based on details from the story, which statement about Bellerophon is true? A His actions helped many people. B His cleverness surprised the Amazons. C His strength frightened the Chimera. D His achievements won him eternal love. Part B Which sentence from the story supports the answer to Part A? A “From that day, Bellerophon took long journeys and shared many adventures with the wondrous horse.” B “The task proved to be simple for clever Bellerophon and his amazing horse.” C “The Chimera growled like a lion, leapt like a goat, and thrashed like a serpent.” D “Upon his return, Bellerophon and Pegasus were called upon to battle other monsters and to defeat the women warriors known as Amazons.” 5. Which sentence from the story supports the idea that the Chimera had caused the death of many men? Underline the sentence you choose. One day, the King of Lycia asked him to slay the monster Chimera. The beast had the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and a serpent’s tail. Its breath was a flame that could not be quenched. The Chimera was said to be invincible. The task proved to be simple for clever Bellerophon and his amazing horse. On Pegasus’s back, he flew above the monster. It blasted fire into the air, but the fire never reached the horse or its master. Chimera growled like a lion, leapt like a goat, and thrashed like a serpent. Bellerophon only laughed. “Take an arrow for each man you have slain,” he said. Then he shot one arrow after another into the horrid continued creature until it perished. Grade 4 • Benchmark Advance Weekly and Unit Assessments • ©2017 Benchmark Education Company, LLC 125 Unit 6 Assessment (continued) 6. Choose four sentences that belong in a summary of Bellerophon’s feats and put the events in time order by writing a number from 1 (first) to 4 (last) on the line next to the event. (Three events will not be used.) Sentences: —— Chimera, with the head of a lion, breathes a terrible fire. —— Bellerophon rides Pegasus to slay the monster Chimera. —— Bellerophon, the son of Poseidon, spends the night in a temple. —— Bellerophon battles other monsters and defeats the Amazons. —— Athena visits Bellerophon in a dream, leaving him a golden bridle. —— Bellerophon’s mother was a favored student of the goddess Athena. —— Bellerophon uses Athena’s bridle to ride the winged Pegasus. 7. In paragraph 6, what is the meaning of wondrous? A able to wonder B without wonder C full of wonder D one who wonders 126 Grade 4 • Benchmark Advance Weekly and Unit Assessments • ©2017 Benchmark Education Company, LLC.