Book IX Quiz — The Odyssey

Where is Odysseus when he begins telling the story of his adventures?

• On his ship approaching Ithaca
• At the court of King Alcinous among the Phaeacians
• In the cave of the Cyclops
• At the palace of Circe

Why do the Cicones defeat Odysseus's men at Ismarus?

• Odysseus's ships were damaged in a storm
• The men refused to fight and tried to flee
• The men disobeyed Odysseus and stayed too long, allowing reinforcements to arrive
• The gods sent a plague upon the Greek forces

What false name does Odysseus give Polyphemus?

• Sinon
• Noman (Nobody)
• Mentor
• Eperitus

Where did Odysseus obtain the wine he uses to intoxicate Polyphemus?

• From the Lotus-Eaters
• From King Alcinous
• From Maron, a priest of Apollo at Ismarus
• From the goddess Circe

What material is the stake that Odysseus uses to blind Polyphemus made from?

• Pine
• Ash
• Olive wood
• Bronze

What is the relationship between Polyphemus and Poseidon?

• Polyphemus is Poseidon's servant
• Poseidon created the Cyclopes
• Polyphemus is Poseidon's son
• They are sworn enemies

According to Polyphemus's curse, how will Odysseus return home?

• He will never return at all
• He will return quickly but find his home destroyed
• He will return late, alone, in another man's ship, and find trouble at home
• He will return with great wealth but lose his memory

What epic simile does Homer use to describe the blinding of Polyphemus?

• A farmer plowing a field
• A blacksmith tempering iron in cold water
• A hunter trapping a wild boar
• A sailor navigating through a storm

Odysseus kills Polyphemus inside the cave.

Odysseus's men beg him to stop taunting the Cyclops after the first rock throw.

In the text, "The cruel wretch vouchsafed me not one word of answer." What does "vouchsafed" mean?

• Shouted
• Granted or gave graciously
• Whispered secretly
• Demanded forcefully

What does "tillage" mean in the passage about the Cyclopes: "live on such wheat, barley, and grapes as grow wild without any kind of tillage"?

• Irrigation of crops
• Preparation and cultivation of soil for growing crops
• Harvesting grain at the end of a season
• Building storage structures for food

What are "hawsers" in the context of "bidding my men to do so also and loose the hawsers"?

• Anchors made of stone
• Thick ropes or cables used to moor a ship
• Wooden oars for rowing
• Canvas sails for catching wind