MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

What is the characteristics of a metaphor?

1. It compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as"

2. It provides literal descriptions only

3. It exaggerates facts for emphasis

4. It lists synonyms in a sentence

The correct answer is: It compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as"

A metaphor is characterized by its ability to draw a direct comparison between two unlike things, thereby equating one to the other in a figurative way. This comparison is made without employing the words "like" or "as," which distinguishes it from a simile. For instance, when someone says "Time is a thief," they are not suggesting that time literally steals, but rather emphasizing the idea that time can take away moments from our lives unexpectedly. This figurative language enhances understanding and evokes emotion by prompting the reader to think more creatively about the relationship between the concepts being compared. The other options do not accurately describe metaphor. Literal descriptions focus purely on explicit meanings without the imaginative connections that metaphors provide. Exaggeration pertains to hyperbole, which uses deliberate overstatements for effect rather than subtle comparisons. Listing synonyms does not involve a comparative element at all, as it merely reflects variations of meaning without the nuanced relationship present in a metaphor.