Which temple is given as an example of a building that uses all three orders?

• A. Temple of Apollo
• B. Parthenon
• C. Temple of Athena Nike
• D. Erechtheion

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how a single building can bring together all three classical orders—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—within its design. Seeing all three used in one temple shows a deliberate expansion of architectural vocabulary: the sturdy, plain lines of the Doric order for a strong exterior, the lighter, scroll-adorned Ionic details in other parts, and the ornate, elaborate Corinthian elements that come later in the sequence of styles. The temple in question is presented as the best example because it clearly demonstrates how these distinct orders can coexist within one monument, illustrating how Greek architects layered style to express different parts of the building—structural presence, interior refinement, and decorative richness. Other famous temples typically emphasize a single dominant order on the exterior and only hint at others in minor details, so they don’t showcase the full tri-order approach as clearly.