Question

with crack on crack of thunder, zeus let fly
a bolt against the ship, a direct hit,
so that she buckled, in reeking fumes of sulphur,
and all the men were flung into the sea.
they came up round the wreck, bobbing a while
like petrels on the waves.

no more seafaring
homeward for these, no sweet day of return;
the god had turned his face from them.

-the odyssey,
homer

read the passage. then, identify the theme that is
supported by the passage.

○ most ships cannot survive a terrible thunderstorm.
○ the ocean is an angry beast that will tame any who
try to control it.
○ the gods have the power to control human destiny.
○ men are willing to die to eat the delicious cattle of
the gods.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The passage focuses on Zeus' action and the god's disfavor, not general ship survival in thunderstorms. Eliminate.
2. Analyze Option 2: The passage's key is the god's power, not the ocean as a beast. Eliminate.
3. Analyze Option 3: Zeus (a god) strikes the ship, and the god turns his face from them, ending their seafaring. This shows gods control human destiny. Correct.
4. Analyze Option 4: The passage has no mention of men dying to eat gods' cattle. Eliminate.

Answer:

C. The gods have the power to control human destiny.