A simile uses:

**The reasoning** A **simile** is a figure of speech that directly *compares* two different things by using the words **"like"** or **"as"**. Example: "Her smile is **like** sunshine" or "He runs **as** fast **as** a cheetah." The key identifying feature is those connector words — "like" or "as" — which signal you're making a comparison. Without them, it's not a simile (it might be a metaphor instead, which says something *is* something else directly). **Why the wrong options tempt you** Options A, B, and D ("Is", "Are", "Was") are linking verbs — they connect subjects to descriptions. You'll find them in sentences with similes ("Her smile **is** like sunshine"), but they don't *define* what makes it a simile. The simile part is the **"like"** — not the "is". These options try to confuse you by showing up *near* similes, but they're not the special ingredient. **Quick takeaway** When you spot **"like"** or **"as"** making a comparison between two things, you've found a simile — it's that simple!