Allusions

The character Pollyanna, from Eleanor Porter's children's book, is a young girl who finds good in everything and everyone.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

"Tess is such a Pollyanna!" Liam announced with a sigh.

• An extremely annoyed person

• A childish, selfish person

• An overly optimistic person

• None of the above

In a well-known folktale, Chicken Little is accidentally hit by something and jumps to the conclusion that the sky is falling and that she must spread the news of imminent disaster.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

The weather forecast called for clear skies, making my grandfather look like Chicken Little.

• A person who greets trouble with a cheery disposition

• A person who spreads alarming misinformation of imminent disaster

• A person who does not believe he or she can get in trouble

• All of the above

In Greek mythology, Achilles's mother dips him in a river that protects his body wherever it touches. His heel does not get wet, so it is the one part of his body left unprotected. During the Trojan War, an arrow hits Achilles in the heel and kills him.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Red velvet cupcakes were Stacy's Achilles's heel when she was trying to eat more healthily.

• A source of strength

• A sole weakness

• A feeling of false strength

• All of the above

In Greek mythology, ambrosia is the name for the food of the gods.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Louanne's Ice Cream Parlor has the best dessert short of ambrosia!

• A heavenly delicacy

• Something unusual or exciting

• Something hideous or grotesque

• All of the above

George Orwell's novel 1984 focuses on a totalitarian society in which the citizens are frequently reminded that their leader, Big Brother, is always watching.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

The headline read: "Smart Phones Becoming Big Brother."

• Smart phones are a nuisance that distract people from important tasks.

• Smart phones are an important system that helps people stay safe.

• Smart phones are a threatening power that monitors all aspects of people's lives.

• Smart phones are helpful to people who do not have siblings.

In the Bible, Jesus counsels his followers to resist retaliation. He says that if they are struck on the right cheek, they shouldn't lash out; instead, they should turn the other cheek toward their attacker.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Much to our shock, Warren chose to turn the other cheek when Ruth insulted him in a meeting.

• to respond harshly

• to respond without aggression

• to not respond at all

• all of the above

In the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," a shepherd boy repeatedly tricks people in his village by falsely claiming that a wolf is coming to eat his flock. When a wolf actually comes and the boy cries for help, nobody believes him or comes to his aid.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Lucy warned her youngest son not to cry wolf while wrestling with his older brother.

• to raise a false alarm

• to make howling sounds

• to physically become a wolf

• none of the above

In the Bible, Daniel accurately translates mysterious writing that appears on a wall, and in doing so, he predicts the death of a king.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Investors should have seen the writing on the wall.

• an inaccurate prediction

• a sign with important technical information

• a clear indication of how something will turn out

• none of these answers are correct

In 1815, French emperor Napoleon suffered a devastating defeat in the Battle of Waterloo, which would prove to be his final battle before he abdicated the throne.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Last night's playoff in the semifinals proved to be the team's Waterloo.

• A final defeat

• A surprise win

• A final win

• All of the above

In Greek mythology, a mythical bird called the phoenix lives for hundreds of years before bursting into flames at its death. However, it soon rises from its own ashes and is reborn.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Fans debated whether their team would rise from the ashes.

• To come back after destruction or defeat

• To surprise an opponent

• To think optimistically

• To overcome the gym burning to ashes