This is Ithaca, a small island. This is the house of Odysseus. But Odysseus isn’t here.
The Odyssey · A1
Book One: Athena Visits Ithaca
Isn’t, my, who, why, doesn’t, him, that, and the plural men: first words of English, for a house full of suitors and a stranger at the door.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
Where is he?
The story
After Homer’s Odyssey
Odysseus isn’t at home. He is far away. His son, Telemachus, lives in the house with his mother, Penelope. Telemachus doesn’t know his father.
There are a hundred young men in the hall. They are the suitors. They eat and drink every day. Telemachus doesn’t like them.
A stranger comes to the door. “Please, sit down,” says Telemachus. The stranger is really the goddess Athena. “Your father is alive,” she says. Then she flies away like a bird.
Isn’t, doesn’t
DEMETRIA
Odysseus isn’t at home. Telemachus doesn’t like the suitors.
SOPHIA
isn’t = is not. doesn’t + verb for he / she / it: he doesn’t know.
My, him; men
MARCOS
Odysseus is my father! Penelope loves him. There are a hundred men.
SOPHIA
my, his, her before a noun. him, her, them after a verb. One man, two men.
Who, why; sit down; that
PHILO
Who is at the door? Why is Penelope sad? “Please, sit down.” Look at that bird!
SOPHIA
who for people, why for reasons. Orders: the base verb. this near, that far.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| isn’t / doesn’t | negatives | He isn’t here. He doesn’t know. |
| my / him; men | possessive / object; plural | my father; she loves him |
| who / why | questions | Who is it? Why is she sad? |
| Sit down; this / that | orders; near / far | Sit down. Look at that bird! |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. Odysseus ___ at home.
2. There are a hundred young ___.
3. “Please, ___ down.”
4. ___ is at the door? — Athena!
5. Telemachus ___ like the suitors.
6. Look at ___ bird over there!
B · Write
Write the missing word or words.
7. Odysseus is father. (Telemachus speaks)
8. Penelope loves . (Odysseus)
9. is Penelope sad? — Because Odysseus isn’t here.
10. The suitors the food every day. (eat)
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “Telemachus don’t know his father.”
12. “Athena is a goddess.”
13. “She loves he.”
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