Identify a metaphor.

• A. Her voice was like honey.
• B. Her voice tasted honey.
• C. Her voice was honey itself.
• D. Her voice wrapped around the room.

Answer: (C)

Metaphor involves saying something is another thing, giving it the identity of that thing without using like or as. In the line “Her voice was honey itself,” the voice is claimed to be honey—an exact equivalence rather than a comparison. That direct equation is the essence of a metaphor.

The other options don’t fit as well. Using “like honey” would be a simile, which makes a comparison rather than identifying the voice with honey. Describing the voice as tasting honey gives a sensory image but doesn’t declare that the voice is honey itself. Saying the voice wrapped around the room creates a vivid image or personification, but again it doesn’t establish an identity between the voice and honey.