Allusions
I told my brother not to open the mysterious old box in the attic, but he did it anyway. “Nice going, Pandora,” I said as dust, bugs, and strange papers flew everywhere.
What is the effect of the author calling the character “Pandora”?
A. To show he was careful and curious
B. To compare him to a mythological figure who unleashed trouble
C. To imply he is good at solving problems
D. To describe how he found something valuable
B. To compare him to a mythological figure who unleashed trouble
Trying to get my little brother to clean his room is like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall.
Question:
What does this analogy suggest?
A. It’s a fun activity
B. It’s difficult and frustrating
C. It’s quick and easy
D. It involves food
B. It’s difficult and frustrating
Maria had a busy weekend planned. On Saturday, she needed to clean her apartment, do her laundry, and shop for groceries. Her roommate, on the other hand, spent the day watching TV, scrolling through social media, and she took a long nap. Later that evening, they cooked dinner, watched TV, and ate ice cream.
Which sentence has the correct parallel structure?
Later that evening, they cooked dinner, watched TV, and ate ice cream.
The mayor’s promises sounded noble, but after a few months, the public realized they were just another Trojan horse—pretty on the outside, but full of problems waiting to be unleashed.
What is the purpose of the Trojan horse allusion in this passage?
A. To describe how the mayor helped the city win a battle
B. To suggest the mayor is good at surprises
C. To warn that something seemingly good may actually be harmful
D. To criticize the design of the mayor’s plans
C. To warn that something seemingly good may actually be harmful
Her voice was like a warm blanket on a cold day.
Question:
What feeling is the author trying to convey using this analogy?
A. Her voice is loud
B. Her voice is confusing
C. Her voice is comforting
D. Her voice is cold
C. Her voice is comforting
Which part of this sentence breaks parallel structure?
To be successful in school, a student must stay organized, manage time well, and working hard every day.
A. stay organized
B. manage time well
C. working hard every day
D. The sentence is correct
C. working hard every day
She knew she wasn’t going to the dance with anyone. Still, she entered the gym like Cinderella—confident, radiant, and ready for a magical night.
Question:
What is the purpose of the Cinderella allusion?
A. To show that she feels out of place
B. To suggest she is dressed for a costume party
C. To describe her fairy godmother's arrival
D. To highlight her transformation and confidence
D. To highlight her transformation and confidence
Which of the following is an example of an analogy?
A. The clouds were fluffy.
B. Her heart raced like a hummingbird’s wings.
C. He went to school.
D. The sun was bright.
B. Her heart raced like a hummingbird’s wings.
Identify the sentence with a parallel structure error.
A. The report was detailed, organized, and easy to understand.
B. The presentation explained the problem, offered a solution, and convinced the audience.
C. The coach encouraged practice, discipline, and focus.
D. The students were responsible for gathering data, analyzing results, and to write a conclusion.
D. The students were responsible for gathering data, analyzing results, and to write a conclusion.
He claimed he had no idea who started the prank, but his nose practically grew like Pinocchio’s.
Question:
What does the allusion to Pinocchio imply?
A. He was very curious
B. He was telling the truth
C. He was embarrassed
D. He was lying
D. He was lying
Learning a new language is like planting a tree—it takes time, patience, and care, but eventually it grows strong.
Question:
Why is this analogy effective?
A. It emphasizes the slow but rewarding process of learning
B. It makes learning a language sound easy
C. It shows that language learning happens instantly
D. It describes gardening tips
A. It emphasizes the slow but rewarding process of learning
Which version of the sentence uses correct parallel structure?
A. The speaker was engaging, informative, and had a good sense of humor.
B. The speaker was engaging, informative, and humorous.
C. The speaker engaged, informed, and was funny.
D. The speaker was engaging, informed, and had humor.
B. The speaker was engaging, informative, and humorous.
After Jeremy betrayed his closest friend by reporting him to the principal, he walked the halls like a modern-day Brutus—torn between loyalty and guilt, unsure of how to live with what he'd done.
Question:
What does the allusion to Brutus suggest about Jeremy’s situation?
A. He betrayed someone close to him and feels conflicted
B. He is trying to help his friend
C. He feels proud of his decision
D. He is planning a rebellion
A. He betrayed someone close to him and feels conflicted
Arguing with him is like playing chess with a pigeon—no matter what, he knocks over the pieces and struts around like he won.
Question:
What is the tone of this analogy?
A. Serious and respectful
B. Humorous and critical
C. Sad and regretful
D. Encouraging and optimistic
B. Humorous and critical
Fix the incorrect parallel structure in the sentence below:
Ms. McClendon wants you to take notes carefully, study material frequently, and do your homework every day.
complete homework daily