I think questions like that are meant to check that you actually read the book, and with a certain amount of detail. High school students are notorious for skip

I think questions like that are meant to check that you actually read the book, and with a certain amount of detail. High school students are notorious for skipping or skimming readings and/or relying on resources like Sparknotes, especially with more difficult texts like the Iliad. (I may or may not be speaking from personal experience...)