Question

Which accurately describes the figurative language used in this sentence and its purpose?
A. The use of metaphor (“copying an organism’s individual information”) encourages readers to agree with an idea.
B. The use of metaphor (“copying an organism’s individual information”) encourages readers to make mental images of the subject.
C. The use of personification (“some ‘jumping’ genes are nature’s original computer hackers”) helps readers to understand a concept.
D. The use of personification (“some ‘jumping’ genes are nature’s original computer hackers”) helps readers to appreciate the importance of genes.

Answer 1

C. The phrase “some ‘jumping’ genes are nature’s original computer hackers” personifies genes (gives them humanlike agency) and uses that comparison to help readers understand how those genes act — by disrupting, moving, or rewriting DNA much like a hacker tampers with code.