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Allusion Practice

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the common allusion for Goofy?

a)

to be a coward

b)

to be silly

c)

to be sinful

d)

all of the above

2.

How is the allusion Adman and Eve commonly used?

a)

committing a sin

b)

being lazy

c)

being in love

d)

all of the above

3.

What type of allusion is this?

a)

Mythological

b)

Biblical

c)

Literary

d)

Historical

4.
The real estate agent said his new farm listing was like the Garden of Eden. 
a)
literature/mytology
b)
religious
c)
historical
5.
Jana warned her friend Mary against dating Luke because he thinks he is Romeo.
a)
literature/mythology
b)
religious
c)
historical
6.
Joe is such an Honest Abe, he never can keep our secrets.
a)
literature/mythology
b)
religious
c)
historical
7.
Last spring I thought it might rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
a)
literary/mythology
b)
religious
c)
historical
8.

In one of Aesop's fables, four animals go hunting thinking that they will split their prize equally, but the lion, the most powerful animal, takes more than the other members of the group.


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


My older brother takes the lion's share of the space in our bedroom.

a)

an equal amount

b)

a tiny bit

c)

an even split

d)

the largest amount

9.

The comic book superhero Spider-Man possesses a Spidey sense that warns him of trouble that's coming his way.


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


Luther picked up his pace on the trail as his Spidey sense began to tingle.

a)

sense of smell

b)

sense of danger

c)

sense of wonder

d)

sense of pride

10.

Read the source of the allusion.


In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of love. He often shoots arrows at people to make them love each other.


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


I know I'm playing Cupid, but I think Bob and my cousin should spend more time together.

a)

trying to make people fall in love

b)

sharing or expressing an unpopular point of view

c)

saying kind and pleasant things about people

11.

What is a Herculean task?

a)

Something you must do

b)

Something very difficult to do

c)

Something you don't feel like doing

12.

A Trojan Horse is...

a)

A practical joke

b)

An attack, disguised as a gift

c)

A terrible illness

13.

look of Medusa

a)

a. great courage

b)

b. a look that causes someone to freeze like a stone statue

c)

c. stressful situation

14.

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 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.

a)

generous

b)

kind

c)

stingy

d)

jealous

15.

George Orwell's dystopian 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."

a)

a benevolent government that takes care of its people

b)

a democratic society with laws protecting privacy

c)

a ruler that allows freedom of speech

d)

a threatening power that monitors all aspects of people's lives

16.

Which President was Martin Luther King Jr. alluding to in his speech, "I Have a Dream", with the following lines: "Five score years ago a great American in whose symb­olic shadow we stand today signed the Emancipation Proclamation."?

a)

George Bush

b)

Barack Obama

c)

Abraham Lincoln

d)

George Washington

17.

In Greek mythology, King Midas is granted his wish that everything he touches turn to gold.


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


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

a)

fortunate

b)

unusual

c)

unfortunate

d)

usual

18.

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)

a person who spreads alarming news of imminent danger

b)

a person who greets trouble with optimism

c)

a person who is slow to adapt

d)

a person who spreads rumors about others

19.

In a biblical parable, a Samaritan selflessly stops to help an enemy who has been beaten and stranded on the side of a road.


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


A Good Samaritan jumped in when my grocery bag broke and the contents spilled all over the sidewalk.

a)

a person who enjoys interacting with others

b)

a person who plays tricks on others

c)

a person who takes advantage of others

d)

a person who goes out of the way to help another

20.

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.

a)

surprise an opponent

b)

be consistently successful

c)

never win

d)

come back from defeat