Allusion Quiz: Define the Device

1. “She had the patience of Job.” What does this mean?

She was lazy.

She was very patient, like the Biblical Job.

She liked her job.

She was tired.

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

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.

2. What is an allusion?

A direct quote from another story

A reference to a well-known person, place, or event

A type of rhyme in poetry

A sentence that gives instructions

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

Explanation

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

3. Which sentence contains an allusion?

He was a real Einstein during the test.

She was tall for her age.

The sky looked blue and clear.

He read his book quietly.

“Einstein” alludes to intelligence and science genius.

Explanation

“Einstein” alludes to intelligence and science genius.

4. An allusion must explain the reference.

True

False

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

Explanation

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

5. Which is NOT an allusion?

He was as strong as Hercules.

She opened Pandora’s box of problems.

The cat chased the mouse.

He acted like a real Romeo.

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.

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.

6. Match the allusion to its meaning:

Einstein

Scrooge

Romeo

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.

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”?

Historical

Mythological

Literary or fairy tale

Scientific

“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.

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.

8. Authors use allusion to:

Add deeper meaning for readers

Replace dialogue

Explain every detail

Describe settings only

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

Explanation

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

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

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.

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?

He had sore feet.

He had one small weakness.

He was a hero.

He wore sandals.

“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.

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.