Engish STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What is it called when two unlike things are compared without "like" or "as"?

1. Dramatic irony

2. Simile

3. Metaphor

4. Third-person limited

The correct answer is: Metaphor

When two unlike things are compared directly without using "like" or "as," it is referred to as a metaphor. This figure of speech allows for a more implicit comparison, suggesting that one thing is another to highlight similarities between their traits or characteristics. For example, saying "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from us, even though time and a thief are fundamentally different. In contrast, a simile explicitly uses "like" or "as" to make a comparison, while dramatic irony involves a situation where the audience knows something that the characters do not. Third-person limited is a narrative perspective that focuses on the thoughts and experiences of one character without delving into others. Thus, the definition of a metaphor clearly aligns with the criteria set in the question.