Question

The startup pitch was a disorganized mess of disconnected ideas. The presentation was a train wreck from the very first slide. Identify the figure of speech.

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

Hint:

Remember the key difference: A Simile uses "like" or "as" for comparison (e.g., "brave as a lion"), while a Metaphor makes a direct comparison (e.g., "he is a lion").

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the figure of speech used in the sentence "The presentation was a train wreck". A figure of speech is a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the given options in the context of the sentence:

Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as". The sentence "The presentation was a train wreck" directly equates the "presentation" with a "train wreck" to emphasize how disastrous and chaotic it was. This is a direct comparison, hence it is a metaphor.

Hyperbole: This is an exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. While calling a presentation a "train wreck" is an exaggeration, its primary function here is a direct comparison to convey the specific quality of being a disaster. The core device is metaphorical.

Simile: A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as". If the sentence were "The presentation was \textit{like} a train wreck," it would be a simile. Since these words are absent, it is not a simile.

Personification: This involves giving human qualities or abilities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. The presentation is not being given human traits.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The sentence makes a direct comparison between the presentation and a train wreck to highlight its disastrous nature without using "like" or "as". This is the definition of a metaphor. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.