Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is metaphor?

1. Comparing two things with like or as

2. Using exaggeration for effect

3. Giving human characteristics to nonhuman things

4. Comparing two things without like or as

The correct answer is: Comparing two things without like or as

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things by stating that one thing is another, thereby highlighting a particular quality or aspect of the subject. This form of comparison does not use "like" or "as," which distinguishes it from a simile. For example, saying "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from our lives, evoking a deeper understanding of time's fleeting nature. The other options reflect different figurative language types. The first option describes a simile, which uses "like" or "as" for comparison. The second one refers to hyperbole, where exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect, and the third option describes personification, which attributes human traits to nonhuman entities. These definitions collectively illustrate the unique role of a metaphor in enriching language and expressing complex ideas.