What Is an Allusion?

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| By Thames
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Quizzes Created: 8157 | Total Attempts: 9,567,281
| Questions: 15 | Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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1. “She had the patience of Job.” What does this mean?

Explanation

The sentence compares her patience to Job, a Biblical figure known for extreme patience. It means she was very patient, not lazy or tired.

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About This Quiz
What Is An Allusion? - Quiz

Allusions allow writers and speakers to reference familiar people, events, stories, or ideas without explaining them directly. In this allusion quiz, you’ll learn what an allusion is and how it relies on shared knowledge to add depth and meaning. You’ll practice recognizing common references from history, mythology, and popular culture,... see moreand see how allusions enrich language by connecting ideas quickly and powerfully.
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2. What is an allusion?

Explanation

An allusion is an indirect reference to something familiar that helps create deeper meaning.

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3. Which sentence contains an allusion?

Explanation

“Einstein” alludes to intelligence and science genius.

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4. An allusion must explain the reference.

Explanation

The writer expects readers to understand the reference without extra explanation.

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5. Which is NOT an allusion?

Explanation

Choice C is not an allusion because it describes a normal action with no reference to history, mythology, or literature. The other choices all refer to well-known characters or stories, which makes them allusions.

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6. Match the allusion to its meaning:

Explanation

Each allusion refers to a well-known character and the trait they are famous for. Einstein is known for intelligence, so it means a genius. Scrooge is known for being greedy, so it means a selfish or stingy person. Romeo is known for romance, so it means a romantic person.

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7. Which type of allusion is “He was her knight in shining armor”?

Explanation

“He was her knight in shining armor” comes from stories and fairy tales, where knights rescue or protect others. Because it refers to a common literary or fairy-tale idea, it is a literary allusion, not historical, mythological, or scientific.

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8. Authors use allusion to:

Explanation

Authors use allusion to add deeper meaning and connections for readers who recognize the reference, making the writing richer and more engaging.

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9. An allusion often depends on the reader’s ________ of history or culture.

Explanation

An allusion only makes sense if the reader has knowledge of history or culture, because it refers to something outside the text that the reader is expected to recognize.

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10. “His weakness was his Achilles’ heel.” What does this mean?

Explanation

“Achilles’ heel” is an allusion to a story where a strong hero had one weak spot. The sentence means he had one small weakness, not that there was anything wrong with his feet.

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11. Which of these alludes to a fairy tale?

Explanation

Choice A is correct because Cinderella is a fairy-tale character. The sentence alludes to her story to show feeling special or transformed.

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12. “He acted like a Scrooge at Christmas.” refers to:

Explanation

Scrooge is known for being greedy and selfish, especially around Christmas. The sentence means the person acted stingy or uncaring.

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13. Allusions can come from books, myths, history, or religion.

Explanation

This is true because allusions can refer to many sources, including books, myths, historical events, and religious stories.

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14. Which sentence has a modern allusion?

Explanation

Choice A is a modern allusion because Elvis Presley is a famous real person from modern culture.

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15. “Don’t act like Romeo!” means:

Explanation

Romeo is known for being overly romantic and emotional. The sentence means someone should stop acting so dramatic or romantic.

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“She had the patience of Job.” What does this mean?
What is an allusion?
Which sentence contains an allusion?
An allusion must explain the reference.
Which is NOT an allusion?
Match the allusion to its meaning:
Which type of allusion is “He was her knight in shining armor”?
Authors use allusion to:
An allusion often depends on the reader’s ________ of history or...
“His weakness was his Achilles’ heel.” What does this mean?
Which of these alludes to a fairy tale?
“He acted like a Scrooge at Christmas.” refers to:
Allusions can come from books, myths, history, or religion.
Which sentence has a modern allusion?
“Don’t act like Romeo!” means:
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