Word Meanings and Nuances 7

A literary allusion is a reference to a _____.

• painting

• play

• piece of music

• piece of writing

A mythological allusion is a reference to a _____.

• modern song that uses old instruments

• modern story in pop culture

• traditional song about a historical event

• traditional story that is central to a culture

A reference to the life of Jesus Christ is an example of . . .

• a literary allusion

• a pop culture allusion

• a biblical allusion

• a mythological allusion

What is the MOST important reason to understand allusion in a text?

• To better understand the author’s life.

• To help the reader better reflect upon his/her own opinion of the text.

• To interpret another layer of meaning in the text.

• To improve your reading speed.

What is the difference between a literary and mythological allusion?

• A literary allusion refers to a specific text, but a mythological allusion can be a reference to something in the oral tradition.

• A mythological allusion contains imagery; literary allusions do not.

• A literary allusion occurs in a text, but a mythological allusion occurs only in nonfiction.

• A mythological allusion occurs in a text, but a literary allusion occurs only in nonfiction.

A literary allusion is . . .

• a reference to something that originally appeared in a nonfiction text.

• a reference to any other work of literature.

• a reference to an event in history.

• a reference to something in pop culture.

A mythological allusion is . . .

• a reference in literature to a character or event in any mythology.

• a reference in literature only to Greek mythology.

• a reference in literature only to Roman mythology.

• the myth-like quality of any well-written piece of literature.

An allusion is . . .

• the repetition of the same beginning sound.

• something that is wrongly perceived by your senses.

• a reference to a work of literature, history, mythology, religion, or culture. 

• the final act of a drama.

Authors use allusions to . . .

• appeal to the reader’s 5 senses.

• blur the lines between imagination and reality.

• make reference to characters and ideas in the Bible, mythythology, and other literature.

• ask questions that aren’t meant to be directly answered.

Read the sentences below.

It pays to plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

Based on the biblical allusion to Noah's ark, select the BEST interpretation of this passage.

• Planning ahead will lead to great wealth.

• Most people believe that planning ahead is foolish.

• It’s easier to do something now than to wait until tomorrow.

• Not planning ahead could lead to getting caught in a very difficult situation.