MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

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Enhance your reading skills for the MTEL Communication Literacy Skills Test with engaging quizzes. Dive into flashcards and multiple-choice questions, supported by helpful hints and explanations. Get ready for success on your exam!

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What is a simile?

  1. A figure of speech using direct comparison without "like" or "as"

  2. A figurative expression that requires words such as "like" or "as"

  3. A literal representation of ideas

  4. A type of rhetorical question

The correct answer is: A figurative expression that requires words such as "like" or "as"

A simile is defined as a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things by using connecting words such as "like" or "as." This figure of speech highlights similarities in characteristics, allowing readers to visualize concepts more vividly. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" draws a direct comparison between a person's bravery and a lion's well-known courageous nature. Using "like" or "as" is crucial because it indicates that while the two subjects are different, they share a particular quality that enhances understanding or evokes imagery. The inclusion of these words makes the comparison clear and aids in conveying meaning effectively. This differs from other forms of figurative language, such as metaphors, which make direct comparisons without those linking words.