Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

What is a metaphor?

1. A figure of speech comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'

2. A direct comparison not using 'like' or 'as'

3. An exaggerated statement for emphasis

4. A narrative interruption showing past events

The correct answer is: A direct comparison not using 'like' or 'as'

A metaphor is defined as a direct comparison that does not use "like" or "as" to relate two different things. This figure of speech implies that one thing is another, often to illustrate a point or to enhance understanding through imagery. For example, saying "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from our lives, without using any comparative words. Comparing this to the other choices, the first option describes a simile, which indeed uses "like" or "as" for comparison. The third option refers to hyperbole, which is used to create emphasis through exaggeration, and the fourth option describes a flashback, a narrative technique that interrupts the current story to provide background information. Therefore, the definition provided in the correct choice succinctly captures the essence of a metaphor and its function in language.