In Appearance, The Greek Gods Were Supposed To Resemble Mortals GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

In appearance, the Greek gods were supposed to resemble mortals, whom, however, they far surpassed in beauty, grandeur, and strength. They were also more commanding in stature, height being considered by the Greeks an attribute of beauty in man or woman. They resembled human beings in their feelings and habits, intermarrying and having children, and requiring daily nourishment to replenish their strength, and refreshing sleep to restore their energies. Their blood, a bright ethereal fluid called Ichor, never engendered disease, and, when shed, had the power of producing new life.

The Greeks believed that the mental qualifications of their gods were of a much higher order than those of men, but nevertheless, they were not considered exempt from human passions, and we frequently behold them actuated by revenge, deceit, and jealousy. They, however, always punish the evil-doer and visit with dire calamities any impious mortal who dares to neglect their worship or despise their rites.

Still, they were not invulnerable, and we often hear of them being wounded, and suffering in consequence such exquisite torture that they have earnestly prayed to be deprived of their privilege of immortality. The gods knew no limitation of time or space, being able to transport themselves to incredible distances with the speed of thought. They possessed the power of rendering themselves invisible at will, and could assume the forms of men or animals as it suited their convenience. They could also transform human beings into trees, stones, or animals either as a punishment for their misdeeds, or as a means of protecting the individual, thus transformed, from impending danger.

“In appearance, the Greek gods were supposed to resemble mortals”- is a GMAT reading comprehension exercise. Candidates need to be highly proficient in GMAT reading comprehension. There are four comprehension questions in this GMAT reading comprehension section. The purpose of the GMAT Reading Comprehension questions is to evaluate candidates' comprehension, analysis, and application skills. Candidates who are actively preparing can benefit from GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solutions and Explanation

1. From the information in the passage, which of the following could not be the result of the torture inflicted on Gods?

(A) The death of the Gods
(B) The Gods turning the torturer into an animal
(C) The Gods wishing that they were mortals
(D) The Gods transporting themselves to some other place away from the torturer
(E) The Gods miraculously healing their wounds

2. From the passage, each of the following can be inferred about the Greek Gods EXCEPT:

(A) The Gods dwelled on Mount Olympus
(B) The Gods could transform their forms
(C) The Gods were offered human sacrifices
(D) The Gods could punish humans
(E) The Gods came together to celebrate festivals

3. What is the main purpose of the author in writing the passage?

(A) To explain the lives of humans and Greek Gods
(B) To describe the lives and trials of Greek Gods
(C) To underline the differences between humans and Greek Gods
(D) To praise the Greek Gods for being able to live among humans
(E) To discuss the history of Greek Gods

4. The author uses the phrase ‘were supposed to’ in the opening line of paragraph 1 in order to

(A) point out the differences between mortals and Greek Gods
(B) forewarn the reader that even with huge similarities, the Greek Gods would probably still be different from mortals
(C) highlight the relationship between mortals and Greek Gods
(D) criticize the belief that Greek Gods deceived mortals by appearing to be similar to them
(E) accept the fact that Greek Gods failed to resemble the mortals by virtue of the powers they possessed

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