Question

in one corner of the web, she wove her conquest over the sea god poseidon. for the first king of athens had promised to dedicate the city to that god who should bestow upon it the most useful gift. poseidon gave the horse. but athena gave the olive - symbol of peace and prosperity - and the city was called after her name.
another corner pictured the vain woman of troy, who had been turned into a crane for disputing with a goddess. other corners of the web held similar images, and the whole shone like a rainbow.
meanwhile arachne, who was consumed with vanity, embroidered her web with stories against the gods, making light of zeus himself and of apollo, portraying them as birds and beasts. but she wove with marvellous skill. the creatures seemed to breathe and speak, yet all was as fine as gossamer 6 on grass before rain.
athena herself was amazed. not even her wrath at the girls insolence could wholly overcome her wonder. for an instant, she stood entranced - then she slashed the woven image across.
\live on, arachne, \ she said. \and since it is your glory to weave, you and your descendants must weave forever. \ so saying, she touched arachnes forehead three times with her spindle and sprinkled upon the maiden a magical potion.
away went arachnes beauty. her human form transformed into that of a spider, and so
question 9
what does the information in paragraph 16 reveal about arachnes perspective on the gods?
a. arachne knows little about the gods.
b. arachne does not respect the gods.
c. arachne does not believe in the gods.
d. arachne does not believe athena is a god.
< back
next >

Explanation:

The text describes Arachne disputing with a goddess (Athena), showing no respect for the gods as she weaves with great skill. This indicates she doesn't respect the gods. Options A (knows little about the gods) is not supported as she is disputing with a goddess (so she knows about them). Option C (does not believe in the gods) is incorrect as she is interacting with a goddess (Athena), implying she believes in gods. Option D (does not believe Athena is a god) is wrong because she is disputing with Athena (a goddess), so she must believe Athena is a god.

Answer:

B. Arachne does not respect the gods.