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Allusion quiz - 2024

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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

2.

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

3.

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

4.

In a catalog that accompanied an exhibit of his work, pop artist Andy Warhol said, "In the future, everybody will be world-famous for fifteen minutes," meaning that fame would be briefly available even to those who did nothing spectacular.

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

Jennifer had her fifteen minutes of fame when her video of kayaking with dolphins went viral.

a)

lengthy experience being famous

b)

extraordinary effort

c)

temporary moment of celebrity status

d)

known by all forever

5.

Joseph Heller coined the term "catch-22" in his 1961 novel of the same name. In the novel, if an army pilot wants to avoid dangerous missions, he must be deemed mentally unfit; however, his desire to stay safe proves his sanity, so he can never be excused from a mission. Heller called this sort of predicament or dilemma a catch-22.

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

Anthony described the situation he was facing with his boss as a catch-22.

a)

win-win

b)

victory

c)

no-win

d)

defeat

6.

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

7.

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

8.

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

9.

An understanding, belief, or information that is understood by an entire culture or society:

a)

Theme

b)

Reference

c)

Collective Conscious

d)

Bias

e)

Zombies ate my brain

10.
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
11.

What does the word "ALLUSION" mean?

a)

hinting at events that will happen later in the story

b)

citing evidence word-for-word, with quotation marks and page numbers

c)

reference to a well-known person, place, thing, or idea of significance

d)

clearly stating the meaning of a word

12.

What should you do if you know that an allusion is being used, but you do not know what it means?

a)

Throw a tantrum

b)

Look it up

c)

Skip it

d)

Take a wild guess

13.
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 
14.

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

15.

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