AFCT English Complete Practice Test Guide

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things in a way that highlights a specific similarity between them, specifically by using the words "like" or "as." For example, saying "as brave as a lion" is a simile because it directly compares bravery to that of a lion using "as." This makes the comparison explicit and easy for the reader or listener to understand.

The other options do not define similes correctly. Some options confuse similes with metaphors, which are distinct in their structure. A metaphor implies that one thing is another (e.g., "Time is a thief"), while a simile always includes a comparative word to maintain the distinction between the two subjects being compared. The reference to technical terms in one of the options doesn't pertain to figurative language distinctions and isn't relevant to the differences being asked about. Likewise, the comparison of length between metaphors and similes is not a defining trait of either, making that option inaccurate as well.