Recognizing Allusions Quiz

1. Which of these is an allusion?

This place feels like the Garden of Eden.

The field is green.

I read a book.

She likes flowers.

Refers to the perfect paradise in the Bible.

Explanation

Refers to the perfect paradise in the Bible.

2. “He met his Waterloo” means:

He faced his biggest defeat.

He won a prize.

He traveled far.

He studied history.

“Met his Waterloo” refers to a famous historical defeat. It means he faced his biggest or final defeat, not that he traveled or studied history.

Explanation

“Met his Waterloo” refers to a famous historical defeat. It means he faced his biggest or final defeat, not that he traveled or studied history.

3. “She was as wise as Athena” is an allusion to:

Greek goddess of wisdom

A famous queen

A Shakespeare character

A scientist

Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, so the sentence means she was very wise.

Explanation

Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, so the sentence means she was very wise.

4. Allusions can be found in songs, movies, and poems.

True

False

This is true because allusions appear in many forms of media, including songs, movies, poems, and books—not just old stories.

Explanation

This is true because allusions appear in many forms of media, including songs, movies, poems, and books—not just old stories.

5. Which line alludes to history?

“She had a Mona Lisa smile.”

“He opened the window.”

“They ran across the field.”

“She painted a picture.”

Refers to the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

Explanation

Refers to the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

6. “Don’t fly too close to the sun,” said his coach. This alludes to:

The myth of Icarus

The weather

Science fiction

A warning sign

The phrase refers to the myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and failed. It warns someone not to take dangerous risks.

Explanation

The phrase refers to the myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and failed. It warns someone not to take dangerous risks.

7. “He’s like a modern-day Picasso.” means:

He paints or creates art very well.

He loves music.

He acts in movies.

He studies math.

Calling someone a “modern-day Picasso” means they are very talented at art, like the famous painter.

Explanation

Calling someone a “modern-day Picasso” means they are very talented at art, like the famous painter.

8. Which sentence uses a Biblical allusion?

He was her rock in hard times.

The car started quickly.

The snow fell fast.

She baked a cake.

“He was her rock” is a Biblical allusion that suggests strength, support, and dependability during difficult times.

Explanation

“He was her rock” is a Biblical allusion that suggests strength, support, and dependability during difficult times.

9. “She felt like Dorothy in Oz.” What does this allusion suggest?

She was lost or far from home.

She liked dogs.

She met a wizard.

She wore red shoes.

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz is far from home and feels lost. This allusion suggests feeling confused or out of place.

Explanation

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz is far from home and feels lost. This allusion suggests feeling confused or out of place.

10. “He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.” refers to:

Atlas, the Titan who carried the heavens

A bodybuilder

A worker

A king

The sentence refers to Atlas, a mythological figure who carried the heavens, symbolizing a heavy burden or great responsibility.

Explanation

The sentence refers to Atlas, a mythological figure who carried the heavens, symbolizing a heavy burden or great responsibility.

11. “She looked like Venus at the dance.” means:

She looked beautiful like the goddess of love.

She was shy.

She was tired.

She wore red.

Venus is the goddess of love and beauty, so the sentence means she looked very beautiful.

Explanation

Venus is the goddess of love and beauty, so the sentence means she looked very beautiful.

12. Which sentence includes a literary allusion?

He acted like Sherlock Holmes when he solved the mystery.

The room was dark.

The clock ticked loudly.

The sky was cloudy.

Sherlock Holmes is a character from literature, so the sentence uses a literary allusion to suggest careful thinking or problem-solving.

Explanation

Sherlock Holmes is a character from literature, so the sentence uses a literary allusion to suggest careful thinking or problem-solving.

13. Allusions help readers:

Make connections and understand meaning quickly.

Ignore history.

Forget details.

Avoid imagination.

Allusions help readers make connections quickly and understand meaning by referring to familiar stories, people, or ideas.

Explanation

Allusions help readers make connections quickly and understand meaning by referring to familiar stories, people, or ideas.

14. “He was her rock” alludes to ________.

Calling someone “her rock” means that person represents strength or stability, someone dependable she can rely on.

Explanation

Calling someone “her rock” means that person represents strength or stability, someone dependable she can rely on.

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15. Match the allusion to its source:

Hercules

Scrooge

Einstein

Hercules comes from Greek mythology, where he is known for great strength. Scrooge comes from literature, specifically a famous story about greed. Einstein comes from history/science, where he is known for intelligence.

Explanation

Hercules comes from Greek mythology, where he is known for great strength. Scrooge comes from literature, specifically a famous story about greed. Einstein comes from history/science, where he is known for intelligence.

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