Atlanta and Melanion - A story and excersises - for students

 

(The total lesson has been quoted from a past textbook.)

       Greece is the birthplace of Western sports. There were famous runners Pheidippides and Atlanta in Greece.

       Atlanta was a princess. She was young and beautiful. She could run very fast. Many young men tried to win her.

       But Atlanta was proud. She was perhaps unkind. She said she would marry a man who could run faster than she. But if anyone failed, he could not try again. Many young men failed.

       Then came Melanion. He was young as well as handsome. He loved Atlanta. He wanted to marry her. He prayed to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty.  

                                                     Aphrodite - Goddess of beauty

            "Help me, oh, Aphrodite, goddess of beauty. Help me to win Atlanta, please," he begged. 

             Aphrodite took pity on Melanion. "I will help you," she said. "Take these three apples. They are from the garden of gods. When Atlanta comes up to you in the race, drop an apple. But use them carefully."

           So the great day came. Atlanta and Melanion stood on the track. They were both very beautiful. They were a lovely couple. 

           Atlanta smiled. She was sure she would win. She allowed Melanion to run ahead. She wanted to get a good lead. Melanion ran as fast as he could. But Atlanta caught up easily. He dropped an apple. Atlanta bent and picked it up. Melanion ran faster. Soon Atlanta caught up. Melanion dropped the second apple. She went and picked it up. She lost time. Melanion ran faster. He was tired. The winning post seemed to be far away. He ran faster and faster. Again he heard Atlanta's footsteps. He rolled the last and the third apple. Atlanta was sure of her speed. She bent down and picked it up.

            Melanion just reached the winning post. He had won by a fraction of a second. Atlanta was late. Melanion had won. Atlanta kept her promise. She married Melanion.

      

Language Focus

birthplace

the fastest

who could run fast

young, as well as handsome

prayed to the goddess of beauty

look pity

giveup running

caught up

picked it up

fraction of a second

kept her promise

 a)  Read the story and find answers for the following.

1. Who are the two runners mentioned?

2. Find 04 words that describe Atlanta.

3. Why did many young men want to marry Atlanta?

4. What happened to the young men who did not win the race?

5. Why did Melanion want to run the race?

6. How did Melanion get ready for the race?

7. What did Aphrodite give Melanion?

8. Did Atlanta think she will win? Why?

 b) Write antonyms for the following words.

1. win -

2. young -   

3. beautiful - 

4. fast -

5. unkind -

6. lovely -

7. last -

8. run -

9. down - 

10. famous -