1.
What was Hercules' first labor?
Correct Answer
A. Slay the Nemean Lion
Explanation
Hercules' first labor, assigned by King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean Lion, a fearsome beast terrorizing the region of Nemea. The lion's hide was impervious to weapons, making it an especially daunting task. After failing to kill the lion with arrows, Hercules trapped it in its cave, wrestled it to the ground, and strangled it with his immense strength. He then used the lion's own claws to skin it, crafting a cloak from the impenetrable hide that would protect him in future labors.
2.
What happened during Hercules' first labor?
Correct Answer
C. He strangled the lion with his bare hands.
Explanation
Hercules initially tried to kill the Nemean Lion with arrows, but they were ineffective due to the lion's invulnerable hide. Realizing his weapons were useless, Hercules pursued the lion into its cave. Blocking one entrance, he confronted the lion head-on, wrestled it, and used his prodigious strength to strangle it to death. This method highlighted his brute force and resourcefulness, key traits that would aid him in subsequent labors.
3.
The second labor was to kill the Hydra, which had nine heads and one was immortal. What happened in this trial?
Correct Answer
A. Hercules burned the Hydra’s heads to prevent them from regrowing.
Explanation
In the second labor, Hercules was tasked with killing the Lernaean Hydra, a serpent-like creature with multiple heads, one of which was immortal. As he cut off each of the Hydra's heads, he used a burning torch to cauterize the neck stumps to prevent them from regrowing. After removing and burning the mortal heads, he buried the immortal head under a large rock to ensure it could not return to life.
4.
Hercules' third labor was to bring back a live stag with golden horns. What happened?
Correct Answer
B. He chased the stag for a year before capturing it.
Explanation
The Ceryneian Hind was a sacred animal to the goddess Artemis, known for its incredible speed and golden antlers. Hercules was tasked with capturing it alive, which required cunning and persistence. He chased the stag across Greece for an entire year, demonstrating his endurance and determination. Eventually, he managed to catch the hind while it was exhausted. To avoid offending Artemis, Hercules explained his task and promised to return the stag after showing it to Eurystheus, which Artemis allowed.
5.
The fourth labor was to capture a live boar from Mt. Erymanthus. What happened?
Correct Answer
C. He chased the boar into deep snow and captured it.
Explanation
In the fourth labor, Hercules was tasked with capturing the Erymanthian Boar alive. He successfully completed this labor by chasing the boar up Mount Erymanthus and driving it into deep snow, which slowed it down and allowed him to capture it alive. He then carried the boar back to King Eurystheus.
6.
What happened in the fifth labor, when Hercules had to clean the Augean Stables in one day?
Correct Answer
B. He diverted two rivers to wash out the stables.
Explanation
In the fifth labor, Hercules was tasked with cleaning the Augean Stables, which housed thousands of cattle and had not been cleaned in years. To accomplish this seemingly impossible task in one day, Hercules diverted the courses of the Alpheus and Peneus rivers to flow through the stables, effectively washing out all the filth and completing the labor successfully.
7.
The sixth labor was to destroy the Stymphalian birds. These birds had steel wings and metal bodies. What happened to Hercules in this trial?
Correct Answer
C. He scared them away with a loud noise.
Explanation
In the sixth labor, Hercules was tasked with destroying the Stymphalian birds. He used a rattle given to him by the goddess Athena to create a loud noise that scared the birds into the air, allowing him to shoot them down with his arrows. However, the key action that allowed him to complete the task was scaring them away with the loud noise.
8.
In the seventh labor, Hercules had to capture the Cretan Bull from King Minos. How did this happen?
Correct Answer
C. He poisoned the bull and carried it back.
Explanation
For his seventh labor, Hercules was tasked with capturing the Cretan Bull, a magnificent beast that was terrorizing the island of Crete. The bull had been sent by Poseidon and was sacred. Upon reaching Crete, Hercules encountered the bull and used his great strength to wrestle it to the ground. Despite its fury and strength, Hercules managed to subdue the bull without harming it, demonstrating his prowess and control. He then brought the bull back to King Eurystheus in Mycenae.
9.
The eighth labor was capturing the mares of King Diomedes. What happened?
Correct Answer
B. He killed King Diomedes and brought the mares back.
Explanation
For the eighth labor, Hercules was assigned to capture the man-eating mares of King Diomedes of Thrace. Upon arrival, Hercules discovered the vicious nature of these horses, which had been trained to feed on human flesh. To subdue them, Hercules overpowered and killed King Diomedes, feeding him to his own mares. This act sated their hunger and pacified them temporarily, allowing Hercules to safely lead them back to Eurystheus. This labor highlighted Hercules' ability to turn the strength of his enemies against them.
10.
The ninth labor was to retrieve the girdle of Queen Hippolyta. What happened?
Correct Answer
C. He fought Hippolyta and took the girdle.
Explanation
In his ninth labor, Hercules was sent to retrieve the girdle of Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. Initially, Hippolyta was impressed by Hercules' reputation and willingly offered him the girdle. However, Hera, ever the antagonist, stirred up trouble by disguising herself as an Amazon and spreading rumors that Hercules intended to abduct Hippolyta. This caused a battle to erupt. In the ensuing chaos, Hercules fought valiantly and managed to secure the girdle, bringing it back to Eurystheus as proof of his success.
11.
The tenth labor for Hercules was to release the oxen of Geryon. What happened during this trial?
Correct Answer
A. He killed Geryon and drove the oxen back.
Explanation
The tenth labor required Hercules to journey to the end of the world to capture the cattle of the giant Geryon, who had three bodies. After a long and arduous journey, Hercules faced Geryon and his herdsman, Eurytion. In a fierce battle, Hercules used his deadly arrows and club to defeat Geryon and his guard dog, Orthrus. After killing Geryon, Hercules herded the oxen across vast distances, overcoming numerous obstacles, and finally delivered them to Eurystheus.
12.
In the second-to-last labor, Hercules had to get the golden apples of the Hesperides. What occurred in this trial?
Correct Answer
B. He convinced Atlas to retrieve the apples for him.
Explanation
For the eleventh labor, Hercules had to obtain the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides, which were guarded by a hundred-headed dragon named Ladon. Hercules sought the help of the Titan Atlas, who held up the sky. Hercules offered to take Atlas' burden temporarily if Atlas would retrieve the apples. Atlas agreed, but upon returning, tried to leave Hercules holding the sky. Hercules tricked Atlas into taking the sky back by asking him to hold it temporarily while he adjusted his position, then took the apples and left.
13.
The last labor was the most dangerous one; Hercules had to bring Cerberus alive back to Eurystheus. What happened?
Correct Answer
D. He tamed Cerberus and led him back.
Explanation
The twelfth and final labor was the most perilous: Hercules had to capture Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the Underworld, and bring him back alive. With the help of Hermes and Athena, Hercules descended into the Underworld and sought permission from Hades. Hades agreed, provided Hercules could subdue Cerberus without using weapons. Hercules overpowered Cerberus with his immense strength, chained the beast, and brought it back to Eurystheus. This labor demonstrated Hercules' bravery and strength, as he ventured into the realm of the dead and returned victorious.