Reading Passage with New Words:
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»> New Words
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Gargantuan: huge: enormous
Misanthropic: cynical: malevolent: unfriendly
Philanthropic: humanitarian: benevolent: humane: kind-hearted
Vivacious: vibrant: lively
Panoramic: wide: comprehensive
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Degenerate: debauched: corrupt: immoral
Pandemonium: chaos
Renowned: celebrated: famous: prominent
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Maverick: individualist: rebel: non-conformist
Vital: essential: fundamental
Spartan: severe: strict
Nominal: insignificant: trifle: trivial
Viable: feasible: possible
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»» The Reading Passage:
The Greek Myth of Winter
Myths are part of the cultural heritage the ancient Greeks and Romans gave to us. This one is about how winter began. In modern times, science has explained the causes of violent weather and changes of season, but such events puzzled ancient people. Perhaps to gain a sense of control, they created tales about the world around them. Note, too the “mother in law” in this story.
Ancient Greeks and Romans told stories of gods who ate, loved, and hated just as we do, but on a larger scale. Because these gods had gargantuan powers, their smallest wish could mean disaster or good fortune for the entire world. A misanthropic god might send deadly storms; a philanthropic one might share the secrets of fire.
One ancient Greek tale of human-like gods deals with the genesis of winter. According to the ancient Greeks, the world was once a warm, green paradise where the goddess Demeter provided summer throughout the year. But one day, Persephone, Demeter’s beautiful and vivacious daughter, wandered away from her friends to explore a field of flowers. Unfortunately, Hades, the god of the underworld, was visiting the Earth and enjoying a panoramic view of the very same place. With one look at Persephone, Hades instantly fell in love. A rather degenerate
character, Hades simply carried her off to the underworld and made her his bride.
Pandemonium broke out when word of Hades’s crime reached the other gods. Demeter frantically tried to get her daughter back, begging Zeus, king of the gods, to order her return. But although Zeus was renowned for his power, Hades, a maverick among the gods, refused to return Persephone.
In her desperation, Demeter forgot to provide the world with the warmth and sunshine vital to growing crops, and the Earth plunged into winter. Plants died and humans faced starvation. Demeter’s grief was causing the death of the human race! Zeus appealed to Hades, who finally agreed to let Persephone return home, as long as she had not eaten anything. What had Persephone been doing while Demeter was trying to release her? Sitting unhappily in the underworld,
she had led a spartan existence, refusing all the luxuries that Hades offered. She had eaten no food—except for four pomegranate seeds. Alas! Persephone had eaten only a nominal amount, but she had eaten something. Hades did not have to let her go.
Fortunately, Zeus and Demeter quickly thought of a viable compromise. For eight months of the year, Persephone would live with her mother, and for four months she would live with Hades. Just as Persephone’s life was divided, Demeter decreed that for eight months the Earth would have warm weather, and for four months it would have winter.
And that is how, according to the ancient Greeks, winter began.
Source: The World of Words
Vocabulary for College Success
Margaret Ann Richek