Question 1

Urban legends are important to students of mythology because they ___________________________.
A) are easy to debunk as false
B) emphasize themes and issues that concern human beings at their core
C) demonstrate the keen imagination of the general population
D) represent a modern version of stories about gods and heroes

Accepted Answer

Urban legends often highlight universal themes and issues that resonate with human experiences, making them relevant to the study of mythology.

Question 2

An ancient story that emphasizes the ongoing conflict of nature and culture in civilization is ___________________.
A) Oedipus
B) the Trojan War
C) the Iliad
D) the Epic of Gilgamesh

Accepted Answer

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamian poem that explores themes of humanity, friendship, the natural world, and the quest for immortality, highlighting the conflict between nature and culture.

Question 3

Upon completion of his labors, Hercules _________________________.
A) receives an apology and praise from Eurystheus
B) becomes immortal
C) dies
D) seeks to avenge his maltreatment by Eurystheus

Accepted Answer

Upon completing his labors, Hercules is granted immortality by the gods, which is a significant aspect of his mythological narrative.

Question 4

The story of Odysseus' encounter with Aeolus, the god of wind, represents the ______________________________.
A) aetiological insights of myth
B) cosmological insights of myth
C) metaphysical insights of myth
D) anthropological insights of myth

Accepted Answer

The encounter with Aeolus, who controls the winds, reflects the cosmological aspect of myth, explaining natural phenomena like wind and storms through divine intervention.

Question 5

Mythical figures who were NOT historical characters include ___________.
A) Gilgamesh
B) Cyrus
C) Ulysses
D) Daniel Boone

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mythical figures who were NOT historical characters...

Question 6

Aphrodite offered Paris __________________ if he would declare her the winner of the beauty contest.
A) all of the riches in Troy
B) political power over Europe and Asia
C) status as the bravest and wisest warrior in the world
D) the most beautiful woman in the world

Accepted Answer

Aphrodite promised Paris the love of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, if he chose her as the fairest in the contest against Hera and Athena. This led to the events of the Trojan War.

Question 7

Achilles was persuaded by ___________________ to join the expedition to get Helen back.
A) Thetis
B) Hephaistos
C) Menelaus
D) Odysseus

Accepted Answer

Achilles was persuaded by Odysseus to join the expedition to retrieve Helen from Troy. This is part of the larger narrative of the Trojan War, where Odysseus plays a key role in convincing Achilles to participate.

Question 8

It took Odysseus 10 years to journey back home to Ithaca because _______________.
A) Poseidon, god of the sea, interfered
B) he stopped on the way to fight other wars
C) his men mutinied
D) he'd been wounded and could not travel any faster

Accepted Answer

Poseidon, god of the sea, was angry with Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and caused many delays and obstacles on Odysseus's journey home.

Question 9

While Odysseus was gone, Penelope was assisted by _______________ in fighting off suitors.
A) Telemachus
B) Eumaeus
C) Achilles
D) Priam

Accepted Answer

Telemachus was the son of Odysseus and Penelope, and he helped his mother fight off the suitors while Odysseus was away.

Question 10

Paris was asked to determine who was the most beautiful woman in the world: ______________, ___________________, or ____________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Paris was asked to determine who was...

Question 11

An example of a metaphysical insight found in the story of Heracles is ____________________________________________________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An example of a metaphysical insight found...

Question 12

Urban legends are related to myth insofar as they reflect ____________________________________________________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Urban legends are related to myth insofar...

Question 13

Heracles is the son of _____________________ and _______________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Heracles is the son of _____________________ and...

Question 14

The Native American story of Raven's stealing fresh water from Petrel and creating from it the great rivers of the world is an example of a(n) ________________________ insight into myth.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Native American story of Raven's stealing...

Question 15

The noblest Greek warrior at Troy was ____________________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The noblest Greek warrior at Troy was...

Question 16

The impetus for the Trojan War was the kidnapping of Helen by ________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The impetus for the Trojan War was...

Question 17

The Greek word for "nostalgia" is related to the English word __________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Greek word for "nostalgia" is related...

Question 18

Mircea Eliade's views show that archaic societies used ________________________ to master their universe, while we use science.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mircea Eliade's views show that archaic societies...

Question 19

There is strong ______________________ evidence that the Trojan War was not merely a story.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There is strong ______________________ evidence that the...

Quiz 1: What Is Myth

Urban legends are important to students of mythology because they ___________________________.

An ancient story that emphasizes the ongoing conflict of nature and culture in civilization is ___________________.

Upon completion of his labors, Hercules _________________________.

The story of Odysseus' encounter with Aeolus, the god of wind, represents the ______________________________.

Mythical figures who were NOT historical characters include ___________.

Aphrodite offered Paris __________________ if he would declare her the winner of the beauty contest.

Achilles was persuaded by ___________________ to join the expedition to get Helen back.

It took Odysseus 10 years to journey back home to Ithaca because _______________.

While Odysseus was gone, Penelope was assisted by _______________ in fighting off suitors.

Paris was asked to determine who was the most beautiful woman in the world: ____, _, or ____________.