Free Printable Allusions

1.

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)

A final defeat

b)

A surprise win

c)

A final win

d)

All of the above

2.

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.

a)

An extremely annoyed person

b)

A childish, selfish person

c)

An overly optimistic person

d)

None of the above

3.

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 greets trouble with a cheery disposition

b)

A person who spreads alarming news of imminent disaster

c)

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

d)

All of the above

4.

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)

A source of strength

b)

A sole weakness

c)

A feeling of false strength

d)

All of the above

5.

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)

To come back after destruction or defeat

b)

To surprise an opponent

c)

To think optimistically

d)

None of the above

6.

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)

A heavenly delicacy

b)

Something unusual or exciting

c)

Something hideous or grotesque

d)

All of the above

7.

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."

a)

A nuisance that distracts people from important tasks

b)

An important system that helps people stay safe

c)

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

d)

All of the above

8.

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.

a)

to respond harshly

b)

to respond without aggression

c)

to not respond at all

d)

all of the above

9.

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.

a)

to raise a false alarm

b)

to make howling sounds

c)

to physically become a wolf

d)

none of the above

10.

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.

a)

an inaccurate prediction

b)

a sign with important technical information

c)

a clear indication of how something will turn out

d)

none of these answers are correct

11.

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 disaster

b)

A person who greets trouble with a cheery disposition

12.

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)

A heavenly delicacy

b)

Something unusual or exciting

13.

What is the meaning of the allusion?

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

a)

His brother is unintelligent

b)

His brother works hard

c)

His brother is intelligent

d)

His brother is lazy

14.

What is the meaning of the allusion?

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

a)

Not wanting to share

b)

Excited about sharing

c)

Throwing them all away

d)

Counting the M&Ms

15.

What is the meaning of the allusion?

We do serious work in the classroom; it's not a Mickey Mouse Club in here!

a)

We don't keep mice

b)

We don't goof off

c)

We love to eat cheese

d)

We don't like working

16.

What is the meaning of the allusion?

Ask me anything; I'm like Google over here.

a)

I can search answers

b)

I know all the answers

c)

I don't know anything

d)

I have some answers

17.

Which myth means a tragic weakness?

a)

The Midas Touch

b)

Herculean

c)

Cupid's Arrow

d)

Achille's Heel

e)

Titan

18.

Which myth means success and good fortune?

a)

The Midas Touch

b)

Herculean

c)

Cupid's Arrow

d)

Achille's Heel

e)

Titan

19.

Which word matches with Herculean Effort?

a)

strength

b)

huge

c)

love

d)

weakness

e)

success

20.

Every business he opens makes loads of money! He's very rich. He must have ____________.

a)

The Midas Touch

b)

Herculean

c)

Cupid's Arrow

d)

Achille's Heel

e)

Titans

21.

Which word matches with Achille's Heel?

a)

strength

b)

huge

c)

love

d)

weakness

e)

success

22.

Swimming for four hours this afternoon and not giving up took a ______________ effort.

a)

atlas

b)

Herculean

c)

Pandora's box

d)

martial

23.

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

24.

In one of Aesop's fables, four animals go hunting under the assumption 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 portion

25.

The comic book superhero Spider-Man possesses a spidey sense that warns him of impending trouble.

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

Allusions

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 19mins

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