Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What sort of literary device typically compares two topics using words such as "like" or "as"?

1. Allusion

2. Personification

3. Irony

4. Simile

The correct answer is: Simile

Simile is a literary device that compares two topics using words such as "like" or "as." Other options such as allusion, personification, and irony do not typically use these words in their comparisons. Allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or thing to make a deeper meaning. Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. Irony is when something happens that is unexpected or contradictory to what is intended. These options do not usually use direct comparisons with words like "like" or "as," which is why they are not the correct answer for this question.