Allusion Practice

Read the source of the allusion. During the Middle Ages, knights searched far and wide for years to find the Holy Grail. They believed the Holy Grail was the cup that Jesus used at his last meal with his followers. What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below? Dr. Cameron said that finding a cure for this deadly disease is her holy grail.

• something that becomes greater in value over time

• something wanted very much but hard to get

• something that solves a problem or difficulty

If I’m not home by midnight, my car might turn into a pumpkin.

The italicized line alludes to which movie?

• The Lion King

• Harry Potter

• Alice in Wonderland

• Cinderella

She smiled like a Cheshire cat after breaking the vase on purpose.

The italicized line alludes to which movie?

• The Wizard of Oz

• Alice in Wonderland

• The Little Mermaid

• Harry Potter

She felt like she had a golden ticket.

The italicized word alludes to which movie?

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

• The Little Mermaid

• Cinderella

• The Fast and the Furious

I wish I could just click my heels.

The italicized line alludes to which movie?

• Frozen

• The Lion King

• The Wizard of Oz

• Alaadin

His smile is like kryptonite to me.

The italicized word alludes to which movie?

• Beetlejuice

• Harry Potter

• Batman

• Superman

My math teacher is he who must not be named

The italicized line alludes to which movie?

• King Arthur

• The Hobbit

• Harry Potter

• Lord of the Rings

Identify the allusion in the following sentence: 'His Achilles' heel proved to be his lack of patience.'

• Achilles' heel

• Their Achilles' nose

• His elbow's weakness

• Her knee's strength

Identify the allusion in the following sentence: 'The new discovery was a real Pandora's box.'

• Pandora's box

• Jack and the Beanstalk

• The Sword in the Stone

• The Emperor's New Clothes

What is the difference between an allusion and a metaphor?

• An allusion is a reference to something else, while a metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things.

• An allusion is a comparison between two unlike things, while a metaphor is a reference to something else.

• An allusion is a type of figurative language, while a metaphor is a type of literary device.

• An allusion is used to create imagery, while a metaphor is used to convey a hidden meaning.