Daphne escaped Apollo by transforming into what?

• A. A palm tree
• B. A river
• C. A laurel tree
• D. A statue

Answer: (C)

In this myth, the key idea is how a character escapes pursuit through transformation. Daphne, a pursued nymph, pleads for help and is transformed into a laurel tree by her father to escape Apollo. This chosen form not only ends the chase but also explains the origin of the laurel’s sacred connection to Apollo and to victory, since victors are crowned with laurel. The other options don’t fit the story: she doesn’t become a palm tree, a river, or a statue in the myth. The transformation into a living laurel tree is the specific act that resolves the chase and ties into Apollo’s association with that plant.