Question

there was a certain maiden of lydia, arachne by name, renowned throughout the country for her skill as a weaver. she was so nimble with her fingers as calypso, that nymph who kept odysseus for seven years in her enchanted island. she was as untiring as aemone, the hero’s wife, who wove day after day while she watched for his return. day in and day out, arachne wove too. the nymphs would gather about her loom, spirits from the water and trees. “maiden,” they would say, shaking the leaves or the foam from their hair in wonder, “athena must have taught you to spin such thread!” but this did not please arachne. she would not acknowledge herself as a debtor, even to that goddess who protected all household arts, and by whose grace alone one had any skill in them. “i learned not of athena,” she said. “if she can weave better, let her come and try.” the nymphs shivered at this, and an aged woman, who was looking on, turned to arachne. “be more prudent with your words, my daughter,” the elder woman said. “the goddess may pardon you if you ask for forgiveness, but do not strive for honors with the immortals.” arachne broke her thread, and the shuttle stopped. “keep your counsel,” she said. “i fear not athena; no, nor anyone else.” as she frowned at the old woman, she was amazed to see the old woman change suddenly into a tall, majestic, beautiful maiden with gray eyes and golden hair, crowned with a golden helmet. it was athena herself. question 3 how does arachne present the old woman in lines? a. arachne claims that athena taught her how to weave. b. arachne declares that athena is too old to face her. c. arachne challenges athena to prove she is a better weaver. d. arachne implies that athena lied about being able to weave.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the text. The old woman (Athena in disguise) says "I learned not of Athena... If she can weave better, let her come and try" and Arachne's attitude. Option C says Arachne challenges Athena to prove she's a better weaver. From the text, Arachne's confidence (e.g., "I fear not Athena, no, nor anyone else") and the context of the weaving challenge support this. Option A: No claim Athena taught her. Option B: No denial of Athena's skill. Option D: No implication Athena lied about being able to weave. So C is correct.

Answer:

C. Arachne challenges Athena to prove she is a better weaver.