Give an example of a metaphor and explain its effect on meaning in a passage.

• A. A metaphor makes a comparison without using like or as, e.g., 'Time is a thief,' intensifying how time steals moments.
• B. A metaphor explains a character's thoughts.
• C. A metaphor uses hyperbole.
• D. A metaphor describes a simile.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how a metaphor works and how it shapes meaning is what this item asks you to do. A metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unlike things without using like or as. In the example “Time is a thief,” time is given the role and traits of a thief, which turns time from a neutral, abstract idea into a force that can steal moments. This vivid image shifts how we perceive time, highlighting its preciousness and the sense of loss when moments slip away. The metaphor intensifies meaning by borrowing the qualities of a thief—stealing, hidden, relentless—and applying them to time, which makes the message feel more concrete and urgent.

Other options don’t capture the function of a metaphor. Explaining a character’s thoughts describes a different narrative approach, not how metaphor works. Hyperbole is about exaggeration, a separate figure of speech. Describing a simile would involve using like or as, which is not a metaphor. The best choice demonstrates the defining feature of a metaphor and shows its effect on meaning clearly.