Vocabulary Worksheet · Grades 5–7
Allusion Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 5-7 that builds the skill of recognizing ALLUSIONS – brief references to well-known people, places, events, stories, or works of art. Students name the SOURCE of 8 allusions in Section A and write the TRAIT or IDEA each of 6 allusions is communicating in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
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Subject
Vocabulary
Grades
Grades 5–7
Skill Focus
Allusion, figurative language
Lesson Length
20 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
An ALLUSION is a brief reference to a well-known person, place, event, story, or work of art. The writer expects the reader to recognize the reference and use it to picture or understand something. Allusions are a kind of compression: instead of describing a giant in three sentences, the writer can simply say ‘he was a Goliath’ and trust the reader to fill in the rest. Recognizing the SOURCE of an allusion is a hallmark of confident, well-read comprehension.
Section A on page 1 has 8 sentences in a single-column layout, each with one familiar allusion. The set draws from Greek mythology (Hercules, Pandora’s box), the Bible (Garden of Eden), famous historical and scientific figures (Einstein, Waterloo), fairy tales (Cinderella), Shakespeare (Romeo), and famous art (Mona Lisa). For each sentence, the student writes the SOURCE the allusion comes from – the broad category, not necessarily the exact title.
Section B on page 1 has 6 more sentences in the same single-column layout with a different set of allusions: Titanic, Scrooge, Goliath, Sherlock Holmes, Achilles’ heel, and Trojan horse. The Section B task is to write the TRAIT or IDEA the allusion is communicating – that is, what about the source is being applied to the new situation. The reference box at the top of the page defines allusion and walks through one example (‘She has the patience of Job’ – alluding to the Bible story of Job, who endured great suffering with patience). Page 2 is a complete answer key in compact format.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud. Underline ALLUSION and BRIEF REFERENCE. Re-read the Job example and ask students what they know about Job – any background detail helps anchor the idea.
Work Section A item 1 (He has the strength of Hercules) together. The source is GREEK MYTHOLOGY – Hercules is a Greek hero famous for strength.
Assign the rest of Section A independently. Remind students that the answer is the SOURCE category – they do not need to retell the whole story.
Work Section B item 9 (His ego is the size of the Titanic) together. The Titanic was enormous, so the allusion communicates ENORMOUS or HUGE. Note that the Titanic is also famous for sinking – allusions can have multiple layers, but here the writer is emphasizing size.
Use Section B item 13 (Mike’s Achilles’ heel) for closure – Achilles was a Greek hero with a single weakness in his heel, so an Achilles’ heel is your biggest WEAKNESS.
Use the answer key on page 2 for self-check or aide spot-check.
Pair with the Similes and Metaphors Worksheet, Personification Worksheet, and Hyperbole Worksheet so students see allusion in the broader figurative-language family.
Printable Resource
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Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 2 pages · Answer Key
Allusion Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 5-7 that builds the skill of recognizing ALLUSIONS – brief references to well-known people, places, events, stories, or works of art. Students name the SOURCE of 8 allusions in Section A and write the TRAIT or IDEA each of 6 allusions is communicating in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
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