Which figure of speech makes a direct comparison without using like or as?

• A. Metaphor
• B. Simile
• C. Analogy
• D. Hyperbole

Answer: (A)

Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison by saying something is something else, without using like or as. This creates a sharp, immediate image or idea by equating two things in a single statement. For example, saying “The classroom was a zoo” treats the room as if it were a noisy, wild place, not merely saying it was like a zoo. That direct identification is what characterizes a metaphor.

A simile, by contrast, uses like or as to draw a comparison, such as “The day was like a bright sun,” which keeps the two things distinct rather than declaring them identical. An analogy goes further by explaining a relationship between two pairs of things, often in a more extended comparison. Hyperbole is exaggeration used for emphasis, not a direct, literal comparison.