Allusion a Day

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.

• fortunate

• unusual

• unfortunate

• usual

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.

• generous

• kind

• stingy

• jealous

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.

• an equal amount

• a tiny bit

• an even split

• the largest portion

George Orwell's dystopian 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 benevolent government that takes care of its people

• a democratic society with laws protecting privacy

• a ruler that allows freedom of speech

• a threatening power that monitors all aspects of people's lives

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 play-off in the semifinals proved to be the team's Waterloo.

• final defeat

• hard-played win

• tie

• no score

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.

• sense of smell

• sense of danger

• sense of wonder

• sense of pride

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.

• lengthy experience being famous

• extraordinary effort

• temporary moment of celebrity status

• known by all forever

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.

• win-win

• victory

• no-win

• defeat

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 person who spreads alarming news of imminent danger

• a person who greets trouble with optimism

• a person who is slow to adapt

• a person who spreads rumors about others

Don Quixote is the main character in Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's novel of the same name. Quixote cannot see the world as it truly is; in his overly romanticized view, inns are castles and windmills are giants.

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

The mayoral candidate was widely viewed as quixotic, so it was no surprise that he lost by a substantial margin.

• intentionally misleading

• practical and realistic

• naively idealistic

• cruel and judgmental