Question

what does the allusion in this text suggest?
the swordsman achieved a pyrrhic victory, defeating his opponent while incurring mortal wounds of his own.
the victory was quick and efficient.
the victory was unexpected.
the victory came at a great cost.

Explanation:

A "Pyrrhic victory" alludes to a victory that is won at such a great cost that it is tantamount to a defeat. In the text, the swordsman defeated his opponent but received mortal wounds, so the allusion suggests the victory had a heavy cost. The first option is incorrect as mortal wounds don't imply efficiency. The second is incorrect as there's no indication of unexpectedness. The third matches the meaning of a Pyrrhic victory.

Answer:

The victory came at a great cost.