Allusions

What is the meaning of the historical allusion?

My brother is a regular Einstein! He always seems to know the answer!

• His brother is unintelligent.

• His brother works hard.

• His brother is intelligent.

• His brother is lazy.

What is the meaning of the literary allusion?

My friend was being a total Scrooge when I asked her to share her M&Ms.

• Not wanting to share.

• Excited about sharing.

• Throwing them all away.

• Counting the M&Ms.

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 mythological 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, 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 mythological 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
• None of the above

In Greek mythology, ambrosia is the name for the food of the gods.
What is the meaning of the mythological 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 literary allusion in the sentence below?
The headline read: "Smart Phones Becoming Big Brother." 

• A nuisance that distracts people from important tasks
  
• An important system that helps people stay safe
• A threatening power that monitors all aspects of people's lives 
• 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 literary 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 biblical 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 Greek mythology, King Midas is granted his wish that everything he touches turn to gold.

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

When it comes to starting new businesses, Elon Musk seems to have a Midas touch.

• fortunate

• unusual

• unfortunate

• usual

In the story A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, a penny-pinching and bitter Ebenezer Scrooge values money more than people.

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

Our neighbor has a reputation for being a Scrooge, so we don't even stop at his door any more when we're fundraising.

• generous

• kind

• stingy

• jealous