Question

10
\to spring up the mountain side, kill the cruel bird, snap the adamantine chains, and set free the benefactor of all mankind, was the work of but a few minutes for such a hero as hercules. . . .\ (paragraph 4)
how do the words \was the work of but a few minutes for such a hero as hercules\ affect meaning in the passage?
a they explain why prometheus is grateful.
b they emphasize the importance of prometheus.
c they make herculess actions seem less interesting.
d they make herculess actions seem highly impressive.

(left text: 7
this thought oppressed him. freedom was so sweet, that he resolved to keep it, and, coolly stepping up to hercules, announced that he would carry the golden apples to eurystheus, and leave him to support the heavens in his stead. feigning a satisfaction which he was very far from feeling, hercules acquiesced, but detained atlas for a moment, asking him to hold the heavens until he could place a cushion on his shoulders. good - natured, as giants proverbially are, atlas threw the apples on the grass beside him, and assumed the incumbent weight; but hercules, instead of preparing to resume it, picked up the apples, leaving atlas alone, in the same plight as he had found him, there to remain until some more compassionate hero should come and set him free.
excerpt from myths of greece and rome by h. a. guerber. in the public domain.)

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The phrase is about Hercules' actions, not Prometheus' gratitude reason. Eliminate.
• Option B: The phrase focuses on Hercules' actions, not Prometheus' importance. Eliminate.
• Option C: Saying it took "a few minutes" for a hero like Hercules doesn't make actions less interesting; it highlights his capability. Eliminate.
• Option D: The phrase emphasizes that tasks (killing the bird, snapping chains, freeing Prometheus) that might be hard for others were easy for Hercules, making his actions impressive.

Answer:

D. They make Hercules's actions seem highly impressive.