Telemachus arrives at the swineherd’s hut. The beggar is sitting by the fire.
The Odyssey · B2+
Book Sixteen: Father and Son
Can’t be, must have, broke down, whereas, keep, not even, get rid of, no way, plotting and by the time: B2+ grammar for the moment Odysseus tells his son who he is.
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SOPHIA
DEMETRIA
This is the moment.
The story
After Homer’s Odyssey
Athena changed the beggar back into Odysseus, tall and strong. Telemachus stared. “You can’t be my father. You must be a god!” “I am your father,” said Odysseus. Then they both broke down and wept.
Telemachus was young, whereas his father had twenty years of cunning. “Keep this secret,” said Odysseus. “Not even your mother must know. We will get rid of the suitors together.”
Meanwhile, in the palace, the suitors were plotting to kill Telemachus. By the time their ship came back, he was already safe. “There’s no way we can let him live,” said Antinous.
Can’t be; must have
MARCOS
You can’t be my father! You must be a god! He must have changed.
SOPHIA
must / can’t + be for deductions now; must / can’t have + pp for the past.
Broke down; get rid of; keep
PHILO
They broke down and wept. We will get rid of them. Keep this secret.
SOPHIA
break down = lose control of your feelings. get rid of = remove. keep + object + adjective.
Whereas; not even; no way; plotting; by the time
DEMETRIA
He was young, whereas his father… Not even your mother. No way. They were plotting. By the time they came back, he was safe.
SOPHIA
whereas for contrast. not even = emphatic. there’s no way = impossible. plot to + verb. by the time.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| can’t be / must be; must have + pp | deduction | You can’t be my father! |
| break down; get rid of; keep | phrasal verbs; keep + obj + adj | They broke down and wept. |
| whereas; not even | contrast; emphasis | Not even your mother. |
| no way; plot to; by the time | impossible; plan secretly; before | By the time they came, he was safe. |
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. “You ___ my father! You’re too young to be him!”
2. “You ___ a god!”
3. They both ___ and wept.
4. We will get ___ the suitors.
5. Not ___ your mother must know.
6. The suitors were ___ to kill him.
B · Write
Write the missing word or words.
7. He was young, his father was cunning.
8. this secret. (don’t tell)
9. There’s no we can let him live.
10. By the they returned, he was safe.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “You mustn’t be my father!”
12. “They broke down and wept.”
13. “We’ll get rid the suitors.”
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